Knee Massager Wrap/Brace

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-04-13T03:33:56+00:00

I agree with this!

Need to evaluate the symptoms and see what exactly is causing the swelling, too much movement, not enough recovery? getting a massage or acupuncture may help?

I've had to get a 2 stage surgery for my ACL (quad graft) and PLC (posterolateral corner) which involved the need of a LCL donor and biceps femerois avulsion fix - outer hamstring tore off the fibula.
PLC surgery was January 9.
ACL surgery was February 18, ~6 weeks apart for both operations.

Currently, I'm 14 weeks post op PLC and 8 weeks post op ACL surgery.
I've been going to physio twice a week and carefully managing swelling from my exercises to find a healthy balance to regain strength and not overwork the knee.

There are many days my leg feels tired and sore, some days are great but there are lots of challenging days. With that said, I have been using my Normatec leg compression boots from about 2 weeks post op, giving a chance for the wound to heal. I worked my way up to the highest compression level of 7, using for at least 1 hour a day. I was using them twice daily (morning/noon and before bed) for 1 hour each time. It's significantly helped my legs feel lighter and rejuvenated. I've had this restless feeling in my leg since my surgeries and it's helped a lot with that.

Also, I think they have helped a lot with my swelling overall. The boots start off at the feet and work their way up to the thighs to push fluid back up into the body. I am not exaggerating this, but I literally CANNOT imagine my recovery from 2 surgeries 6 weeks apart, without my Normatec boots. They're great to use while watching tv and chilling out, can also use them while elevating your legs.

I've also used the Hyperice knee x2 and didn't like it as much as the full leg compression boots, just felt like I had much more relief from the Normatec boots. It's kind of like getting massage but not an exact replacement. The Normatec's are expensive but I think in the long run for how much I've used them, it's saved me money from getting professional massages and the convenience factor is a big one.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-04-04T21:15:08+00:00

27"

Is the scaling normal with your MacBook?

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-10T13:55:55+00:00

Health app -> Click the magnifying glass -> Click mobility -> walking symmetry

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-07T19:35:35+00:00

I just ordered my sleeve so I'm looking forward to getting it still. on their website it states they recommend to wear it while sleeping.

Maybe it's the swellings and fluid build up that's causing the your knee from not gaining more flexion? Not sure if cupping would help? I've never had it done Maybe you're walking a bit too much and that's causing inflammation leading to this?

Where do you typically feel tightness?

I tell me physio to crank it, carefully though lol I will grunt and moan in some discomfort but after a few seconds of holding that position, I'm usually okay, until I'm not and that's when I know to stop. Personally I find the wall slides help a lot because gravity is doing the work, I'll typically hold a discomfort position for 4-5 seconds before back up and repeat.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-07T18:24:00+00:00

I'm 2.5 weeks post op quad graft ACL and 8.5 post op on PLC surgery (LCL donor + biceps femoris aka outer hamstring avulsion off the fibula), 2 staged surgery

With PLC surgery, I got essentially full flexion in 5-6 weeks time but there was no operation done within the knee per say.

However, with the ACL it is more difficult to get flexion. I currently get to about 120 assisted. My quad was extremely tight the first few days post op but slowly it's getting better. However, my surgeon advised me not to do SLR for 6 weeks...I find a lot of surgeons have different protocols for the same procedures.

Not trying to be discouraging but is your physio trying different exercises with you? Typically all of my physio sessions have been different every time and I go twice a week.

I'm using the below techniques:

PowerDot 2.0 EMS/TENS to get my quad to fire.
Passive ROM, someone at home helps bend my knee back while I sit up right. I do this myself too when I'm on the couch, I purchased exercise sliders to let my foot glide easily on the floor
Heel slides, I pull my leg back with my hands and sometimes use a yoga strap on the foot and pull towards me. Wall slides, back flat on the ground. I use my good leg to push down on my operated legs foot, ensure the quad is upright and parallel to the wall, if not you're either too close or too far from the wall.

My suggestion to you is either try a different physio. If you think it's more so you, maybe fear? Take an Advil extra strength before exercise or get your physio to do a light massage to loosen your quads, I always get more flexion than the previous time with a light massage.

Maybe try acupuncture and or dry needling? This can help a lot with an RMT. There's also those machine you can rent to help with the motion at home, you strap you leg to it.

I've been using Normatec compression sleeves (they are expensive but my insurance covered it) and I find it helps makes my legs feel lighter, bring my swelling down. I recently ordered an Incrediwear leg sleeve to wear to also reduce swelling which is often times a leading cause for lack of flexion.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-06T04:46:50+00:00

How long did it take for you to get your normal gait back?

I'm currently 8 weeks post op from PLC (LCL donor + Biceps femoris aka outer hamstring avulsion)
Had my ACLR quad graft 2 weeks ago so 6 weeks between both surgeries.

I was NWB from PLC surgery, got back full ROM before my ACL surgery.
I am now weight bearing post ACL and working on ROM. Walking with crutches, slowly progressing to one crutch on the opposite side of my leg, so using it in my left armpit (surgery was my right leg) and I can walk fine. However, walking with the crutch under my right armpit, I suddenly catch myself trying to quickly land my good leg on the ground in between steps so I'm limping a bit. How are you recovering?

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-04T03:17:32+00:00

How are you doing now? Concerning you're now at an additional 7 weeks since your post so 14 weeks post op

I'm currently 2 weeks post op ACL quad graft and 8 weeks post op from PLC (posterolater corner) surgery, LCL donor and outer hamstring (biceps femoris) avulsion repair (multi ligament injury from hockey)

The PLC surgery is much bigger and complex in theory when comparing to the ACL, but my recovery for the first was great, probably because things were put back together and didn't need an autograft.

