ACL Reconstruction

Wound care

Remove your surgical dressing on the second day after surgery. Keep incisions clean and dry, use waterproof bandages for showering, and do not soak or immerse them.

Brace

Wear your brace locked in full extension (leg straight) at all times, day and night, except for hygiene and prescribed exercises.

Ice

Use your ice machine or ice packs 20 minutes every 2 hours until your first post-operative visit. Keep a thin towel between the ice and your skin.

Medications

• Pain medicine (Norco or Percocet): 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 12 tablets in 24 hours. Do not take extra Tylenol with it.
• Take a daily aspirin as prescribed to help prevent blood clots.
• Use a stool softener as needed, pain medicine commonly causes constipation.

Showering, activity & driving

Shower with incisions covered by waterproof bandages, no baths, pools, or hot tubs. Do not drive until cleared, and never while taking narcotic pain medicine.

Physical therapy & follow-up

Your formal physical therapy plan is discussed at your first post-operative visit, typically 7-14 days after surgery.

When to call us

• Fever above 101.5°F
• Pain that will not let up, or painful swelling / numbness
• Increasing redness or continuous drainage / bleeding from the incision
• A change in the color of the operated arm or leg
• Difficulty breathing, or excessive nausea / vomiting

For a true emergency, call 911. For non-urgent questions about your recovery, please contact our office.