ACL and Meniscus Surgery Recovery Timeline

It’s very common in the soccer field to witness a player who turns and falls while holding a knee, and the examination quickly concludes a “ACL” injury.

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or meniscus (cartilage) tear is most likely the cause of the issue.

Both can cause excruciating agony and require months of recovery and days off for the athlete.

The cushion between the femur and tibia on the outside of the knee is called the lateral meniscus. The menisci's two primary roles are to increase knee joint stability and absorb shock.

The medial and lateral meniscus are two types of menisci. The lateral meniscus lies on the outside of the knee, whereas the medial meniscus is located on the inside.

ACL and Meniscus Surgery

An allograft (tissue from a human organ donor) or a piece of the patient's own iliotibial band, hamstring, quadriceps, or patellar tendon are the two possible sources of replacement tissue used in ACL reconstruction surgery.

Each patient's graft type is chosen individually; however, because of the much-increased risk of reinjury and graft failure, allograft tissue is not recommended for younger individuals.

Sports medicine doctors and orthopedic surgeons typically treat complete ACL injuries with an ACL reconstruction procedure, which replaces the damaged ligament with a tissue transplant that closely resembles the normal ACL.

Many surgeons and sports medicine doctors recommend treating ACL injuries using a multidisciplinary approach, not a single surgical approach as the case for spine surgery.

Orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors, physiatrists, radiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together to choose the best course of action for each patient.

The extent of the ACL injury and the patient's lifestyle determine whether surgery is required. An ACL that is totally torn cannot mend by itself.

Reconstruction surgery for a total ACL tear is typically planned for three to six weeks following the accident.

As a result, the area's inflammation can lessen, and physical therapy sessions can concentrate on reestablishing normal knee flexion and extension.

Patients who have restricted knee range of motion and undergo surgery too soon may get arthrofibrosis, a severe scarring reaction that causes the knee joint to become rigid.

Thus, many patients may prefer other options to treat knee pains, such as PRP injections for knee pains.

ACL and Meniscus Surgery Recovery

A common injury among athletes is a partial or total tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee.

ACL injuries take longer to recover than meniscus tears, which typically heal in three months or less (with and without surgery).

It takes around three to six months to recover if surgery is not required. Torn meniscus and ACL surgery recovery time might take anywhere from six months to a year.

After an ACL reconstruction, it typically takes a patient 9 to 12 months to resume sports participation, depending on the activity, level of competition, and physical therapy progress.

Each patient has ACL healing pain to varying degrees, which can be effectively managed with medicines.

Thus, each patient has a different ACL surgery recovery time. The restoration of knee joint proprioception, range of motion, and muscular strength serve as the basis for determining whether a patient has fully healed.

To reduce swelling, raise the leg as close to chest level as you can. Instead of placing cushions behind the knees, lay them beneath the foot or ankle.

Use crutches to help you walk; you won't be able to bear your own weight for six weeks for a smoother ACL meniscus surgery recovery.

For the first seven to ten days after surgery, avoid activities that exacerbate knee discomfort or swelling, such as extended standing or walking.

For two weeks, refrain from long-distance travel and prolonged sitting (without elevating your legs). No driving until a doctor gives you the all-clear.

Torn ACL and Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time

Some patients may continue to have knee discomfort or instability following reconstructive ACL surgery.

It typically takes six months to recover from surgery, but it can take up to a year before you can resume your sport's rigorous training regimen.

For four to six weeks, we let patients walk with the assistance of two crutches while protecting their knees with a knee brace.

As the case for back injuries, a vital component of rehabilitation is physiotherapy, which helps preserve the quadriceps muscles' strength and function.

As the knee heals following ACL surgery, physiotherapy also helps to reduce swelling and increase knee flexibility.

ACL And Meniscus Surgery Recovery Timeline

The actual ACL procedure, which uses keyholes or minimally invasive procedures, takes around 90 minutes.

Following surgery, patients often spend one night in the hospital after receiving general anesthesia. This is to make sure that any discomforts are well managed with medicines. The timeline includes:

Week 1-2

Knee braces and crutches must be used in the first week. Knee movement must be passive and knee swelling must be regularly monitored. Exercises that strengthen the calf, hamstring, and quads are not bad during this time.

Week 3-4

Enhancing walking with one crutch and improving gait with active and passive knee movement is great for Quadriceps, hamstring, and calf muscles during the first month.

Week 5-6

You can start now by increasing the intensity of knee strengthening exercises and general knee movements while gradually decreasing the use of the knee brace. Exercise progression is contingent on knee strength, discomfort, and swelling.

Week 10

Dynamic motions in the forward, backward, and lateral directions with Isokinetic exercises are allowed now, but with caution of course.

Month 3

Functional workouts like leaping and sprinting are allowed now. As proprioception and coordination improve, faster direction changes are ok.

Month 4-5

You can now increase knee-stabilizing muscle strength and endurance and enhance neuromuscular control.

You can also try strengthening muscles and knee motions with exercises for acceleration and deceleration that incorporate running and turning variants.

ACL And Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time Off Work

If pain is manageable, the patient may resume school or sedentary employment ONLY three to four days after surgery.

After surgery, we usually advise not playing sports like football or basketball for ten to twelve months, just like what is recommended after back surgery.

About six months following surgery, the new ACL graft actually experiences bodily remodeling and change, which is when it is at its weakest.

In order to strengthen the knee stabilizer muscles and keep the new graft from rupturing, the following six months are crucial.

After a decent recovery period of four to five months, patients and athletes who engage in non-contact sports or activities that do not involve a change of direction at high speed can safely resume these low-risk activities.

Depending on your recuperation and athletic endeavors, your orthopedic surgeon and physiotherapist will provide you with tailored guidance.

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