How to recover from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery
It may take several months or longer to recover from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery. This can vary depending on your age and general health.
You'll usually be able to do most activities again within a few months. But it can take up to a year to be able to play sport again.
It's important to follow the advice you're given on looking after your knee to have a good recovery.
Recovering in hospital
After the operation, you'll spend some time in a recovery room, where you may be given medicines to help with the pain.
You'll have help from nurses and physiotherapists to start walking soon after the operation so you can go home as soon as possible.
Most people can leave hospital on the same day they have the operation.
Before you leave, a physiotherapist will talk to you about managing daily activities and home exercise programmes.
You may be given crutches and a knee brace to wear at first.
Recovering at home
You can usually go home when you have recovered from the procedure, can safely get around and your medical team feels you're ready.
Following the exercises early on in your recovery will help with the long-term strength and movement in your knee.
You'll have regular physiotherapy for a few months after the operation.
If you have stitches or clips that need to be taken out, the hospital will tell you how to take care of the wound and when the stitches or clips will be removed.
You'll also have a follow-up appointment about 2 to 3 weeks after the operation to check you're recovering well.
Do
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use crutches at first, if you've been given them – stop using them when your physiotherapist says you can
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use a brace if you've been told to wear one by your surgeon or physiotherapist – they'll tell you when you can stop wearing it
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get up and walk around as advised by your physiotherapist to prevent blood clots
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try to avoid twisting your knee, bending down and reaching up as much as possible
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take the painkillers you've been prescribed to help control your pain
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gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) wrapped in a tea towel on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling and ease pain – stop icing your leg if you have any numbness or loss of feeling
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keep your leg raised when resting to reduce swelling
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return to work when you feel ready – this is usually after about 4 to 6 weeks, but will depend on the type of work you do
Don’t
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do not put a pillow under your knee when resting
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do not use an ice pack on your knee if you have any numbness
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do not stand for long periods of time as this could cause swelling
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do not keep your leg straight when you're sitting down
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do not get the wound wet – follow the advice given to you by your hospital about showering or bathing
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do not drive until your medical team says you're fit to drive – make sure to tell your insurer