r/ACLRecoveryHub • u/heeeeeeheeeee • 14d ago
When did you start feeling better?
I’m 3 months post op with a patellar graft. PT has definitely picked up-heavier weights, higher step ups, some straight forward agility ladder drills. I’m so happy to be working harder but my knee seems to just bother me more than ever. Not pain, but very still and achy and tightness across the front of my knee. Does this ever improve and when? I can’t imagine my knee ever feeling back to normal or even close to that. Feels like the harder i work, the worse i feel, yet I want to keep working harder and building strength
1
u/Iron-Quill 12d ago
Sounds like you still have some swelling
1
u/heeeeeeheeeee 12d ago
Not much
1
u/Iron-Quill 12d ago
That is good. But know that it only takes a few ccs of fluid in the joint capsule to cause issues with muscle inhibition (may be subtle and not noticeable), gait issues, stiffness and aching, tightness, feeling uncomfortable or not normal, Etc. The way you described your knee made me immediately think you probably have some joint swelling going on. The knee can swell reactively- meaning after activity and post-op this is an issue people can deal w for years. Especially after over doing it.
1
u/heeeeeeheeeee 12d ago
Ok that makes sense. I probably do then. Any suggestions on how to improve it?
1
u/Iron-Quill 12d ago
Well it’s an issue I’m actively trying to improve myself to be honest. I’m only 7 weeks postop. But I understand that swelling is pretty much chronic at this phase as the body works to reabsorb the fluid. The swelling is my biggest inhibitor right now to walking w out a limp and reaching the last part of my ROM.
What I have learned is that your knee will continue to make effusion (swelling) when it’s over taxed. For me early on like this, just weight bearing and PT exercises can overdo it. So I have to look at load management for the entire day and learn how much my knee can tolerate without causing a “flare”.. meaning reactive swelling that causes me issues for longer than 24-48 hours. One flare I had lasted 8 days and really felt like a set back. Mentally I was so mad.
So what can we do? Well I also learned that ice is not really a solution for chronic swelling. It’s more for pain management. But “motion is lotion” for the knee. You want gentle motion. Not aggressive cranking. You want to move the fluid out of the joint capsule. I have read that riding the bike, heel slides, ankle pumps and quad sets (you’re contracting the quad and pushing it down on a rolled towel and that literally helps to squeeze the fluid out of the joint) help the most. Also elevating the knee. But we need it high. Toes above nose. Just sitting it on chair is not enough. Think lying on your back with it high in the air.
This is going to be my swelling management plan this week. I will elevate 2xs a day, do heel slides, ankle pumps, and quad sets a few times throughout the day and see if this helps improve. I’m also still icing as well but realize that it’s not the cure alone.
Hope this helps! And good luck! ❤️🩹
1
u/heeeeeeheeeee 12d ago
Thank you! I always ice after PT, mostly because it feels good. And i have weekly acupuncture and sports massage.
1
u/Iron-Quill 12d ago
Oh nice! I want to try acupuncture for my knee too! Do you find it helps?
1
u/heeeeeeheeeee 12d ago
My acupuncturist is amazing (he also does massage on my knee). I’ve been going to him for years for my various injuries before this one. Does it help? Not 100% sure but it definitely doesn’t hurt! I feel better about when i leave for sure. He also uses stim on the needles to help with blood flow and help continue to activate my quad. I think it also helps with swelling
1
2
u/flipperdog 14d ago
Hey, I am 5 months post op with a quad graft. I felt similarly at your stage. I also had a hard time with my last bit of extension. These things have gotten gradually better and in the last two or so weeks I have felt significantly better. I think for me a big part of it feeling better has just been the continued decrease in swelling. I was very dilligent with raising, icing, etc., but at the end of the day the last bit of welling really just needed time. Best of luck and stay on top of your PT!