The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body of a human. The probability of having knee pain is high because this part has bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. If you are a sportsperson or a person who takes exercise seriously, you will at one point experience knee pain. Some knee pain reduces over time through home remedies, but in other instances, it prolongs, requiring you to see a doctor. Chronic knee pain can interfere with your daily routine to a great extent. You will not manage to walk to your favorite restaurant nor take a walk in the evening. Orthopedics specialized in pain management Albany helps you get back to enjoying walking by offering the necessary treatments and therapies. This article will tell you what to expect during Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery.
What Necessitates the Surgery
The orthopedic surgeon will recommend that you undergo surgery to remedy a torn ligament that causes you to experience the following;
- Increased knee instability
- Limited range of motion
- Popping sensation in the knee
- Rest and ice therapy do not reduce the inflammation
- Therapy exercise does little to increase knee stability
During the Surgery
The surgeon will give you general anesthesia before the procedures to prevent you from feeling pain. Then the surgeon performs a graft to obtain tissue from either yourself or a donor. The surgeon will perform a grafting in the hamstring, quadriceps, or patellar tendon if you provide the tissue. If someone is donating the tissue, the surgeon performs an allograft. The minimally invasive procedure makes use of arthroscopic techniques. A slender instrument containing a small camera is inserted, and the surgeon repairs the ligament while watching a high definition of the knee on a monitor.
Recovering from the Surgery
Though Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery is an outpatient procedure, you follow the recovery instructions to the letter. The following are things you should do after the surgery;
- Remain in the recovery room for a few hours and allow the healthcare providers to apply ice to the knee to reduce inflammation.
- Allow the healthcare provider to place a brace to secure the knee and reduce further swelling.
- Take your pain medication as prescribed.
- Apply ice on the knee at home and keep the leg elevated to promote blood circulation.
- Move the leg and walk to prevent blood clots.
- Three weeks after the surgery, see a physical therapist who will prescribe exercises that strengthen the knee.
- Keep off manual labor until the surgeon ascertains you are fully healed.
Factors That Determine Recovery
The rate of recovery differs from one person to another because of the following factors;
- The rate at which your body regenerates and heals.
- The surgical technique
- Postoperative rehabilitation
- The extent of the ligament tear
A ligament connects bones and guarantees joint motion. If you abruptly move and halt and experience excruciating pain in the knee, there is the possibility that you have a ligament tear. But worry not because the Orthopaedic Associates surgical specialist who ensures you return to your routine in the shortest time possible. Call or book an appointment online today.
