Surgery experience and first 3 days post-surgery

by Dani Heywood
(Princeton Jct, NJ)

I tore my ACL 4 years ago and just re-habbed it with PT and it was doing so well I opted not to have the surgery, but 4 years later it gave out on vacation and continued to give me trouble. I decided to do the surgery at that point which took place on Sept 15th 2009. I was petrified about the surgery and all the potential things that could go wrong but the surgery itself was much less stressful than I thought it would be.
I had a femoral nerve block and was concerned about the fact it goes in your groin and the potential pain. I was sedated for it and remember it but didn't experience any pain and you can keep your underwear on so it wasn't even embarassing. The IV was more painful (and even that was just like giving a blood sample).
When I woke up I had a LOT of pain in the back of the knee but some morphine helped (the femoral nerve block only helps the front of the knee).
The first two days I was up and down- the pain was tolerable with the percoset and I was luck I didn't get any nausea. I found sleeping really difficult as I'm not used to lying on my back, so I've been sleeping propped up on the counch which is easier as I can at least lean my upper body against the side of the couch while keeping my leg straight and elevated.
I got on the CPM machine and did straight leg raises the next day and started PT two days after surgery. It was painful because your knee isn't used to bending but the physicial thrapist told me I already had full extension and 65 degrees ROM. The key for me was having strong quad muscles so don't neglect that before surgery and keep your leg straight when you're sitting around-I actually have a pressure point on my heel.
I did more leg exercises today which were painful but I know will help me get to 110 degree ROM.
More PT tomorrow.
The worst thing for me was hopping in to the shower and dealing with steps- but after I've done it you just have to laugh at yourself and understand it won't be for ever :)