ACL Replacement Tomorrow Morning

[Woodlandclown]

wow, those pics are crazy. not to make you feel worse, but to make everyone else (woodland, skirain) feel better, i had a cadaver allograft too and my leg looked nothing like yours after my surgery! i didn't use a pain pump, whatever that is, but i had no bruising on the shin, no bloody yuck yuck (no bleeding at all, actually), nothing really. just some scabs under surgical tape and a bit of swelling. not much pain either. just in case the pre-op folks are getting nervous...its nothing to be scared of, promise! i remember going into it- it seemed way worse (and way more dramatic) than it actually is. YOU WILL ALL BE FINE! check my allograft report thread for more info, and good luck!

anyway, sounds like you're doing well overall, minus the gnarliness. second the shorts comment. comfy mesh shorts are the best thing ever for post knee surgery! also second getting off the drugs asap...they usually prescribe WAY more than you actually need.

have fun with rehab!!

I was just re-reading yours today actually!

[FreakofSnow]

Parts of this thread, particularly pics and some of the post-op description, are causing me to get cold feet about going through with the surgery. Fortunately, that's offset by all the positive stuff, encouragement from people, and progress of recovery. Definitely going to keep checking this thread. I'm most likely having my knee reconstructed mid-June. Mammoth mini is going to be my last hurrah on skis for a while.

Not to hijack SSD's thread (btw I hope you heal up quick mang), but for more happy knee stuff check out my blog on my recovery - http://kneetopia.blogspot.com

[SponsoredByDuctTape]

Some pre-op tips, just for the hell of it:

-Pretty obvious, but have a comfortable place set up where you can run the CPM, watch TV, use the computer, etc. We have a sectional in the living room that's done the trick nicely; you probably don't want to have to spend all day in bed- that'll get uncomfortable.

-Get some crappy or dark-colored sheets to cover your lounge spot and for your bed. There will likely be some bleeding; I've already trashed some nice linens. Oh well.

-Mesh/lacrosse shorts are your #1 wardrobe item. Ms. Dallas has long wondered why I have about 15 pairs; it's just for occasions like this.

-This is post-op, but- get off the heavy drugs ASAP, or just try taking half a pill. That shit is poison.

-Always plan on having major surgery during the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. Awesome.

I'll echo the advice above. Loose, track-style sweats are also good - essentially the same as the mesh shorts, but longer.

Re the drugs: The doc went crazy and gave me Oxycontin and Percocet - one Oxycontin every 12 hours and one Percocet every 4 hours. The Oxycontin works really well, but definitely makes you feel shitty when it wears off. I got off that 2 days after getting home. I've only been taking 1 Percocet at bed time, sometimes only a half. To be honest, I don't feel the Percocet doing anything at all. I also haven't noticed any withdrawal effects when I've forgotten to take it. As far as I know, the script I got is a placebo. I guess it's different for everybody.

One more thing: If you get crutches, be very careful on tile/linoleum. I slipped on a puddle in a bathroom the other day and ate shit. That's scary as hell when you just had surgery.

[SkiBrain]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone, especially the pain med info. Been checking out most of the knee threads off and on since finding out 1.5 months ago that the acl was completely gone and needed surgery.

Really appreciate all the useful info people have shared re: their experiences, even the pictures, gross as they may be. Never been through any kind of big surgery before and this is helping me to prepare and know what to expect.

Good luck with the upcoming surgery Woodlandclown. Will be interested to hear about your experience as well, but for now try to enjoy the rest of your pre-surgery time as much as possible.

[FredsTrees]

Thanks for all the great tips everyone, especially the pain med info. Been checking out most of the knee threads off and on since finding out 1.5 months ago that the acl was completely gone and needed surgery.

Really appreciate all the useful info people have shared re: their experiences, even the pictures, gross as they may be. Never been through any kind of big surgery before and this is helping me to prepare and know what to expect.

Good luck with the upcoming surgery Woodlandclown. Will be interested to hear about your experience as well, but for now try to enjoy the rest of your pre-surgery time as much as possible.

