An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a strain or tear of the ACL of the knee. This is an extremely painful injury, which often occurs during intense physical activity, such as sports. It can be very difficult to walk with the injured knee, and even get up. In some cases, surgery is needed to fully recover from this injury. By following these steps to prepare for surgery, you can make the recovery process as painless as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare in the Weeks Before Surgery
Step 1. Discuss the different aspects of the surgery with your doctor
This will help you understand the true nature of your health and make informed decisions.
- Ask as many questions as possible. Express concerns and concerns with your doctor.
- During the surgery, a tendon will be taken from another part of the body and used to surgically bind the two torn flaps of the ligament. This is necessary because without additional tissue it is not possible to stitch the ligament even with surgery.
- The surgery is performed thanks to the use of a thin fiber optic probe. The surgeon will make a small incision on the knee. The probe will serve as a guide for graft placement.
Step 2. Make sure surgery is the only option
In most cases, surgery is the last resort for LCA injuries. For this, you and your doctor should have already considered other medical interventions before resorting to surgery.
- Remember that not all ACL tears require surgery. People who have only had partial strains or ruptures can recover easily with physiotherapy and non-invasive treatments.
- Usually, surgery is needed to treat injuries to athletes, who need strong and stable ligaments to support intense and sudden movements. Surgery can also reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
- There are two cruciate ligaments, anterior and posterior. Along with these ligaments there are collateral ones on the sides. When more than one ligament and adjacent structures in the knee are affected, surgery is often the best solution.
Step 3. Prepare your home so that you can move around more easily after the surgery
Think for a moment about the areas where you spend your days. If you have to climb stairs to get to the bedroom, make sure you have your surgeon's okay. Otherwise, you will have to find alternative solutions.
Step 4. Stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs two weeks before surgery
These drugs act as anticoagulants, and this can cause bleeding problems after or during surgery. To reduce the likelihood of complications, avoid the following medications:
- Naproxen sodium.
- Ibuprofen.
Step 5. Stop using tobacco four weeks before surgery
If you use tobacco in any form, stop using it at least 4 weeks before surgery (and for 8 weeks afterwards). This is important, because tobacco negatively affects the body's resilience, and this can lead to infections.
- On the internet you will find many sources that can help you quit smoking.
- There are also many commercial products that can help you, such as nicotine patches and chewing gum, and more.
Step 6. Talk to your doctor one week before surgery about stopping the use of anticoagulant medications
You will likely need to stop taking these medications that were prescribed to you 7 days prior to surgery. These drugs can cause excessive bleeding during surgery, and should be avoided.
Consult your doctor to find out if this advice applies to you
Method 2 of 4: Perform Exercises in the Weeks Before Surgery
Step 1. Exercising your ACL will speed up your post-operative recovery
The surgery is usually planned in advance, to give you time to prepare and work on a training program. Exercising before surgery will allow you to regain knee function and will ensure that your joint will be strong for the surgery.
- The main goal of the exercises is to strengthen the muscles that support the knee and improve the mobility of the joint as much as possible.
- You should gradually increase the intensity of the exercises. Watch out for pains, which warn you when you are trying too hard.
- When you feel pain, stop exercising immediately and decrease its intensity.
- Your doctor may recommend a physical therapist who can develop a specific training program for your condition.
- Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Step 2. Do the heel bridge exercise
This exercise helps strengthen the back of the thigh, glutes and hip muscles. Do 3 sets of 12 reps of this exercise.
- Lie on your back with your hands clasped on your abdomen. You should bend your knees and ankles so that only your heels are touching the ground.
- Contract your abdominal muscles and lift your glutes and hips off the ground until your knees, hips and shoulders form a straight line.
- Hold for 6 seconds, then slowly return to the starting position and rest for 10 seconds.
- Repeat the whole exercise.
Step 3. Try some glute exercises
These exercises strengthen the glutes, which are important for straightening and rotating the leg. Do 3 sets of 12 reps of this exercise.
- Lie on your back with your knees straight and your ankles 90 degrees off the floor.
- Use your elbow to lift your upper body.
- Contract your glutes as much as possible and hold the position for 6 seconds. Relax for 10 seconds, then repeat the exercise.
Step 4. Do hamstring curls
This exercise allows you to develop the muscles of the back of the thigh. Do 3 sets of 12 reps of this exercise.
-
Lie on your stomach with your hands folded to support your head.
You can put a towel under your knee if you feel pain or discomfort on the kneecap
- Bend the injured knee towards the back of the thigh.
- Return the injured knee to the starting position with a free fall, but contract the muscles as soon as the leg is about to touch the ground. Then keep lowering it.
- Repeat the exercise to complete the series.
Step 5. Try the heel lifts
This exercise will improve your calf strength. Do 3 sets of 12 reps of this exercise.
-
Stand behind the back of a chair and hold it to stay balanced.
Your feet should be 6 inches apart
- Slowly lift your heels off the ground. Keep your knees straight. Hold the position for 6 seconds, then slowly return to the starting position.
Step 6. Try the straight leg raise exercise
These exercises strengthen the quadriceps.
- Sit on the floor or on a mat with your legs straight in front of you.
- Lift your shoulders, using your forearms to hold the position.
- Contract the thigh muscles of the injured leg.
- Keep the thigh contracted and the knee straight as you lift the leg 3 to 5 cm off the ground.
