How long does it take to walk after acl and meniscus surgery

Recovery from ACL Surgery

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery, move your ankles up and down an average of 10 times every 10 minutes. Continue this exercise for two to three days to help blood circulation and to prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. If you develop acute pain in the back of your calf, tell your doctor. This could be an early sign of clots.

Elevate leg

Keep your operated leg elevated at a minimum of a 45-degree angle. Prop your leg on cushions or pillows so your knee is at least 12 inches above your heart for the first three to five days after surgery. Keep your leg elevated if your knee swells or throbs when you are up and about on crutches. Don't put pillows behind your knee because this limits motion of the knee. Place pillows under your heel and calf.

Take pain medication

Expected pain and discomfort for the first few days. Take pain medications as your doctor advises. These could be over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or stronger narcotic drugs.

Bend knee

Slowly begin bending your knee. Straighten your leg and bend your knee. If necessary, place your hands behind your knee for assistance bending your knee. The goal is to achieve a range of motion of 0 to 90 degrees by the time you return for your first post-operative visit a week after surgery.

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Monitor for fever

A low-grade fever – up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 Celsius – is common for four or five days after surgery. If your temperature is higher or lasts longer, tell your doctor. Your temperature should go down with acetaminophen.

Remove bandage

The dressing on your knee is usually removed the day after surgery. There may be some minor fluid drainage for two days. Sterile dressings or bandages may be used during this time. After surgery, keep the wound clean and dry. Take sponge baths until the sutures are removed.

Rehabilitation

Your rehabilitation program to restore range of motion to your knee begins the moment you wake up in the recovery room. During the first week after surgery, most patients are encouraged to lift their legs without assistance while lying on their backs. These are called straight leg raises. By the end of the second or third week, patients usually walk without crutches.

Sessions with a physical therapist usually begin seven to 14 days after surgery. During physical therapy, weight bearing is allowed if you did not have a meniscus repair.

A range of motion of 0 to 140 degrees is a good goal for the first two months.

Don't work your quadriceps early on because this can stretch the ACL graft. Stationery bike riding or lightweight leg presses are recommended during the first three months after surgery. These exercises strengthen the quadriceps while using the hamstrings to protect the ACL graft.

Don't swim or run for five months. You can swim with your arms, without paddling your feet, at about two to three months after surgery.

ACL Injury Recovery

ACL rehab can vary significantly with the length of time it can take one individual vs. another. Moreover, the type of graft used and surgeon preference can affect your healing timeline. Additional surgical procedures performed along with the ACL reconstruction, such as meniscus repairs or cartilage repairs, can also affect how fast you progress.

Exactly how long the ACL graft takes to heal completely is often open for debate. Since certain sports and activities will place a higher demand on the ACL, more healing may be necessary before full sports participation. Most orthopedic physicians agree that a minimum of six months is needed before returning to competitive sports. However, because of the potential risks of re-injury, most recommend waiting seven to nine months.  Working with a physical therapist during ACL rehab will help strengthen muscles around the knee.

Read these articles to learn How to Prevent ACL Tears or to learn about the Anatomy of the Knee.

How Long Does it Take to Fully Bend Your Knee After ACL Surgery?  

Full knee flexion after ACL surgery is typically achieved gradually over time, with about 90 degrees of knee flexion reached by the end of week one post-op and full knee flexion achieved by week 4-6. When the patient can control their range of motion progression, their perceived fear of pain is reduced, and their motion often comes back easier.

How Long are You Non-weight Bearing After ACL Surgery?

Your body is most vulnerable the first two weeks after surgery is critical during the recovery process. ACL surgery is a traumatic experience for your muscles, ligaments, and other tissues, which is why the body responds with inflammation. During the period immediately after ACL surgery, an individual may experience elevated pain and swelling around the knee joint. 

The ACL rehab process starts right after the surgery. During this time, your ability to bear weight on the affected leg may be limited, so plan on using crutches and restrict your mobility for at least 7-14 days after surgery. Even though individuals may use crutches for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery, they will begin to bear weight as tolerated while still using the crutches for added support and transition to full weight-bearing status. Once the patient feels comfortable/stable without the crutches for added support, they can begin to ambulate independently at their tolerance, which typically takes place in the first 2-4 wks after surgery  

How Soon Can You Walk After ACL Surgery?

Patients typically walk unassisted for short periods within the first 2-4 weeks after ACL reconstructive surgery. After approximately 8-10 weeks, patients should be able to walk briskly. After 12-16 weeks, they can consider implementing light jogging and eventually more advanced plyometric exercise. Working with your physical therapist on a home ACL rehab will ensure a more positive outcome.

Can You Recover from an ACL Surgery in 6 Months?  

Yes and no, if an individual’s previous level of function was not that high to begin with, and they are not attempting to get back to any specific sports activities, then the answer is yes. However, when it comes to returning to sport, very few if any, athletes are ready to return to sport at six months. Furthermore, the duration of time it takes to regain range of motion, build sufficient strength, power, force absorption/production, complete a return to run a program, and eventually, a customized and well-structured return to sport program is much greater than six months. Additionally, multiple studies have found that athletes who go back to sport nine months after surgery have a much higher risk of re-tearing their ACL. That's why ACL rehab is key to recovery.

Read this article to learn more about ACL Surgery.

ACL Rehab Physical Therapy Near Me

Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute has 12 Northeast Florida Rehab Centers. To make an appointment with one of our physical therapists call 904-858-7045 or click the link below. To find a knee orthopaedic specialist call 904-JOI-2000.  JOI and JOI Rehab are having a Job Fair on October 5th.