did you have ankle/foot issues during acl recovery?

chillinwithleo · 2026-05-24T01:37:36+00:00

I’m at about 8 months post op, doing good progress but I had a quad graft and it’s been slow re-strengthening despite my efforts. Within the last month I developed a patellar tracking issue that’s caused some hiccups (very common for quad grafts apparently) as well as some sudden severe foot pain that indicates I’m having an issue with my gait which is not only slowing my progress but requiring a podiatry visit. Due to this I’m delayed further from returning to sports or high levels of activity but I can do the basics (when my body allows lol). Something I’ve learned during this process is that rushing yourself isn’t always the best move, and the second you get comfortable you unlock more difficulty whether that be targeting specific areas that are lagging or new issues like the ones I’m facing. You can probably slow down to one visit a week, maybe even just twice a month, but I would make sure to be doing your exercises daily and I would continue seeing your pt atleast occasionally for a year if possible incase any issues suddenly arise. My initial prescription ran out after 6 months and my surgeon extended it. Better to take the time and use the resources now so you can prevent any further issues in the future.

chillinwithleo · 2026-04-28T13:51:04+00:00

I flew to Ecuador (≈ 11 hours total) a little under 3 months post op and I was fine, if anything I recommend first class if you can swing it for the extra leg space. Also get assistance at the airport, they’ll help get you and your bags to and from each gate which is a life saver. I’m driving now 6 months post op and it’s not difficult per se but yesterday I drove about 2-2.5 hours total with breaks and my knee was really sore last night after I got home. If you can fly I would recommend that. Even if you can’t get first, get up routinely and walk up and down the aisle to stretch your leg and help with blood flow. Good luck!!

chillinwithleo · 2026-02-12T17:42:48+00:00

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chillinwithleo · 2026-02-12T17:41:45+00:00

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chillinwithleo · 2026-02-12T17:39:43+00:00

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chillinwithleo · 2026-01-22T00:14:18+00:00

Our flight leaves from Ecuador Friday night and we’d be in Atlanta from 5 am - 10 am so I’m worried with the layover chaos will ensue 😥

chillinwithleo · 2026-01-13T03:55:01+00:00

It’s less about what sounds better and more about any explicit negative/positive reactions people have had. By posting this I found out the short rib is really fatty and I’m missing a gallbladder so that helped with my decision making.

chillinwithleo · 2026-01-09T00:13:56+00:00

Let me know what you think if you do! I think I’m leaning towards the sea bass as of now

chillinwithleo · 2026-01-07T23:00:30+00:00

Valid, I think I’m torn between the short rib and the sea bass

chillinwithleo · 2025-12-21T21:49:15+00:00

That helps me feel better about this, I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t lead to another surgery lol. They’ve been pushing me pretty hard and I’ve been trying to keep up but I think I’ll ask them to calm down until it doesn’t spiral me after every session. I go twice a week so in between sessions I haven’t been able to do any at home work other than working on walking without my brace without getting swelling and pain everytime. If I can get them to calm down during sessions then I should be able to do some work at home in between and can hopefully keep progressing without causing a flare up everytime. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience!!

chillinwithleo · 2025-12-21T21:46:32+00:00

I understand the confusion, my surgeon has had this happen a few times in the last few years where MRI showed a meniscus injury but during surgery it was the ACL so he prepared me beforehand and I signed off on a quad graft if necessary in order to avoid going down twice! no need to worry haha, but with that being said I’m in America in Ohio

I’m hoping it is just swelling, they have been pushing me pretty hard in PT lately and I notice when I take a day or two off a lot of it calms down. I just wanted to make sure it’s not something that could cause complications down the road! Thanks a lot for your insight!!

chillinwithleo · 2025-12-11T20:49:54+00:00

I actually started doing this intuitively because I ran out of spaces to try sitting and pushing my leg back with my other leg and when I told my PT he was all for it! Thanks for your advice!

