Question - ACL Reconstruction (continued pain)

by Very Sore Leg
(Vic)

I am seeing a surgeon in a week and want to know what to expect. I have a complete disruption of my ACL with bony contusions, and a grade 1 injury to my MCL. This happened over 8 weeks ago now and I am sill in pain.

I get aches constantly, cannot completely straighten out my leg, and definitely cannot bend it backwards. I am going thru the public system as I don't have private insurance and have been told by many people I could be waiting up to a year. I don't think I can handle that at all, I mean I'm going insane now.

I have it in a zimmer splint constantly, sometimes I will sleep with it on if I am having a rough night. I have lost 8 kilos, the pain killers have decreased my appetite and I am extremely frustrated so I get very stressed and only mange about 6 hours of broken sleep a night!

I can not wait 12 more months. Is this injury serious enough for them to want to do surgery?

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Question - ACL Reconstruction (continued pain)

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Jun 04, 2008
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Rehab first then surgery...
by: Bart - SII

So sorry to hear about your injury and current situation. It sounds like you are in desperate need of some type of rehabilitation at the very least, and possibly surgery for the best outcome.

ACL reconstructions are the best option for the long term health of the knee, regardless of whether or not you play sports. But you really need some rehabilitation prior to surgery to help get as much of your motion back, as well as reducing your pain and swelling. The better your knee is before surgery, the easier the recovery process is.

I would look through the site at the ACL information. It may help to reduce your pain while you wait to see your surgeon. And once you do get in to see the doctor, make sure you talk to them about rehabilitation prior to surgery - if nothing else that should help to reduce your pain and make the wait for surgery bearable.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

Jun 04, 2008
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Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your quick response. I am actually in Australia and found this websit just by browsing the net. I injured my knee playing babsketball, and if possible i would like to be able to play again one day. Im only 28 years old (female) so i still have a few good sporting years left. I will look into some Physiotherapy before surgery i think, if it helps me then great! thanks again.