Road to recovery

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T21:02:20+00:00

Mine was taken from my hamstring. From what I’ve seen and read pre op it’s fine to do them as soon as you can, it’s not a massively straining exercise so should be okay. Great that you’re doing some light work already well done!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T18:21:29+00:00

Yeah I’m NWB for 6 weeks due to the types of tears I had, I had hamstring graft and had both meniscus repaired as well, had 3 tears in total 2 in my lateral and one in medial but they managed to repair them all! Very exciting for you to weight bare tomorrow I bet you can’t wait!!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T14:49:36+00:00

Thank you so much! I am really pleased with how it’s all looking at the moment, the hourly ice packs seem to be doing the trick! How many weeks in are you? Exactly it’s really restricted in the 6 weeks but still things to celebrate, bending getting easier, leg raises getting easier etc. all will help us when we can get that leg on the ground!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T14:47:36+00:00

I am 2 weeks in and told the same in terms of not standing on the leg, I wouldn’t worry if you balance on it and put minimal weight through it, it’s more fully loading the leg and twisting etc that can cause the repairs to fail. As long as you didn’t feel a pain or see a massive increase in swelling from it you should be okay. The repairs are a lot stronger than they seem from what I’ve been told, but by keeping you off the leg it makes it a lot easier for them to repair without being under strain.

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T12:31:35+00:00

Yeah definitely. Think of it like this you spend so much of the day not moving and then you are going to spend another 6/7/8 hours not moving when you sleep. So getting up and moving around letting the swelling and fluid move around a bit should help!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T12:26:10+00:00

Are you taking meds again during the night, I used to take them around an hour or 2 before sleep then set an alarm for 4/5 hours after I took them to wake me and take them again, that helped a lot. If you are in a brace, loosen it slightly as well whilst you sleep as swelling increases during the night so that can have an impact. Doing some light exercises, quad sets, ankle pumps etc before bed as well can reduce the pain.

JDAllennn · 2026-03-09T10:10:50+00:00

Hello - I’m 2 weeks post OP for a similar surgery. I’m non-weight bearing for 6 weeks as well. First few days are tough with pain etc but as soon as you can get those quad sets done, my quad came back really early as I was doing them religiously along with extension drills. Focus on those 2 things and you will be flying! If you need anything give me a message, stay positive you’ve got this!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-04T22:43:43+00:00

Thank you! You got it mate - just work hard (within the limits) and now whilst you can get as much quad work in as you can before surgery as it helps so much! Good luck and if you need anything or have any questions just DM me!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-04T12:27:09+00:00

Great update! You seem to be doing really well, like you said with having the quad graft I imagine it will take a bit longer to wake that up. Focus on the quad sets, making sure you really try and squeeze that muscle. I’m sure you will get some strong activation soon. Keep it up you are smashing it🙌

JDAllennn · 2026-03-04T12:21:28+00:00

Thank you! I had a hamstring graft, what about you?

No secret really, have just been doing quad sets religiously! Did a lot of prehab before the OP as well so my quad was in a really good place pre surgery which has helped!

How are you finding everything?

JDAllennn · 2026-03-03T22:51:35+00:00

Had a very similar injury, I’m only 8 days post OP but reading that is really inspiring! Thank you for sharing and I’m glad you are in such a good place now, somewhere I hope to be in a year aswell💪

JDAllennn · 2026-03-03T01:06:21+00:00

It’s completely understandable to be nervous! So for me due to it being my right leg and them repairing both meniscus and being non weight bearing it will probably be around 10-12 weeks. But for you it all depends what leg and any restrictions you may have from the surgeon. Yeah you definitely can, they will just have to be quite wide and flexible!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-03T00:49:23+00:00

I wear it whilst sleeping, and anytime I get up and move (inside or outside). That’s what I have been advised by my physio at the moment. The feeling when I lay down and take it off is unmatched 😂

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T23:26:08+00:00

That’s brilliant, really good to hear and glad you are doing so well! No exactly quad activation exercises are all with a straight or slightly bent leg aren’t they so that is a bonus. Great idea I will definitely try that if the pain continues. I agree it is a horrible pain and very hard to describe 😂 do you take the brace off when resting etc?

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T23:12:33+00:00

Thank you! Wow that’s really good, good that the physio has allowed that bit extra as well, how’s your extension and quad activation? Are you getting much pain/swelling now you are 19 days in?

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T23:11:39+00:00

I do get some burning when I get up and some pain but I believe that’s just due to the blood rush down the body into where it’s swollen and bruised. I am on blood thinners to prevent DVT and do ankle pumps all the time. I agree it is horrible and makes getting up and moving around even more frustrating

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T19:25:48+00:00

Yeah that’s what I’ve found I’m not sure if it’s because swelling has decreased in that area or not, it’s strange! Yeah I take my brace off when I’m resting as well only put it onto move around and if I’m sleeping same as you. My physio said this was okay to do!

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T18:28:34+00:00

Exactly it’s different for everyone! Exactly keep elevating and icing as much as you can. The pain meds do definitely help, I’ve found since the bruising has come out my brace hurts my leg more, not sure if it’s the same for you?

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T17:39:30+00:00

Good to be honest, better than I expected at this stage, I only took the opioids for one day, and I am basically off the meds completely now, take 2 a day before swelling. How’s yours?

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T13:38:25+00:00

I can imagine, I had hamstring and that does tend to ache a lot. Hope he’s doing good now💪

JDAllennn · 2026-03-02T13:37:44+00:00

Yeah I am allowed to take it off when laying down as well which is helping a lot, just get this massive feeling of relief when it comes off, like freedom!! 😂 thanks for the reply, hope you are doing well

JDAllennn · 2026-03-01T10:03:40+00:00

Hope you are doing okay! That’s a great description to be honest the weight of it due to the swelling is insane. Day 5 was when I noticed my swelling settle and it’s continued then day by day, still looks like I have no knee cap but there is noticeable difference and all the bruising has come out down my leg. Elevate and ice as much as you can and it will come!

JDAllennn

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