17 Weeks Post-Op ACLr Allograft (BPTB) & Meniscus Trim

[sherwooa]

Thanks Tez!

T-minus 1 day now...

[sherwooa]

Had my procedure this morning...all seemed to go well.   Got an ACL allograft and partial (25%) medial meniscectomy and very slight partial (3%) lateral meniscectomy.  Got a femoral nerve block and general anethesia.  Was a bit nauseous and vagal for a couple of hours after I woke up, but feeling better now and I'm home resting and icing.

I'll start a post-op diary in that new diary section.

[steved]

Sweet! I'm glad to hear it all went well buddy! Good to see you're able to come on here and keep us posted as well. So how's the pain & how well are you able to get around so far? I'm scheduled for Tuesday! Anxious!

[sherwooa]

Pain was a bit rough last night as the nerve block wore off, and I took my percocet throughout the night, but since this morning has been much better, and I actually haven't taken the Percocet since 6am (11 hours now).  I've only taken 4 advil all day. 

I got up a few times last night on the crutches and did OK except for one trip to the bathroom when I got lightheaded and blacked out (yikes!).  My 5'1" wife somehow caught my 6' frame and put me gently on the ground.  I don't even remember how I got there and she has no idea how she managed to catch me.  Been getting around better today - no dizzy episodes and been able to put a little bit of weight on the leg too.  Today has been going much better.  Been using the CPM machine today too, up to 30 degrees flexion.  The sensation is a bit weird as the bandages rub through the flexing and I feel a bit of tightness, but probably from some swelling.  Been elevating and icing as much as possible.

Hoping to drag my butt downstairs in a little while to hang w/the family.  We'll see how it goes!

[Daveyboy]

I hope you appreciate what your wife has done/is doing...some of us dont have that anymore.

[sherwooa]

I hope you appreciate what your wife has done/is doing...some of us dont have that anymore.

Oh, trust me, I do!

[sherwooa]

Today is much better than yesterday.  Getting up and around much more regularly now and even putting some weight on the leg, which feels pretty good.  The pain is minimal and I haven't taken any percocet since yesterday morning.  Using the CPM and doing my leg exercises and feeling pretty good overall.  Things are definitely looking up!

[sherwooa]

A quick update on day 4 - met with OS today for follow-up.  Got the bandages off and OS said knee looked good, with only a little fluid around it.  Said I could ditch the crutches and take off the brace at certain times (using CPM, sleeping, watching TV, etc.)  Said I should be able to drop the brace at next appt (next Wed) and that I could begin showering (sweet).

Flexion now at 50* on the CPM and I feel like I could do more, but OS told me not to rush it so I don't have any setbacks.  Only an occasional Advil now for pain, which is minimal - no painkillers since day 1.

steve - Best of luck of tomorrow.  I know you're probably a bit nervous and anxious at this point, as I was, but it will be over before you know it, and if you're going under general anesthesia like I did, it will seem like time travel!  Let us know how it goes!

[steved]

Day 2! Procedure went well, like you said Sherwooa, woke up like "where am i"? Haha. There wasn't too much damage other than the torn ACL, they also trimmed my meniscus a tad bit but nothing crazy. Everything's been ok. Had a tough time sleeping last night, not so much due to pain as it was more due to discomfort trying to sleep still on my back. I've been taking vicodin throughout the day but hoping i wont need to tomorrow. been getting around the apt on crutches, icing and elevating 24/7. i can put a lil bit of weight on it but still a kind of sore. ive got my follow up on friday morning so hoping to feel a little better tonight and tomorrow morning. Ive been drinking a concoction of arnica tea and a splash of cranberry juice. The arnica tea "allegedly" helps minimize swelling so i figure it wont hurt to give it a shot and drink it, doesn't taste bad anyhow.

This VQ cooling machine kicks ass. definitely super comforting. Hope you're feeling better today Sherwooa. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow!

[sherwooa]

Hey steve!  Welcome to the other side.   Glad to hear everything went well and that you're already up and around.  Keep on that ice and elevating...it definitely helps - that VQ thing is pretty cool.  I still have some swelling, which tends to drain down a bit into the knee when I stand, but the pain stops after a minute or so.  Walking around pretty well now, and able to stand in the shower, but still having to stay in the brace until next week.  Definitely feeling better though and ROM is increasing daily, so you should look forward to each day getting better!

Hope your sleep gets better - mine did after the first night.  Be well!

[steved]

Day 15!!!
Slowly but surely getting my flexion back. Just beyond the 90 degree mark. Slight swelling but nothing too crazy. Definitely have some muscle atrophy which is weird to see but working on gaining that back once my ROM is normal. Scarring is minimal, painis only present when working on flexion. Bearing a lot of weight on my leg though still on crutches for precaution. Everyday has gotten better. I hope you all are having a great recovery! This has been and will continue to be a challenging period in our lives but im sure it will help us appreciate our overall health once we're good to go! I can't wait to be on the pitch playing footy again! Still got a long way to go so all i can do is work hard at being in the best shape of my life heading back into the game. Best of luck to you all! Cheers!

[sherwooa]

Awesome, Steve.  Glad it's going well.  Yes, this is certainly a challenging time, but I always look at it and say it could have been worse.   

Keep on trucking...

[tez27]

Hi Steved sounds like that things are going well for you, as you say it is a challenge but as long as you keep at working on extension and flex at this stage befor you know it you will be throwing those crutches away and moving on to the next stage of rehabing the knee.
Take care Tez 

[steved]

Exactly 9 weeks today! Feeling great! ALMOST normal though not quite. The swelling has gone down tremendously & my ROM is JUST beyond 140(150-goal). PT is going well. Started some hop activities today and hopefully some jogging/running stuff in about 3 weeks! My leg still gets a little sore at the end of the day but not too bad. I've been going to the gym on my own time to keep up with the stationary bike stuff and also hitting up their pool for some workouts in the water. All in all I'm feeling a lot better now and I can't wait to be back playing footy again. Still a few months away but just glad to be feeling as good as i am. Hope you are all well.

[steved]

Exactly 17 weeks today. Feeling great! Was given the OK green light to start light jogging and have been doing really well with my ladder/sports cord running. Still gotta build up my quad & hamstring a lot more but ive gained some definition again. Everyday stuff is feeling "normal" and the swelling is minimal. I have my follow-up with my OS on Monday so hoping he feels everythings looks good! It's been a crazy ride but it's almost over. I can finally see an end to all this madness.