Extension after ACL Recon

[cbrmedic]

my os diagnosis me with arthrofibrosis, scar tissue is blocking my extension and flexion, i went to see Dr. Collin Eakin and he want to go in there with a scope and clean out all the scar tissue. what would i except after this surgery and what the rehab like

[Stasha83]

Hi

I'm typing on my iPhone so can't post a full reply but would suggest that you have a look in the Arthrofibrosis section of this board if you havent already done so.

I think a few other posters with AF had surgery with Dr Eakin but i can't remember their names. If you post there I'm sure they will pop up. I'm recovering from my second AF surgery if you want to look at my previous posts for my experiences.

Good luck

[blader1611]

i am having real problems getting my full extension. I am about 9 weeks post op from microfracture surgery,meniscal repair and ACL reconstruction (hamstring graft). Just had physio who has said i have 2 weeks to get my leg straight otherwise i will have to see her multiple times on a daily basis and if that fails i have to go back to the surgeon (after lots of physio she can only get me to 5 degrees but it always springs back an hour later). i am not really keen on this as its impacting work greatly and having been on crutches now for over 4 months i could do without all this extra hassle and delay. At the moment the only exercise I know is to do the leg hangs sometimes with my wife pressing down on my leg exactly like the physio does. Is there anything else i can be doing to help as i have 2 weeks to sort this out and avoid living in a PT unit or going back to surgeon. i am willing to do any exercise regardless of pain that is how desperate i am.

[Rennschnecke]

You could try sitting with your heel elevated, eg. on a chair of the same height and just leave the leg to straighten out passively by sitting there like that for 30 mins, or as long as you can bear.  Just do this as often as possible.  I've sat like that for an hour a time around 6x a day.

Do check with your physio that she is happy for you to do that.

PS It will hurt so you may have to reduce the duration but your knee should straighten out unless there is something mechanical to obstruct that.  At least your physio is vigilant about this!

[blader1611]

Thanks Rennschnecke. I have started doing that now and can last about 10 - 15 mins in one sitting so i will adopt the same thing at work as well. Should i be doing this as often as i can?
She has warned about mechanical obstruction but it doesnt feel like that to me as i always feel a big stretch everytime. that to me suggests that my muscle\tendons have shortened considerable which is what i would expect given my leg has been bent for 3 months.

[Rennschnecke]

Yes, as much as possible – that's what my sports physician said pre-ACL reconstruction so that my knee was as good as possible.  Rehabbed really well from that – ahead of the curve because my knee was as good as possible going into surgery.

Hope this works for you.  Just try to avoid prolonged pain.  Transient pain is a signal to ease off.  If you get persistent pain, stop doing this and talk immediately to your physio.