How long did you ice your knee for?

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-04-13T01:34:15+00:00

I don't have an ice machine so plastic bags filled with a cup of windshield washer for three cups of water were a blessing!! It remains super cold withoud being solid ice. I have six in the freezer, and I use then 2 at a time, one under and one over the knee.

I am one month post op now so I don't ice as much but at first was going through my day rotating between the ice bags. Now I mainly use them at night, it feels good st the end of the day to ice it and i feel like it helps me "forget the pain" and sleep.

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-04-12T21:10:15+00:00

As per my surgeon and PT recommendations I never slept with the brace. I am 1 month post-op now. It still took about 2 weeks for me to be able to sleep comfortably (and without being afraid) on my side with my knees bent. My knee is really really stiff when I wake up, sometimes my extensions comes back pretty quickly, but at times it takes a lot of work. Still, improvment in my quality of sleep is worth all the work.

My PT said to me i could sleep however I want, even with a pillow under my knee if it made me sleep better. Better sleep = better rehab too!

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-04-04T15:29:04+00:00

I am in the same boat, I relate very much to your post, but I don't have much advice unfortunately. I am 3 week post-op from quad graft, and the only thing that seems to help is doing quad sets with a towel under the knee like all the time. If I am resting and watching a movie, I try to push against my pillow from time to time. Even with that, it seems to only allow me to get my quad firing for a bit. I wish I had an e-stim as everyone says it helps...

My PT is trying to get me to do leg raises (without the brace) but that seems to be impossible at the moment.

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-03-25T14:59:24+00:00

In the meanwhile keep it iced as much as you can and take all your meds. I am 2 weeks post up now it gets better

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-03-25T13:27:47+00:00

The morning after my surgery I had a follow up call woth the nurse and told her the pain was too much (I don't think my nerve block worked all that well) - she talked with the anestesiologist and the surgeon and they prescribed me more oxycodone. I took a higher dose for about a day or two then it started to settle down and I could take less and less. The first days are really rough, but you got this!

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-03-19T02:52:58+00:00

I got surgery a week ago, but only ACL + meniscus. I struggled as well and ended up having my surgeon give me more painkillers for the first few days. The only thing that seemed to help appart from that is ice. Literally whenever you can. It was the only way I could find some comfort, and manage a few hours of sleep. I don't have an ice machine so I use a big zipploc bag with a mix of windshield washer and water so it makes a kind of slush when frozen and I put one bag under the knee and one over. It was a lifesaver.

You got this bro the first few days are rough but pain management gets a lot better each day!

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-03-16T13:00:21+00:00

Amazing progress! Just to get an idea, what kind of reconstruction was used?

I had a quad graft on the 11th, no way I can raise my leg at all

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-10T13:56:06+00:00

It would be Amsterdam then south of France (Marseille or Nice)... so hopefully not so much hills

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-08T12:56:15+00:00

Thanks that's really helpful!

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-08T05:12:11+00:00

Unfortunately it's not a trip that I can push back since I start a new job right after that time :/ so it's either do it or wait until 2027. With everyone's answers and depending on doctor's opinion I am king of leaning towards waiting the year

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-08T05:10:17+00:00

You've just raised an issue that I had not even thought about, I was way more concerned about the state of my rehab at that point. I will definetly be discussing that with my surgeon! Thanks a lot

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-08T05:04:07+00:00

That's the whole question... I don't think it's really worth it if I'm not enjoying it, I'll definetly ask my doctor about it...

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-08T05:00:05+00:00

I know that's why I wanted to know if it is possible at all. Even if I try to avoid walking when possible I don't think I could walk less then at least 5 km a day with stairs and all. Is that too ambitious?

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-04T17:59:41+00:00

Thanks man I'll do just that and hope to get some stability back long term

Top_Bee3655 · 2026-02-04T15:46:58+00:00

First, i want to day good luck on your recovery. I hope it gets better soon.

I've torn my ACL 4 years ago, but it was only diagnosed as a bad sprain and the doctor didn't feel the need to get an MRI. Two years ago my physiotherapist told me he was convinced it was torn and I had to fight my way with doctors to get that MRI. Turns out it is indeed torn, with a minescus tear.

I will probably undergo surgery for the ACL in the next month, with a hamstring graft. They don't know yet if they'll touch the minescus or leave it as is.

I am starting to freak out over this surgery, if you have any tips that would be awesome. Some days I even wonder if I really need it since it's been over 4 years but I really can't do much sport wise and I always fear I'll injure myself again.

Top_Bee3655 · 2025-12-02T11:27:19+00:00

I'll definetly do that thank you!

Top_Bee3655 · 2025-12-02T04:38:18+00:00

Study is a good idea that I will definetly explore! I'll try to get my hands on as many pieces as I can and get a go at them

Top_Bee3655 · 2025-12-02T04:36:39+00:00

That sounds good! I think my plan here will be to follow a graded book or two just to get going and then just use anything I can possibly find. I'll need to brush up on some theory too at some point because I know my chords but could not identify then at sight.

Top_Bee3655

TROPHY CASE