Post Sugery Help On ROM

[Aazizi]

I just recently got my Second ACL reconstruction and some work on my meniscus. I am almost 2 weeks in since surgery coming this Thursday the 31st.

I have this concern where My leg wont straighten and I keep trying everyday to push myself to straighten the leg but its not going to 0 degrees or even -5. My other leg PT rehab was flawless but this leg is seeming to have problems. Maybe i am over reacting but I dont want to end up not being able to straighten my knee for the rest of my life.

[Maverick]

Aazizi, do you have much swelliing?  This can impact your ability to straighten your knee.

[Aazizi]

Hello, thank you for the reply

yes I have swelling. I thought that was the case as well but when I went to the PT, they said I should still have my leg close to straight.

Does anyone how long it takes to get your knee fully straight or the time period till the scar tissue repairs?

[LindaM]

Aaziza,

How long were you limping before surgery?  Was your knee able to completely straighten before surgery or had you been walking with it a little bent to avoid the pain?  If you didn't have full ROM before you should tell your PT and they will work with you to stretch and get back what you lost.  It might be rough, but not as bad as never getting your ROM back.

Good luck

Linda

[Aazizi]

Hey Linda,

I was injured on the 7th of April and had my surgery on the 21st of May. I was limping during the time i was injured, I tried straightening it out but it wasn't happening.

I had a PT session today and she worked on getting my knee straight. she pushed down on my leg to help straighten it and we did hamstring workouts and it helped a little but she said I need to be persistent and keep at it. Also she mentioned that I need to get the muscles in my leg strong so they can help straighten the leg as well...
I hope Im not to late and the scar tissue has already set.

Ali

[LindaM]

Yeah Aazizi,

That's what my PT did too.  He was pressing down on my knee to straighten it and all at once he put his weight behind it and really pushed.  I saw stars and the pain was really bad, but it was straight.  It took about a week for the pain to settle down(it felt like I had pulled my knee), but it stayed straight.  So keep at it, you'll get it back.   

My husband built me a little wedge about body width and about 6 inches on the higher side and I use that to stand and stretch my hamstrings without stressing my knees.  Check around at PT when you go next time, there is probably something like that you might want to try.

Have a good night.

Linda

[Aazizi]

Thank you Linda,

That is somewhat enlightening to hear. I just need to push myself hard to get it straight because I can't afford to have a bent knee for the rest of my life. The first rehab went smoothly I just don't understand why this time around, my knee is giving me troubles.

Ali

[LindaM]

Every surgery is different Aazizi,

My first PKR I had problems straightening the knee but 128 degrees of bend on the first day of PT.  The second knee I could straighten it completely but only had 90degrees to start with.  It went to 130 within two weeks.  You'll get there, just be a little patient.

Linda

[JintsLady]

Aazizi,
Have you tried prone hangs?  If your PT will allow it, it's are a great tool to regain full extension.  I'm about a month out of my second acl surgery and I had issues with extension the first time so I was really faithful this time and regained full extension pretty quick. 

My PT had me do the prone hangs like this: 
Roll up a towel, lay face down on my bed with my legs hanging off the edge, just above the kneecap, at the bottom of my quad.  Place the towel right there, above the kneecap and just let the weight of your leg pull it down and straighten.  At PT he placed a weight on my ankle but I was too afraid to do that at home, it was painful.  It didn't take long until I got full extension.

And Linda is right, keep pushing forward.  Hope this helps.

Good Luck with recovery.

Jo

[LindaM]

Hi Aazizi,

Another one to try is simply sitting on a chair and putting your foot and calf up on another chair the same height leaving your knee unsupported.  This will give you a gentle stretch that you can do easily for about 10 minutes at a time.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Linda

[Msjcarter]

this what my dr tells me to do. try rolling a toewl under ur ankle and put ice on ur knee. also my pt has me pushing the back part of my knee down