ACL, short for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, can tear from sudden twisting or turning motion. It’s most likely to happen in athletes, school-goers, and those frequently practicing high-intensity workout sessions and physical activities. Unlike other ligaments, ACL can’t regenerate itself. In fact, in some cases, it doesn’t heal without surgical intervention.
If the tear is too severe, you may need to consult an orthopedic surgeon in Navi Mumbai for potential treatment options. If you have undergone surgical repair, here’s how to know if ACL surgery was successful.
Early Post-Surgery Indicators
Your therapist will set recovery milestones and a timeframe for each. For instance, you should be able to walk without support within a few weeks of surgery and carry out your routine tasks, including physical activity, by 3-4 months. That said, each patient is unique, and so is their recovery period. It’s possible that you can’t walk soon after surgery, but that doesn’t mean your ACL repair surgery has failed. Here are a few early post-surgical indicators of a successful ACL surgery.
i) Reduced Pain
Some pain after ACL surgery is normal. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to relieve post-operative pain. Pain and swelling should resolve in a few days. You can use the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) to get relief from swelling. If the pain persists or the swelling gets worse after surgery, it might be a sign of graft failure or an infection.
ii) You Can Walk and Move
Another sign of post-operative recovery is the restored range of motion. You will be able to utilize your knee joints like earlier, although the recovery timeline can vary from patient to patient. Mostly, patients are able to straighten their knee joints by week three and bend them after physiotherapy. You can practice quad sets and heel slides to speed up your recovery and restore your full range of motion.
iii) Back To Your Normal Life
Long-term recovery can take time, but you should be able to move your knee joint and perform most activities by the time you hit the 3-month mark. You can gradually start sports within 6-9 months. One of the crucial signs of a successful ACL repair is the absence of instability.
Your knee will feel stable, and you can walk, climb stairs, and execute your routine tasks without collapsing. If you don’t see any improvement in your knee stability and range of motion, it may indicate graft failure. This may require reassessment and revision surgery.
iv) Follow-up Appointments and Imaging
Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure proper and quick healing. They will carefully evaluate your knee stability, movements, and surgical site to rule out postoperative complications.
After ACL surgery in Navi Mumbai, you can have relief from the pain due to arthritis, knee injury, or torn ligaments. If the new graft is precisely implanted and is fully functional, you will see the results within weeks. Improved mobility, reduced pain, minimal to no swelling, and the ability to straighten, bend, and move your knee in all directions are indicators of a successful ACL repair surgery.