What Can I Expect After ACL Reconstruction Surgery?

You’ve seen it happen plenty of times on TV. An athlete goes hard after the ball and suddenly falls to the ground while clutching their knee. The announcers fear the worst — a torn ACL that will keep the athlete off the court for months.

And now the same thing has happened to you.

As a result of your injury, you’re facing ACL reconstruction surgery, but you’re not sure what happens next.

Our team at Steven E. Nolan, MD, specializes in ACL reconstruction. Here’s what you can expect.

How does the ACL reconstruction process work?

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) connects your femur to your tibia. An injury or tear usually occurs during a sudden stop or change in direction during sports. Dr. Nolan uses arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery to rebuild the ligament using a graft from your hamstring tendon or your patellar tendon. 

After inserting a tiny camera through a small incision in your knee, Dr. Nolan inserts thin surgical instruments to remove the torn ligament. He then drills tunnels in your bone to bring the graft through to replace your ACL. He concludes the procedure by attaching the ligament to the bone on each end with screws before stitching the incisions closed.

The surgery is usually outpatient, meaning you’ll return home the same day.

What is the recovery process like?

Recovery from an ACL tear and reconstruction surgery usually takes at least 9 months, although some individuals can recover more quickly. You’ll progress through three basic phases as you work through your physical therapy regimen.

The first phase involves controlling the pain and swelling in your knee immediately following surgery as you begin to regain movement and strength. 

Icing your leg will help reduce the swelling. You’ll also typically start wearing a knee brace right after surgery and using crutches for at least a week. Then, you’ll begin to bear weight on the knee, progressing to full weight bearing in about six to eight weeks.

In the second phase, your physical therapist focuses on helping you regain the full range of motion and muscle strength around your knee. During this phase, you can begin light jogging, running on a treadmill, and even cycling. You’ll likely replace your more bulky brace with a lighter sports brace. This phase usually lasts two to four months after surgery. 

Third, you’ll go through a graduated return to full activity. Your physical therapist will monitor you carefully throughout this phase to ensure your muscle strength and coordination have returned, and your knee handles the stress of cutting and turning without swelling. Depending on your progress, this phase lasts four to eight months after surgery.

We always caution patients not to attempt to return to activity prematurely. While this is tempting, the likelihood of inflaming or reinjuring your knee is high. You must allow the graft time to heal. Dr. Nolan and your physical therapist monitor your progress closely and let you know when you can increase your activity levels.

If you’re looking for the best ACL reconstruction specialist, Steven E. Nolan, MD, is the answer. Call​​ our Sugar Land office or use our online scheduler to book a consultation.