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The knee dressing may be removed 48 hours after surgery for showering. The small tapes (steri-strips) covering the incisions should be left in place. The stocking may be reapplied for your comfort. The ACL brace is placed over the stocking.
After surgery, the knee brace should allow for motion from zero to flexion as tolerated. For the first two weeks, it is the most important to concentrate on obtaining full knee extension. This can be done by resting the back of your heel on a chair or foot rest without any support under the knee. The brace should be worn almost all the time, only removing it for a short time in a controlled setting.
Showers are acceptable after 48 hours. After removing the dressing covering the knee, keep the steri-strips in place, apply a clear plastic wrap (Saran wrap) or water proof bandages. This should be applied for each shower until the sutures are removed. You need to keep your incisions dry. After showering, make sure that you dry the knee area. Your sutures are usually removed at your first post operative appointment. Do not soak the knee in a bathtub, pool, hot tub, lake, etc. until the incisions are completely healed (usually around four weeks).
In some cases, oozing at the point of incision sites can persist for several hours. If oozing is present the day after surgery, please contact our office.
Swelling is common to experience especially around the knee joint. This may cause stiffness and discomfort. This may last for several weeks after surgery. To minimize the swelling, utilize the cold therapy unit supplied to you at the time of surgery or ice packs. The cold therapy should be used as often as possible, especially for the first 48 hours. Run the cold therapy unit/place ice packs for 2 hours on then 1 hour off, except while asleep, regularly the FIRST 48 hours. After 48 hours, run the cold therapy unit/place ice packs for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off as much as possible until your post operative appointment. Make sure to protect your skin by placing a towel between the pad/ice pack and your skin once the bandages have been removed.
For mild pain, use medication such as Tylenol. Take 1-2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. Do not take more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period. For severe pain a prescription for stronger medication was given to you at your pre-op appointment. Please take the medication as directed. Do not drink alcohol while taking a prescribed medication.
A blood clot, DVT (deep venous thrombosis), although uncommon, can form after surgery. To prevent this, you should use TED hose stockings for two weeks, and you are instructed to take an 325 mg aspirin twice a day for 2 weeks after. If you have a history of blood clot or there is a genetic clotting disorder in your family, inform Dr. Hansen.
If you experience swelling in your calf on the operative leg or pain in your calf with flexion of the foot or with weight bearing, please contact our office immediately. If this occurs at night or over the weekend, please call us then make your way to the emergency room immediately for an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot.
Eat light foods after your surgery for 12 hours or diet as instructed by your physician. The day after surgery, drink lots of fluids and eat soft, nutritious foods. An adequate diet is essential for the healing process.
Although unusual, both can be experienced after anesthesia in surgery. If you have a tendency for this, please discuss it with the anesthesiologist prior to surgery. Otherwise, it is usually alleviated with a clear liquid diet.
After anesthesia, drowsiness may persist for quite a while. It should cause no undue concern.
Crutches have been supplied for your comfort, as well as a brace to limit range of motion. Partial weight bearing is permitted with crutches after surgery. The exercise in which you were instructed should be performed at your tolerance and comfort, starting the day after your surgery. Do not engage in sports or heavy work until your physician gives you permission to do so.
Please refer to the back of your appointment card given to you at your pre op appointment. Your appointment should be listed there, if not please call our office and make sure a post op appointment was made for you.
With any surgery it is important to be aware of signs of infection, which can include: unusual looking incision such as increased redness or smell, drainage to be green or yellow, and increased fever. It is normal to have a slight temperature post operative, but above 101.5 degrees; you should contact our office.
This usually will usually start 4 to 7 days after surgery. We will communicate with you when you should start and will give you a prescription for the physical therapy.
Please feel free to contact our office at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
