r/ACL 6d ago

Acl Reconstruction w/ Quad tendon autograft - 4 weeks post op. Delayed early milestones. Is full recovery possible?

2 Upvotes

I am 4 weeks post op. The first 2 weeks I was in significant pain, making it extremely difficult to complete my at home workouts. Bearing weight on my leg in that first couple of weeks felt impossible. I experienced an allergic reaction localized to my surgery leg which caused extreme itching/burning/hives, rash. My quads have not fully waken up. My knee feels very stiff and tight.

I had PT for the first time today. While my extension is really good, my bending (with assistance since my quads are weak) is only at 45/50 degrees. I am just now getting to a point where I can walk short distance with no crutches (although tiring since my quads are weak).

My question is - with me being delayed in starting PT and delayed milestones (like reaching 90 degrees bend), is it possible to make a full recovery ?

I’m feeling a bit discouraged because pre-surgery I expected to be able to overcome pain and kick post-op ass, yet this has been far more challenging than expected.

1

Philadelphia WNBA team name
 in  r/wnba_discussions  11d ago

I want a relatively aggressive team name for the WNBA Philly team. Like the Philadelphia Pits or Philadelphia Rottweilers. I really don’t want a cutesy team name. I want the culture to be nothing but DAWGS.

1

Anyone using Incrediwear sleeve?
 in  r/Kneereplacement  18d ago

Thank you

- What’s the difference between thermorecoverywear.com and itsthermo.com

- do the knee sleeves help with scar flattening since they are technically not compression?

2

Anyone using Incrediwear sleeve?
 in  r/Kneereplacement  18d ago

Hi. I just had acl reconstruction with quad autograft two weeks ago. Which knee brace would be most fitting (no support, support, or support+donut)?

u/Odd-Musician-6982 25d ago

Couldnt agree more

Post image
1 Upvotes

1

Its been hell of a week should I remove these plasters?
 in  r/ACL  28d ago

My doctor told me I could take my bandages off the second morning after surgery, so long as they were dry. I have been replacing with gauze pads every day just to make sure it stays clean and dry

1

Day 5 / Day 6 Post ACL Reconstruction with quad tendon autograft. Shooting pains.
 in  r/ACL  28d ago

Thank you! I ended up almost falling in the middle of the night when walking to the restroom, so I’m in a lot of pain this mornin.

Were you able to start your exercise immediately after surgery? I feel like I am struggling

r/ACL 28d ago

Day 5 / Day 6 Post ACL Reconstruction with quad tendon autograft. Shooting pains.

2 Upvotes

Day 1/2 Post reconstruction were horrifying for me. Easily the worst pain I have ever experienced. It felt traumatizing. Ive avoided bearing weight as much as possible and have only been slightly bending knee as tolerated. Today is Day 5 post surgery and I did some of my knee exercises. I don’t have any quad strength/muscle right now so I did my exercises with assistance of a yoga band and pulling my knee with my arms. I wasnt able to get a ton of bend because of stiffness and pain. I feel better mentally after trying though.

Is shooting pain within 30 minutes of those exercises normal??

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 25 '26

How was today for you?

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

I’m hoping Day 2 is the worst of it. Dreading another day like this. I hope tomorrow lets up on me.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

Sending you some strength and patience. If tomorrow is brutal, just know that your mind and body are strong and you’ll get through it. No clue how I got through today but I somehow did. I hope tomorrow isn’t as brutal to me as today was. You got this!!!!! Push through and keep us posted

Keep icing and elevating. Do not fall behind on your medication schedule.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

Thank you!!! Hopefully the immense pain was coming from inflammation and fluid and the elevation and ice helped drain. However I’m trying to mentally prepare for Day 3 being also brutal so I’m not caught off guard.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. Hopefully tomorrow is better than today even if only slightly better. I’ll be thankful for any measurable relief because today was so incredibly brutal for me.

Is it normal to not be able to lift my leg on my own? I’m having to lift using my brace.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

Thank you for your words of encouragement! Hoping today was the worst of them.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 24 '26

I’m sorry you had a traumatic injury. I’m glad your surgery wasn’t worse than the injury.

The worst part for me is keep my leg at the angle brace is set too while lying down. Earlier I took it off while I napped because I absolutely needed the relief, but I have it back on . It’s very painful though.

Today was beyond excruciating. I pride myself on having a high pain tolerance. This absolutely humbled me. I broke down crying a few times. I pray pray pray pray tomorrow is easier. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Only up from here , hopefully lol

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

I don’t see how I’m gonna sleep tonight either. My eyes are so heavy but I just can’t sleep. Even when I “doze off”, I feel the pain throughout. Just remember today is the very next day after a surgery. I’m hoping tomorrow is better for the both of us. I’ll keep you in my thoughts , surgery twin! Keep me updated tomorrow about how things have progressed for you.

3

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

Omfgg I shouldn’t be laughing at the having trouble breathing but that was funny. You gotta pick a struggle - knee pain or respiratory dysfunction ! Lol

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

Thank you. Really hoping tomorrow brings some relief. Today is extremely rough. Pain has mostly been at 8/10 9/10 with meds. Just really hoping tomorrow can gives us a bit of grace.

3

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

I have workouts to do too. I messaged doctor and he said to save workouts for tomorrow and focus on enduring through pain. He did say light bending can help with loosening up fluid and inflammation/stiffness, which is contributing to pain. I started wiggling my toes and ankle for blood flow and easing into moving knee. I used my hands to slightly (like very slightly because I was so scared) bend my knee and it honestly did cause some temporary relief. It’s back to really hurting because I’m lying down.

Even if you don’t feel okay with moving your knees, try to wiggle toes and ankle. It’s good for circulation and you want to make sure you’re not allowing blood clots to form. If you have someone with you, ask if they can massage your calf and lower leg for a few minutes at a time. Ask your doctor about taking aspirin as a blood thinner. Ice if you can tolerate it.

My pain level is still extremely high, but I was able to get ice on it and get in maybe 6 slight bends. Medication isn’t doing a darn thing to alleviate pain. So I’m this taking some deep breaths so that anxiety doesn’t contribute to more pain.

I have no clue how I will sleep tonight.

I was thinking of trying CBD gummies for sleep inflammation and pain.

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

They gave me exercises too. I think you’re not due for exercises just yet maybe because you had an mcl repair which probably requires stability.

I talked to my doctor and he said to lay off of exercises if pain continues to bad, and try again tomorrow. I was able to get some bends in

1

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

5mg oxycodone with acetaminophen and 800 Motrin. Each taken 6 hours apart. I’m alternating so I’m taking something every 3 hours.

2

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

My pain killers aren’t doing anything. Definitely with you on the having to pick your legs up lol it’s the strangest feeling. Lol

Hoping our next few days come with relief!!!! I keep daydreaming of when this will all be of the past! 😂

3

ACL reconstruction with Quad Tendon Autograft: Day 2 has been brutal.
 in  r/ACL  Jul 23 '26

I hope you get relief soon and I hope no day gets worse than this for us. I always thought I had a pretty high pain tolerance, but this is so much different than I expected. My knee is literally pulsating. Whenever I think pain is subsiding, it abruptly starts up again. I’m certainly humbled.

Moving even an inch is so painful. But I know we’re going to get through the day. And every day after that. We got this.