Pictures of my knees from the Acl Patella Graft from the Opposite knee...Day 14

Obviously if you are into cute scars and no blood, this is not the option. However the graft is rock solid and the recovery time is way better..

[gorms]

^^^^why not take the graft from the knee that is already damaged?

[drmark]

Easy answer:

Mild pain is both knees, is way better than severe pain in one knee. Both knees require half as much rehab as a knee that had the graft taken from itself.

Besides both knees do rehab in the gym at the same time. There is really no extra effort required.


Remember, that you are only as good as you worst knee.

one knee with severe pain and disability vs. two knees with mild pain and disability.

[gorms]

Interesting....my doc had the exact opposite opinion for the same reasons.
Either way i wish all currently going through this a full and speedy recovery

[Woodlandclown]

I just had an interview with the pre-admission testing staff and they said that I should be first surgery of the day on April 7, which is awesome because then i'll be home early, only come to find out that with most ACLR surgeries they keep you overnight!! I thought my doc said that a while back, but i thought that would be if my surgery was later in the day. that kind of sucks. i want to go home! ugh!

How come everyone on here got to go home the same day???

[Steven S. Dallas]

only come to find out that with most ACLR surgeries they keep you overnight!!

Really? I know (unfortunately) a bunch of people who've had this procedure and none of them, myself included, have had to stay overnight. It's not that painful, and you're not under long enough to be completely looped out of your skull when you come to. That sucks.

I had my first PT session today. Since I'm pretty good about exercising on my own, the therapist decided I'd be better off going less often but over a longer period of time. So I'll be in there bright and early, twice a week, for 10 weeks. I'm pumped. We didn't really do very much today, just the exercises I've been doing as the therapist observed to get a sense of what I can handle at this point. Decent news on the ROM front, as I'm within a degree or two of neutral/extension and at 103 deg/flexion- apparently that's good for 10 days out of surgery. Still, with the good wheel at 143 deg/flexion, I have a long way to go. Only using one crutch now; don't really need it but it's good for whacking people who are walking too slowly in front of me.

Most important, though, is that the ridiculous handlebar mustache I grew during my week out of the office prevents anyone from having a serious conversation with me. Helps ease back into the workplace a little better... Woodland, don't have any suggestions for you here.

[orangey]

No overnight for me. In at 7:00 am for first surgery of the day, awake in recovery at 10:30, out the door by 11:00 and home by noon with Krystal chicks and mepergan!

[Steven S. Dallas]

It is very sweet to be first surgery of the day... The scheduler at my ortho's office had me get to the hospital at 6 AM even though I was batting third; didn't end up getting cut until 11- meaning I had to sit in the waiting room for three hours, then sit in the pre-operation room wearing a surgical smock with an IV in my arm for two. Really the only negative part of the whole experience.

BRING A BOOK, just in case.

[Buzzworthy]

Your leg looks familiar:





Lower pic 7 days post op. Did dead guy graft too.




Did you get a Cryocuff? This is so worth the $125.
http://www.betterbraces.com/ViewProducts/AircastKneeCryo/Cuff%e2%84%a2/194.aspx


No motor, uses gravity. Fill in am with ice and water, put jug above knee to fill, below to suck out the warm water, repeat. Lasts all day till the wife gets home to refill with more ice.

[Mofro261]

2x on the cooler, I still use mine. Though it's hard to get 2 beer bottles in there at once.

[Steven S. Dallas]

Did you get a Cryocuff? This is so worth the $125.

No, I should have. Crutching to and from the kitchen for icepacks got really fucking old really fast.

GET A CRYOCUFF.

[Buzzworthy]

No, I should have. Crutching to and from the kitchen for icepacks got really fucking old really fast.

GET A CRYOCUFF.

Pull out the card and order it. I got mine right from the above link (mom paid though ).

Cuff and cooler for $125. Yes, one year out now and I used mine yesterday after Solitude. Should last a long time.

My insurance did not pick it up, but I will bet you the $125 that this is the best $125 you will spend for knee comfort!!!