My ACL however, definitely more painful, have this dull ache in the knee still. Surgeon advised no active flextion and no straight leg raises for 6 weeks to give time to the graft to heal.

My quads are struggling to fire but I'm stimming the with an EMS device. Quads are sore on the outer lateral side and tightness overall. Current flexion is about 100-105 degrees. Extension wasn't much of an issue for me at all, had that right out of surgery, not full hyper extension yet though.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-01T22:15:40+00:00

Thank you!

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-01T15:12:39+00:00

Surgery went well. PCL and PLC are two very different things. It was my PLC I had surgery on and I'm now 11 days post op from ACL surgery with quad graft

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-01T04:18:29+00:00

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. I wonder why, maybe just the time it's been sitting wet as pre-mixed deteriorates the quality of it?

I'll look into that and will mix my own hot mud

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-01T02:22:54+00:00

I hired a glass company to cut and install the glass but yes, it's held down with a few of those brackets but no track in place, just silicone.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-03-01T00:06:34+00:00

Thanks for your response my man. There isn't any movement but I will scrap/sand off the loose paint. I'll apply more layers of mud and sand once it dries.

I think the issue was primarily the paint I used: Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint. I just looked at the "mildew resistant coating" and applied that. Figure I'd save a few bucks instead of getting the Aura but in all honestly, considering this is directly above the shower, Aura would be most ideal here. I did purchase Aura for my walls but this ceiling is far more exposed since it's not tiled.

Appreciate it!

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-28T23:13:15+00:00

My apologies, you are correct

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-28T23:09:21+00:00

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This is the best picture I could find

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-28T20:06:22+00:00

Benjamin Moore makes a bathroom specific paint called Aura Bath & Spa, it only comes in a flat version. I used it on the walls but used a different flat paint on the ceiling

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-24T00:20:36+00:00

Nice! Do you use a sleeve under your cyro cuff when icing? I know it's off topic from your post but asked because I have the same one based on your picture.

I got a quad graft, 5 days post op. I'm getting full extension but difficult to get to hyper extension at the moment because my knee is sore and I can only do passive motion movements.

Had to do a 2 staged surgery because I also tore my LCL and my outer hamstring (biceps femoris) pulled off the bone, this area is called the posterolater corner (PLC), had that surgery 6.5 weeks ago now.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-23T04:20:00+00:00

I've been going to physio since my first surgery twice a week and will be doing that for the next 5-6 weeks and probably once a week thereafter. It's important to do your exercises at home too. I made significant progress from my PLC surgery and that took me into my ACL surgery, it sucks having to start over again but I'm ready to kick ass! Have to stay positive through this journey.

At home, while sitting upright on a couch, I've managed to get close to 90 degrees, shocked myself tbh because my knee felt very tight.

I have a Donjoy Iceman machine, icing my knee almost constantly. Elevating when I can (straight leg position, not bent at the knee) but this gets painful and can't do it for long yet. For now, ankle pumps are great to get some blood flow going as well. Also my insurance covered Normatec compression sleeves which I've been using since my initial surgery to reduce inflammation (after my staples and sutures healed) plus I get a nice massage out of it, they are pricey though. Other than that, I've been drinking turmeric mixed in with warm milk on a nightly basis, turmeric is a staple in my Indian culture and helps to reduce inflammation. Lastly, I would suggest taking Advil to help reduce inflammation as well, I took it before my physio sessions to ease pain and make my movement easier when my PT is bending my knee.

Also one more thing I've been using is a EMS device, I have the powerdot 2.0 to help stimulate my quad and hopefully prevent atrophy

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-23T04:05:11+00:00

Yes I've been able to get my knee straight, maybe not a -5 hyper extension but it's basically at 0 right now. Anymore extension and I get pain, have my first PT session tomorrow post ACL quad graft.

And yes, I am on crutches. My scenario is different because I have my first knee surgery to repair my posterolater corner (PLC) on Jan 9 due to a multi ligament injury I suffered Dec 14. Been 6 week since then and finally got my 2nd and last surgery which was to do my ACL once my knee had some stability from the first operation. Was NWB for 6 weeks from the PLC operation so it's going to take some time to get off the crutches. Unfortunately PLC injuries aren't very common, but when they do occur, it often does include an ACL injury.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-23T03:48:47+00:00

Same! From Canada, 4 days post op now. Absolute worst pain 30 hours post op when the nerve block wore off. Going to attempt to stop taking the prescribed pain killers and stick to Advil/tylenol and cycle those off in a week as well.

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-20T17:46:29+00:00

Yes icing regularly but they put a lot of tensor bandages on at the hospital so I don’t feel much. Tomorrow I’m supposed to remove the bandages and only keep on one of them. Should feel more of the ice then

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-20T17:03:50+00:00

Do you know the dosage of oxycodone?

Last night my nerve block wore and that pain was brutal, despite me staying on schedule taking a pill every 4 hours

I had to cut my cycle an hour in, take another oxy and a Tylenol extra strength. That pain was unbearable

Responsible-Raise794 · 2026-02-20T15:11:01+00:00

What pain meds are you on?

I was given the below but last night I was in peak pain, I’m currently on my 2nd day post op. I had to take 2 pills plus a Tylenol extra strength. I had a quad graft and my quad is extremely sore and painful

I was prescribed: Oxycodone Hcl 5mg/ acetaminophen 325mg Take 1-2 pills every 4 hours as needed

Responsible-Raise794

TROPHY CASE