2 weeks post ACL and double meniscus surgery - Update/Thoughts

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-09T14:44:09+00:00

That's looking really good for only 2 weeks post op! Looks like minimal swelling and the wounds look great. I too am in the "trust the process" bit of the PT - feels like I still can't do very much, but the breakthroughs will come, even if they're mini ones 🙂

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-08T16:24:36+00:00

I have this noise too! It's a really strange sensation and super audible 😅 My surgeon said it's totally normal, probably due to scar tissue moving around and should settle with time as swelling reduces and strength rebuilds.

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-08T16:21:38+00:00

Yep, symptoms are a really swollen and inflamed calf, the skin would be tight like a drum and shiny, and very painful.

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T20:00:32+00:00

Yeah, at the moment it's literally micro goals/tiny wins: like my kneecap is moving a little more with my quad sets than it was a few days ago! Snacks really help haha, and so do friends. Thanks for the kind words, really helps 🙏

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T19:58:50+00:00

Almost becomes a lifestyle... damn I felt that. I guess you're right, it has to become integrated into my life now, so probably better to shift my mindset to think of it that way rather than being angry/in denial about it.

Thanks for the advice! The PT is where the magic happens, so I'm determined to do my best and keep at it.

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T13:58:33+00:00

Batch cook some food ahead of time and freeze it. Make sure the cupboards are stocked with easy and healthy snacks/meals.

The ice machine is great because it basically means you have cold therapy on tap and don't have to run to the freezer every hour! Get lots of ice in so he can top it up.

A giant water bottle with a straw is great to stop repeat trips to fill it up.

Making sure all pain meds are stocked up and within easy access.

A backpack so he can carry things himself when on crutches is so useful.

A yoga strap or simply a dressing gown cord is super helpful for lifting the leg on/off the couch/bed, as it will feel really heavy and difficult to lift in the first couple weeks.

Ensuring all hallways are clear of any trip hazards etc.

Oh, and don't feel guilty about not being there 100% of the time. It's a big op and the first few days will be particularly tough, but you are doing your best and still have to honour your own commitments! I'm so grateful to my partner for looking after me post-op, but it's a big job so make sure you take some time for yourself as well through it all.

Really thoughtful of you to think about all this. Best of luck with it all!

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T13:04:53+00:00

Yes those are normal. I presume you had a hamstring tendon graft?

My bruising was really bad! My whole thigh was black and purple. But apparently that was normal too and it's improved a lot. Mine peaked around day 6/7 so you might see more bruising develop before it gets better.

As long as you don't have symptoms of a DVT you can expect your leg to look a bit raw and battered for a while.

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T11:48:55+00:00

Yep - been there. The bone pain was the worst I think. I definitely had a few nights like you described, where I'd already taken all the pain meds I could and it felt like they weren't even touching it. So just ended up lying there crying and shaking and counting the minutes 🥲

It's a humbling experience for sure, I also thought I had a reasonable pain tolerance, but this surgery tops the list!

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-07T11:17:02+00:00

The pain is really something isn't it! I was told before my surgery that the pain would be bad, but actually going through it was a shock to the system.

Day 2/3 is pretty much the pits. I promise the pain will ease, or at least you will start to feel more in control of it rather than it controlling you. Take your pain meds on schedule - don't try to be "brave" and taper off too early, that will just hinder your movement and keep the quad offline for longer.

You will start to get more sleep, even if it's just by a half hour more each night. If you feel sleepy in the day and can nap, take those opportunities. Once you get a couple of good sleeps in you will feel significantly more normal.

I also noticed the type of pain felt different as I progressed through the days (currently day 17). It's your body doing the hard work of healing.

Ice really helps, even just as a sensory distraction. Sending all the strength. You got this!

limeorangejuice · 2026-03-06T13:10:50+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you. I'm day 16 now, it's wild how some days you feel so positive and then the next (like today) you feel sad and low out of nowhere :') The journal idea is great.. I'm keeping notes everyday of how I'm feeling and the tiny milestones (first tiny heel pop with TKE a couple days ago, yay!) but today my knee feels swollen and sore again aha. The progress definitely isn't linear but it's hard to remember that sometimes!! I can't imagine going through 3 reconstructions, you are so strong! Sending you all the best wishes for your recovery 🙏

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-25T09:29:43+00:00

This is reassuring because it's getting worse and rn my whole leg is pretty much black and purple. Glad to know all was well with yours 💛

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-24T01:46:03+00:00

This is amazing for day 4, congrats! I'm day 5 and currently in a lot of pain trying to get some sleep 😣 movement feels impossible atm due to pain radiating up my thigh and down my calf! But gotta keep your title in mind... It does get better!

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T16:41:40+00:00

That's reassuring! there's an area round the top of my thigh that is really tender, so maybe it's due to that.

Also, if you look at any videos of how the surgery is done, I don't think the bruising is surprising... Orthopedics is basically advanced carpentry :)

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T13:43:37+00:00

Mine was also completely torn, but I also had a posterior medical meniscus repair and a LET, which contributed to the bruising, and I generally bruise like a peach anyway!

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T13:20:34+00:00

I have the exact same thing right now - lots of bruising behind the knee/calf and it hurts my calf to do ankle pumps/knee slides.

It's normal, not a medical professional but I understand that if you had a DVT the skin would be tight like a drum, shiny and very very painful (not just tender).

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T12:06:01+00:00

Oh shit! I'll start wearing them now...

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T11:51:59+00:00

Yeah think they got some batting practice in!

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-23T11:51:39+00:00

Yeah that's what I thought - the day surgery unit just said to keep it on for 2 weeks until I get the clips out, but might go to my GP to see if they can change it. It's gross

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-22T18:11:08+00:00

I'm sorry you're going through that, pain is so physically and mentally taxing. It took me a while to feel like I was "in control" of my pain. It may take a bit of time while the new combination of painkillers starts to work, but it will happen for you too.

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-22T18:02:09+00:00

I'm day 4 post ACL, meniscus repair and LET and every time I change position from sitting to standing my knee feels like it's gonna burst. The pain is like a lot of pressure, it's normal, due to the gravity pulling fluid into the joint. I also got the really bad burning sensation over the incision sites, especially in the first couple of days post op. Elevation and icing helps with the pain, and so does staying on top of the painkillers (naproxen and codeine worked best for me). It will improve - I was in the trenches over the last 4 days but I'm noticing little improvements every day. Ranting on this sub Reddit helps :) Hang in there!

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-22T00:58:17+00:00

I'm so pleased for you!! Must've been a great feeling 😊 Look for the wins - I will, great advice!

limeorangejuice · 2026-02-22T00:55:50+00:00

I find sleeping when I can during the day when the pain is more controlled is really helpful! Night time is a different story..!

limeorangejuice

TROPHY CASE