Going through the process of having ACL surgery can be very
difficult and stressful. Once you have your surgery
date scheduled, there are several things you can do to make sure
that everything runs smoothly following surgery and to help you
make a full recovery.
1. Begin physical therapy prior to surgery.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend that you begin physical
therapy prior to your surgery to work on reducing swelling,
improving your range of motion and to work on your leg
strength. It has been our experience that patients who
receive physical therapy prior to surgery typically have a better
outcome; it is also helpful for the actual surgery because
many physicians will not perform ACL surgery if the knee is
stiff and swollen. Beginning physical
therapy before surgery will give you a chance to meet and
become comfortable with your physical therapist which should reduce
some of the apprehension following surgery. Your PT can help
you understand what will happen during the procedure and what to
expect afterwards. When choosing your physical
therapist, try to find someone who has experience working with
patients who have had ACL surgery. A positive
recommendation from your surgeon, friend or teammate is
helpful.
2. Get any equipment you may need.
Following your surgery, you will most likely be using crutches
for several weeks. Your physical therapist will fit
your crutches for you and teach you the proper way to use them for
walking and managing stairs. Using crutches that are not fit
well or using them improperly will not allow you to use the proper
gait pattern and may lead to injury. Your physical therapist
may also recommend having some exercise equipment at home such as
an exercise ball and resistance bands to help with your home
exercise program.
3. Take care of any insurance issues.
The office staff at your physical therapist office should be
able to help you get all of the insurance issues squared away
before your surgery. This may include getting a referral
or authorization from your insurance company. If you
were injured at school or as part of a team, they may have
insurance which can help cover some of your costs. It is very
helpful to know all of your financial obligations or visit
limitations beforehand so that you can plan accordingly.
4. Schedule your physical therapy appointments ahead of
time.
Following ACL surgery, most patients will begin physical therapy
within 2-7 days after surgery. We have found that
patients who begin physical therapy soon after surgery do better
than those who wait. Speak with your surgeon regarding when
he or she wants you to begin physical therapy and schedule
your first appointment. Most patients are seen three
times per week for the first month, so you can get those
appointment scheduled in advance as well.
5. Make sure you have someone to help you.
After surgery, you are going to need help at home and have
someone available to drive you to physical therapy or your doctor's
appointments. Try to have this coordinated prior to having
your surgery.