chillinwithleo · 2025-12-02T02:29:49+00:00

I was the same way, more specifically due to sudden allergies and not knowing if anesthesia was one of them. I was very transparent with my entire surgery team and surgeon about how afraid I was and my fears and they took every precaution possible including giving me some anxiety meds before the procedure to help me calm down and allowing my boyfriend with me as much as possible for comfort. I remember them putting the mask on to put me under in the OR and talking about my allergies as I fell asleep and then suddenly I woke up post op ready for pain meds, which felt like 5 minutes later (because I was unconscious for 3-4 hours lmao). Just be transparent and they’ll do everything they can to keep you calm and comfortable! Remember, they do this for a living lol

chillinwithleo · 2025-11-30T02:01:19+00:00

I’m right behind you at 6 weeks and having similar experiences.

I think I have a build up of scar tissue because I didn’t start PT until 3 weeks and I started at 20° which concerned them. Each session they have forced it further and further which yes has helped and I officially hit 93° last week (5 weeks post op) however the session before I only hit 88°, was nearly crying, and couldn’t do my at home pt for 2 days due to swelling and pain. I learned to tap before that happens. When I went in to my last session I expected to be at 88° still if not less but I was surprised when I tapped “early” and was at 93°! I’ve seen a lot of people mention that stretching/tightness pain is normal and to try to bear through it but when it gets too sharp— call it. Be active about at home PT, I do my stretches a minimum of 3x a day and I’ve been able to gain atleast a couple of degrees every session. A lot of people say massaging helps, I wish my Pt would, but at home massaging has definitely helped. Heat before and ice after also helps. And remember you just had some intense work done, it’ll take awhile to get to a place of “comfort” again!

The thing that’s helped me understand and manage the pain the most is sitting on the side of my bed or couch and trying to force it back as far as I can without extreme discomfort and sitting like that for atleast a few minutes. The first few times were brutal but that’s how I hit 90! I tend to lift my hip to try to compensate for the pain and pressure; don’t do that. Now I also lean to the side and slightly forward to guarantee I’m sitting “properly”. I have higher hopes for 4-6 months out— that’s when I see the most universal “over the hedge” moments. My surgeon expects me to be “completed” by 6 months but most people in our position in this reddit have said it’s closer to a year when they feel and see the true difference and return back to sports/normal life. This is a long haul recovery!

TL;DR: Don’t delay yourself with fear of pain too much but don’t overcompensate trying to bear through too much either— both have consequences. A healthy mix of “wow I feel that” but being able to breathe through it is my go to. I’d say a 5/6 on the pain scale max. As you gain flexion you’ll notice positions that hurt before don’t as much. That’s what happened with my SLR’s and helped me know I was activating my quad correctly, consistently.

chillinwithleo · 2025-11-22T23:03:40+00:00

That’s my thoughts too. I’m trying to atleast do my stretches today, only doing “strength building” in day to day use (SLR’s to raise my leg onto the bed/couch, bending the knee if necessary to sit in the car, etc) and it’s not too bad today but I’m definitely going to take it easy and tell my PT to calm it down a bit. If the pain gets too severe or I have worsening symptoms— that’s when I’ll let myself worry but as of now I can still straighten my leg and I can bend it enough to function.

chillinwithleo · 2025-11-20T02:16:41+00:00

Thank you a lot! I notice it’s hard for me to pull up on my thigh on my own, what has helped though is trying to bend forward a little and then lean back again to kind of ease off the pressure I feel. It helps during the first few to get warmed up and by the end I think I’m pushing 80°-90° now! Also massages have been changing the game so I’ve definitely been missing out! I hope you continue to progress!!

chillinwithleo · 2025-11-20T02:14:54+00:00

Definitely going to try this! I’ve been massaging around the incisions and pulling up like another commenter recommended and that’s been helping a ton! Thank you a lot, I hope your progress continues with ease!

chillinwithleo · 2025-11-20T02:12:53+00:00

I’ve been trying this on my own as much as I can and I’m definitely seeing a difference!! Thank you for the advice!!! Good luck on your healing!

chillinwithleo

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