New ACL with allograft - 1 Dec 2010

[lwillson]

Hi everyone,

This is a new thread in advance of the big day.  Some of you may remember I had an arthroscopy in July 2010.  Diagnosis was torn ACL and local cartilage.  Have spent the last 4 months getting knee strength up to something more useful, and now doing 60-70km bike rides fairly easily, albeit subject to the English weather.  Surgery is penned in for the afternoon of Tues 30th November, and out of hospital on Wed 1st Dec.  Not quite sure which one is declared "Day 1" with a new ACL, so I have elected the first of the month for the honours.  Have managed to book time of work until the new year so lots of spare time for physio and day time telly whilst flat on my back in the lounge 

What a way to spend Christmas!  Does this make me the last ACLr of 2010??

Will keep you posted on progress once this is underway....

Lawrence

[hibiscus_tea]

Good luck!!!!
I just went through an ACL (allograft) surgery myself. 
 

[lwillson]

Hi Hibiscus - many thanks for your good wishes.  It's now a week to go, so I am both excited to get this over with (??!) and a little nervous.  Had a long day in the swimming pool today and the knee feels a little tetchy, so I remain convinced this is the right thing to do, even if December is written off to physio on the couch 

[Snowy]

I must have missed this when you posted the original thread - hello again, and wow - surgery is just around the corner! Will be thinking of you and wishing you good luck on the big day. Very glad to hear that you were able to get a decent amount of time off work - you'll really appreciate having the full month to focus on your recovery. Hopefully with an allograft you'll be spared some of the discomfort that those of us who had autografts had to deal with from the donor site.

Will look forward to hearing how it all goes. Enjoy your last week of mobility!

[tez27]

Hey you I wondered what had become of you and the dodgy acl looks like you are indeed the last acl'r of 2010 not too long now to wait, hope it all goes well and I will look forward to hearing all the gory details.
Take care Tez 

[lwillson]

Hi Tez and Snowy - yes, me again!  As you say, the last week of mobility...gets a bit depressing looking at it that way    Have been so piled up with work this week that the days are zooming by and there has been little time left to think about next week.  I have a list of things to do over the weekend to get the house in order for Xmas, including Xmas tree shopping, yippee, that mean the surgery should just turn up and "happen".  Then I'll waje up post op and feel a tad more grumpy, but happy that the bottom of the trough has been and gone, and the only way is up - alebit with a bit of a journey ahead - as you of course well know, and both of you are really doing well.  Set the standard for the rest of us!!

[sherwooa]

Just got through ACLr w/allograft myself on Oct. 28th and I'm walking around crutchless/braceless, driving and in full rehab swing at this point, so the non-mobile thing will only last for so long.  Best of luck with the upcoming surgery and keep us posted!

[hibiscus_tea]

Lawrence,

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!!!!  We'll be waiting for your recovery update!

- Tea

[Snowy]

Indeed! In fact by my count it's actually tomorrow where you are already, as we're 8 hours behind the UK. Best of luck - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly, and look forward to hearing that you've made it safely through to the other side. Make sure you have a stack of books, DVDs and a laptop handy for the first few days.

[steved]

Good luck! You'll be good! Just think positive and know its only temporary!

[lwillson]

Hi Steve, Tea, Snowy, and all. 

Many thanks for all the kinds words.  Have now munched the last muffin and drunk the last pint of water, at least until dinner time anyway.  Biggest challenge at the moment is the local weather - it has snowed over night and so public transport all gets a bit squiffy and I have crossed all fingers that the hospital team all arrive in advance of knocking me out    Next posting due at point of waking.  Lucidity not assured but will try 

[tez27]

I will be thinking of you and paying all goes well, and the snow dosn't cause any delays with your op. look forward to hearing how your doing.
Take care Tez 

[lwillson]

Just come out of surgery and recovery room, wireless broadband in the hospital, so though here goes....  Apparently all went well - saw the surgeon briefly in the post op area who said everything was well.  Guess I'll have a longer chat with him in due course.

So, back pedalling to the early stages, I was in here at about 11am having walked down through the snow from the station.  Was met progressively by the ward nurse (lovely Irish lady), the physio (very nice too), the anaesthetist, and the OS.  Since am fairly yound, mids 30s, I think everyone kind of said that "he's OK, get him in theatre".  Turns out I was at the top of the list for the afternoon procedures and that was the signal to get changed into the really tasty stockings/gown/paper pants outfit, and was then taken around to theatre.  Usual drill at that point, flat on your back, a pipe in the back of the hand, gas over the mounth, and the progressive cold chill heading up the arm.  Then the world went kind of fuzzy....

2hrs later, woke up in the recovery rooms surround by a bevvy of staff all poking and prodding me, pipes everywhere.  Could feel really fuzzy but was determined to shake off the anaesthesia.  OS came past to say that all went well, and he dropped a DVD of the procedure onto my blanket for late afternoon viewing, perhaps one for XMas day when the folks are round    Then got whooshed upstairs back to my room, absoluetly clamouring for water, and now stuffing my way through sandwiches, cofee, and biscuits.  Cryocuff is on, with ankle pump devices whirringa way gently.  Pain seems reasonable but then it is early days at the moment.  Time for some kip, but will kep you all posted.  Many thanks for all the great wishes and thoughts earliuer. 

Lawrence
xx

[Snowy]

Welcome to the other side, and hello new ACL! So glad all went well. Sounds like you're in great shape for so soon after surgery (and wireless broadband in hospital - wow! I was stuck updating via 3G in the recovery room.) The fact that you're eating already sounds like a very good sign. And you seem 100% lucid. 

Hope you have a comfortable night and the pain stays under control. The Cryocuff will be your best friend for the next little while.

Take care, and congrats again!

[hibiscus_tea]

Yay! Glad to hear everything went well!  Now... onto recovery and rehab!!

Yes, the cryocuff will become your bff!! 

Is it typical for patients to stay overnight at the hospital in the UK after ACL surgery?  As far as I know, most people here (in the US) are sent home that same day.

My OS didn't even come see me after the surgery. She talked to my hubby, though.  I think I was too out of it! Hahhha.  I wish I got a DVD!!! I only got a bunch of photos! 

What is "kip"?  :p