repaired ACL, smoking and drinking?

[porky]

Hey guys, I had my ACL repaired on the 17th of December, with a patella tendon graft.

I am just wondering, when is it safe for me to drink alcohol again? And when am I able to smoke again, without negative impact on the knee?

[Rennschnecke]

Hi Porky

You should refrain from alcohol so long as you are on medication that says it is contraindicated.

There is a lot of research to indicate that smoking reduces the oxygen flow in your body and will inhibit recovery from any surgery.  Good blood flow is important for the integration of your new graft and will help with the rehab to strengthen your knee and gain stability.  It's ultimately your choice, but I'd suggest stopping smoking permanently.  Hands up – I'm a Stop Smoking Adviser so I think you should just take this as an opportunity to stop altogether.  If you really want to smoke, then you should stop smoking until your graft has fully healed (ideally for 1 year but 6 months may do). 

Others may have differing opinions.

[porky]

Firstly thanks for your quick feedback. I am on no medication, so it's good to know that I can enjoy a few drinks with some friends now.

re the smoking: I am not a smoker but I will often have a few ciggarettes when I'm drinking, usually once a month or so. I know there is a great chance that it wouldn't be beneficial for the graft so I wanted to check first.

Cheers

[cloudswinger]

I've had friends injure their acls after drinking too much doing stupid things, or just stumbling.

[porky]

that's definitely another factor, cheers

[bean11]

G,day porky I found out the hardway that smoking and/or drinking actualy kills or at best inhibits all baby bone cell re-growth, I luv to have a burbon or two & a smoke! now just found through a CT scan what 6 months of X-rays did not ! when they can fit me in im going back for a Bone graft as I had no internal bone growth in that 6 months, my wife is a RN + the PT was unaware of this, so i have also checked from many other sites to come up with the fact that it does inhibit baby bone/skin/tissue cell growth. good luck from Stephen.

[porky]

So basically, no smoking until I can get back to full sports playing?

[Lottiefox]

Why not use this enforced time away from smoking to STAY off them? I'm always puzzled why people who play sports and keep fit want to stuff smoke into their lungs, the very organs that need to work harder!

I'm an ex smoker and wouldn't go back now (even with plenty of drinks!) if you paid me. Vile. Smelly. Lethal.

/Lecture off!!

Lottie 

[Rennschnecke]

This will be the subject of my PhD research so perhaps I'll come back here to contact you about this later! 

[porky]

Hahaha, you raise a good point, I don't smoke so to speak, but only usually once a month or so, socially. You have to choose your poisons and I already have enough as it is, so smoking full time isn't going to happen haha!

[Vickster]

As another preachy ex-smoker, just try not to smoke at all.  It doesn't only damage healing tissue, but also healthy tissue in pretty much every bit of the body.  Assuming you are a guy, that includes EVERY bit of you (if you get my drift  )

Another thing to consider, IF you smoke at all during any 12 month period, if and when you come to take out life or health insurance, you have to tell them that you are a smoker - and they will double your premiums, add exclusions or maybe even refuse to cover you at all...

Oh and it costs a fortune too (although as a social smoker, you probably just bum the tabs off your smoker mates  )

/lecture over as well 

[Sam123]

My brother smokes and i think he has had trouble with ligaments healing more quickly...not as bad as an acl