I got mine in 2 days after day of order. Highly recommended as it cools the WHOLE knee area, not just like a cold pad.

[Buzzworthy]

2x on the cooler, I still use mine. Though it's hard to get 2 beer bottles in there at once.

Cuff stays on knee, put cooler handle in one hand with crutch, beer bottle in each pocket and carefully get back to bed. Cool knee, open top, place beer bottles in ice.

[Steven S. Dallas]

I think I'll need this one... I'm a lot of man.

[Buzzworthy]

Well Hello Mr. Ed!

[Woodlandclown]

Really? I know (unfortunately) a bunch of people who've had this procedure and none of them, myself included, have had to stay overnight.

It must just be my hospital or my doc. On thursday I'll probably run into a friend who had same surgery with same doc and find out. Otherwise, I'd rather be the last surgery of the day, not the first.

I have been borrowing a friends cryocuff since Dec and will third the recommendation to purchase one. I dont think my friend is getting hers back for a long time.

[SkiBrain]

Wow! That cryocuff gizmo looks amazing, especially after icing my knee the old fashion way. People had mentioned it, but I hadn't seen what it looks like 'til now. I see what all the fuss is about.

Love the sound of your set up Buzz with the beer bottles nearby!

[Buzzworthy]

Wow! That cryocuff gizmo looks amazing, especially after icing my knee the old fashion way. People had mentioned it, but I hadn't seen what it looks like 'til now. I see what all the fuss is about.

Love the sound of your set up Buzz with the beer bottles nearby!

Add remote, laptop, wireless connection, cell phone and pain pills.
Not as bad if you make it like that.


Yes, everyone told me to get a cyrocuff and yes, it is all it is hyped up to be. Your knee will like you much better, especially after PT starts. I brought mine to PT for a few weeks even.


How is the knee today SSD?

[SponsoredByDuctTape]

The Cryocuff seems similar to the Iceman they gave me, except that the Iceman is motorized.


Works same way. Fill with ice, pour in water, turn on. It's got an in and out tube that attaches to different cuffs. They gave me this cuff.


Works awesome. It's got a "Cold" adjustment that I think is really just a flow control valve. It seems like the Iceman is more $ than the Cryocuff. The only thing about the Iceman is that the cuff doesn't wrap around your leg by itself - you need some kind of sleeve or velcro to hold it on.

[comish]

It is very sweet to be first surgery of the day... The scheduler at my ortho's office had me get to the hospital at 6 AM even though I was batting third; didn't end up getting cut until 11- meaning I had to sit in the waiting room for three hours, then sit in the pre-operation room wearing a surgical smock with an IV in my arm for two. Really the only negative part of the whole experience.

BRING A BOOK, just in case.

Try being the last surgery of the day. I was scheduled for something like 5pm but didn't end up getting cut until 9pm YEAH. Ended up spending the night as a result...

Very jealous of your knee flexion. I'm somewhere in the 50's like 6 weeks after surgery, but for those just tuning in, mine is not an ACL... Down to one crutch, which in addition to wacking people, even more importantly lets me hold a drink in one hand!

[Steven S. Dallas]

How is the knee today SSD?

No real news from yesterday, except that I got to sit in the handicapped section of the Wiltern Theater for a Black Keys show. Yay, crutches.

Well, there is a little news, which is that my knee hurts. Specifically, I'm having impingement-type pain around the perimeter of my patella when I flex to about 90 deg. The PT said it was probably inflamed because I've been on my feet more the last couple of days (back at work and probably getting overly confident walking around), so I'm really going to dial my non-rehab activities back until the swelling goes down. I ordered a Cryocuff so that should help. Passive ROM is a couple degrees better, despite the patellar discomfort.

The other thing that's holding me back is pretty significant pain in the upper back and medial part of my calf. Anyone else have this experience?

Try being the last surgery of the day. I was scheduled for something like 5pm but didn't end up getting cut until 9pm YEAH.

Ugh, shitty. Where did you get it done? I was at the Good Samaritan over on Wilshire, seemed decent enough.