how long after acl reconstruction (patellar autograft) with medial meniscus repair and lateral meniscectomy can one start taking anti-inflammatories?

Question

I tore my ACL (complete tear, patella tendon), MCL (minor tear, bioscrews and stitches), and meniscus (had to trim 1/3). How long before I can run?

Answer 1

Varies: Surgeons vary on their opinion about this, so you would probably want to check with your individual surgeon. The general idea is that the healing process of the bone plug on your graft includes an inflammatory stage for the first 4 weeks or so that could be potentially inhibited by taking an antiinflammatory.

Answer 2

One week postop.: Generally speaking, one week after surgery is ok, assuming there are no blood thinner issues.

Answer 3

Biking: Biking is a great way to help regain range of motion and strength after ACL reconstruction. Later in the rehab process, lunges and squats would be appropriate. But it is important to progress slowly and with proper form. I highly recommend that you seek guidance from a physical therapist who can help with your exercise progression and technique.

Answer 4

Quad and hamstrings: Typically, the quadriceps and hamstrings which are the secondary stabilizers of the knee are strengthened following acl reconstruction. Depending on the time from surgery and what type of graft and protocol your surgeon follows, an exercise program focused on these muscle groups as well as riding a stationary bike form the cornerstone of treatment.

Answer 5

Knee pain: Avoid giving narcotics no matter how sorry you feel for your daughter unless she is in severe pain and the medication is prescribed by your doctor. Conventionally, ice, heat, compression wrap, elevation is used. Avoid offensive activity. Wear brace if prescribed.

Answer 6

Physical Measures: Elevation and icing should be your primary treatment. An oral antiinflammatory will also help tremendously. Might also need a knee immobilizer. If you are not seeing a sport medicine specialist that might also be a good idea. These injuries can be quite painful and a low dose of an pain medicine like tramadol or lortab may help if the anti-inflammatories are not enough relief.

Answer 7

Ice.: Ice the knee for 20 minutes at a time, 4-5 times per day. If she can take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, that would help as well.

Answer 8

You won't: Your can focus on proper nutrition and exercise to work toward a goal of general overall fitness, but your knee will never be the same. If it is stable, you have normal (or near normal) range of motion, and it doesn't hurt (or at least pain isn't interfering with activity), then you are doing great.

Answer 9

Forever: You have suffered a severe traumatic knee injury - essentially a knee dislocation. Unfortunately, even after ligament reconstruction, your knee is unlikely to ever function the way it did before the injury.

Answer 10

No: It depends on the severity of the fracture and the amount of damage to the articular cartilage. If it is a low-energy injury that is nondisplaced and minimally symptomatic, it will probably heal up without any residual problems or arthritis. If it is a high-energy injury, displaced, comminuted (broken into many pieces), with a lot of articular cartilage damage, the prognosis is not as good.

Answer 11

Not likely: Fractured kneecaps or 'patella' can be repaired if the bone is displaced. Most patellar fractures will heal and not lead to arthritis. Rarely a damaged patella needs to be replaced after some time has passed, and rarely a knee replacement may be used.

Answer 12

No: Kneecap or patella fractures generally heal. Sometimes, many years later, arthritis can appear.

Answer 13

Yes: If the tear is slight, gait will be altered minimally. It is not uncommon for the ACL to have been stretched out a bit before the partial tearing occurred. This would create subtle instability that may not show itself with regualr walking but might become more noticeable with running and cutting during sports.

Answer 14

Yes: You only need a functional acl for pivoting type activities.

Answer 15

Yes.: Most partial acl tear will do very well with activities of daily living. With proper physical therapy, many people can even return to sports with a partial acl tear.

how long after acl reconstruction (patellar autograft) with medial meniscus repair and lateral meniscectomy can one start taking anti-inflammatories?

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