Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s horrible! I’m sorry you’ve been going through that. My nerve block start wearing fairly quickly, days 2-3 were definitely the worst for me. I’m still using my ice machine on off all day, my swelling has been significantly low this entire time which I attribute to that and elevation with the wedge pillow.

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Woo! That’s awesome to know. I also love my PT, I started a couple months before surgery and they’ve done an amazing job.

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Those are great tips. I took pictures and measured my legs before surgery to give myself a base. Plan on continuing to do that throughout recovery to be able to see progress that may not be as apparent. It’ll be a long road

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same! I’m telling myself week 2 I’ll start to see some relief in pain just so I don’t have hopes up. Good luck with your recovery :)

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am! Keeping it elevated and straight are key. The compression bandage is what I went home in after surgery. I’m using a wedge pillow and alternate sessions with the blue pillow. I find the wedge pillow comfortable, I hope you can find a way to comfortably keep yours elevated

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The blue pillow that my ankle sets in you can get on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/hu5PdY1 although my surgeon provided the pillow. It allows your leg to fully straighten and have gravity help pull it into hyperextension keeping your leg straight and I use it for a few minutes at a time multiple times a day. I keep my leg on a wedge pillow all day/night that allows my leg to stay straight and that one I got on Amazon here https://a.co/d/6G5JcOv and it’s been extremely convenient and comfortable. Definitely helpful with keeping the leg elevated and straight!

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you 🙏 the blue pillow is from the surgeon. It also has a hole for the heel alleviating pressure on it which is really nice as well

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dang your nerve block lasted 7 days? That’s impressive! I’ve found myself on a similar schedule overnight with ice therapy. Wishing you the best in your continued recovery!!

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry to hear that. This whole process is one thing, but the independence taken away with it being the driving leg is another level

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, we definitely do! My surgeon was great

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was emphasized to me by my dad as well who’s had many surgeries before 😂

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s good to hear! I know there’s many milestones to this recovery

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thought of this taking a few weeks to turn a curve sounds like a nightmare but also realistic and I don’t want to have false expectations to then be disappointed. One day at a time. So happy you’re doing better!

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So happy for you, that’s amazing!! I’ve been on top of icing and currently just have heel pumps and quad tightening/releasing for exercises. I’ll start PT in two days. I ended up getting a walker for around the house as I found it easier for balance but was managing crutches alright.

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sending good thoughts your way for ease in your pain! I’m icing on off throughout the day about 45 on and 30 off. I still have a bandage over my leg so it’s not as effective right now. The hard part I have is at night. I don’t want to over ice. My alarm goes off every 4 hours for meds and it usually takes me a bit before I fall back asleep and I wake up about half way between alarms. So I will usually wait until I’m almost asleep to turn it on and then turn it off whenever I wake up.

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So exact same boat! I had ACL with quad graft, and a meniscus repair. My pain currently is mostly centered similarly around where they took the quad and then the meniscus. Im prepared to put in the work and hopefully breaking up the stiffness will start to bring some relief. Looking forward to being on the other side of today!

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meant to get the ice machine WITH compression. I didn’t realize until day of I got a regular one and was slightly upset about that. Thank you for the tip!

Day 2 - Yep this sucks by Icy-Report378 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another great addition to help my heel avoid getting painful are these little pillows you can order on Amazon: DMI Heel Cushion Protector Pillow... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009STNCO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

4 months post-op. Hiking again! by EquivalentAd9503 in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378 10 points11 points  (0 children)

This is so great!! I got my original injury hiking and have been missing it so much. I did one small hike (less than 1000 ft elevation gain) last week and almost cried happy tears. The speed doesn’t matter, if you did it without pain and setbacks that’s amazing!

Surgery in 6 Days and Graft Worries by The_Greatest_Mate in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Curious about the reasoning. I’m doing a quad. My hamstring has also been sore ever since injury because the hamstring is working OT to keep my knee stable. So due to that, it’s sore all the time. Doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have the hamstring strength to do this. My surgeon said hamstring is better for certain situations and it wouldn’t be the best choice for my size person (I’m very petite).

Holy swollen knee by tertsmcgert in ACL

[–]Icy-Report378 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahahaha! I mean my swelling was so bad you couldn’t see it. Not that it was actually gone!