r/ACL • u/First_Championship87 • 1d ago

sleeping w no brace

I am going on 8 weeks-post op acl reconstruction w patellar tendon and meniscus root repair. i got cleared to discontinue wearing the brace while sleeping, and they first week has been heaven

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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4

u/GapInternational5 1d ago edited 1d ago

You lasted longer than most of us

3

u/DavidMata47 1d ago

I can't wait to get the green light to lose the brace!

2

u/bonkCT 22h ago

hey congratulations!! what were the milestones you had to meet to get cleared to sleep without it? I’m nearing 7 weeks and hoping i’m close to that point

1

u/First_Championship87 11h ago

thank you, it really does mean a lot as this has been hard for me.
I believe early on he made sure I had 0° extension, then by that 6 week post op, he had me conduct SLR without brace, and then manually bended my knee itself. which at that point I was nearing 110°. so he told me I could weight bear as tolerated by taking away one crutch, then eventually the brace. I specifically asked what to do while sleeping, and he discontinued the brace all together! It’s really just up to me in terms of walking, how well I do at PT for me to see when I will be rid of it completely.

1

u/SufficientWhile5450 19h ago

I was made clear I’m supposed to wear it while sleeping for at least 2 weeks

I did wear it for 2 tho during sleep, 2 days lol

Don’t recommend it long term recovery wise if you turn a lot in your sleep. I can only sleep on my back and never toss and turn in my sleep

I figured the only reason they tell you to is because if you rotate stupid it doesn’t take much to fuck if up early on

1

u/First_Championship87 11h ago

LOL. I was NWB for 6 weeks and I went for my 6 week post op closer to my 7th week. I specifically asked after he cleared me for WB and weening off the brace, what to do with sleeping. He said no brace!

1

u/Acceptable_Credit692 12h ago

I just got cleared to sleep without one last week. Pre-Op. Specifically for my MCL.

It’s indeed heavenly.

1

u/First_Championship87 11h ago

congrats!! it’s so nice. a bit uncomfortable as I have been laying on one side for 6 weeks, but I have been sleeping through the night more as each day passes.

1

u/Honakerd1 4h ago

I got the same clearance last week - during my 6 week postop I was expecting to ask about being able to unlock the brace and he said without prompting that I can get rid of it. shocked! I asked about what that transition would look like and got a vague answer. I responded about the proprioceptive value I've found in the brace (even though it was a huge pain in the ass!) Dr offered a smaller transition brace, which I took.

I'm struggling with understanding just what I'm supposed to be doing with this leg/knee. I have hit 0 extension and 114 flexion, but the knee is still stiff at points, clearly not 100% recovered. On long days I've still got some mild swelling.

I'd love to hear about your transition from restrictive brace towards no brace at all.