- Do this exercise with each leg 5-10 times.
- Hold each contraction for 5 seconds.
- Over time you should be able to complete 30 reps with each leg holding the position for 10 seconds.
Step 7. Train your hips to increase strength
Hip adductions will strengthen the hip muscles and improve their stability.
- Lie on the ground or on a mat with your legs bent.
- Put a pillow between your knees.
- Squeeze your knees together.
- Hold the position for 5 seconds.
- Rest for 5 seconds.
- Repeat 5-10 times.
- As you get stronger, increase the number of repetitions to 30 and hold the position for 10-15 seconds.
Step 8. Strengthen your calves with calf lifts
These exercises strengthen the muscles of the lower legs and allow you to support them correctly.
- Stand facing a wall.
- Put your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Point your toes straight in front of you.
- Lift your heels so you stay on your toes.
- Start with a set of 10, holding each lift for 5 seconds.
Step 9. After your workout, bandage your knee and use ice to control swelling
Keeping the knee elevated, using ice, and bandaging should allow you to control swelling. If you notice that your knee swells more or that the pain gets worse after training, reduce the swelling with the methods suggested above.
- You can keep ice on your knee for 15-20 minutes.
- Make sure you keep a barrier between the skin and the ice; otherwise you could damage the fabrics.
- You can put ice on your knee every hour.
- Reducing the swelling will decrease the pain.
- Rest your knee and consult your physical therapist or surgeon before resuming your training program.
Step 10. Use crutches or a brace if advised by your doctor
If your doctor instructs you to do this, use a brace or crutches to move. Avoid limping and aggravating your injury.
Method 3 of 4: Prepare for Surgery Day
Step 1. Stop eating and drinking at midnight the night before surgery
Generally, you are asked to fast for at least 12 hours before the surgery. Staying fast will reduce the chances of suffering from nausea during the surgery, a possible side effect of anesthesia.
- Fasting includes chewing gum, mints, and other small foods.
- You can brush your teeth; just don't swallow water or toothpaste.
Step 2. Ask someone to take you home after the surgery
You will be advised not to drive after the surgery, due to the residual effects of the anesthesia. Ask someone to take you home so you can be discharged without delay.
Your driver can also help you take the necessary medications for post-operative treatment
Step 3. Put on your glasses but leave unnecessary items at home
Try to avoid putting anything on your body that could accidentally interfere with the surgery. This includes jewelry, makeup, perfume, colognes, creams, etc. Also, wear glasses and not contact lenses, as your eyes may be dry during the surgery.
Step 4. Bring the necessary documents to the hospital
To expedite the registration process and to ensure that you are ready for intervention on time, be sure to bring the necessary documents. Carrying these documents with you and having them on hand will save you time by avoiding having to rummage through your bags or having to go home to retrieve them. Brings:
- A photo identification document (driving license or identity card).
- Your health card.
- A form of payment - if you haven't covered this already.
- The list of medications you take, their dosages and when to take them.
- You should also carry a list of medications that you are allergic to or that have caused you to react with you.
- Crutches or walker if needed.
- Bring a container for glasses, dentures, and hearing aids if needed. All these items will be removed before the surgery.
Method 4 of 4: Eat Foods That Will Help You Heal
Step 1. Nutrient-rich foods can help you speed up the recovery process
It is important to note that, in some cases, the healing process after surgery is slow, and in some cases it may not even be successful. For this, you will need to eat the right amounts and types of foods before surgery to have the best chance of recovering and healing.
Step 2. Focus on protein-rich foods
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and without proteins the body cannot heal. Getting enough protein in your diet will allow your muscles to regenerate properly and quickly.
For this reason, eat lean meats, legumes, and fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, and trout
Step 3. Eat more kiwifruit to speed up your recovery
Even though kiwifruit looks small to you, they have a high density of nutrients that help you recover. Kiwis contain a lot of vitamin C (almost double what you can find in oranges). They also contain large amounts of fiber, potassium, phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins, and more.
- Vitamins, minerals and potassium help in the formation of collagen, which is essential for the healing of the graft.
- Aim to eat at least two kiwis a day.
- Kiwifruit contains more antioxidants when very ripe.
Step 4. Eat cherries to reduce swelling
Cherries are rich in anti-inflammatory substances that will reduce swelling of the knee. Also, after the surgery, the properties of cherries will reduce pain and swelling.
Step 5. Eat guava to speed up healing
These fruits are rich in antioxidants, lycopene and vitamin C. These substances aid healing by promoting the formation of collagen and reducing inflammation.
Step 6. Make sure you stay hydrated
Your body doesn't work well if it's not hydrated. Water keeps cells healthy, and consequently contributes to your recovery.
This means that you will need to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day
Advice
- LCA reconstruction surgery is a minor operation, which means you can go home after the surgery.
- When you go to the hospital for surgery, wear loose or short pants. This will make sure you don't have any problems with the bandage.
- Relax before and during the operation. If you have high blood pressure, the surgeon may delay surgery because high blood pressure can increase the risk of bleeding. Watch TV, read magazines or do whatever you like to relax.
- Learn to use crutches. There's a good chance you'll need to use them after surgery.
Warnings
- Avoid activities that damage your health, such as addictions, lack of sleep, and high-risk behaviors.
- Smoking lowers the oxygen levels in the body. Your cells need oxygen to heal better.
