How Long Does Pain Last After ACL Surgery?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are becoming more common nowadys and they often need surgery to replace the damaged ligament. ACL surgeries have enhanced the quality of life for a great majority of patients so that they return to their prior level of activity or sport. Though surgeries produce better results, most of you are concerned about the postoperative pain and discomfort. This is however common with any surgical procedure and can be managed with medications and therapy. Let’s understand more about postoperative pain and how long it lasts after an ACL surgery.

Post Operative Pain After an ACL Surgery

Some amount of pain and discomfort is common post an ACL reconstruction surgery. Following the post-operative instructions clearly is key to get rid of the pain and improving your mobility. During the first few days after surgery, you will experience pain, redness and swelling which will gradually decline over 2 weeks with medications, rest and rehabilitation exercises. During the initial days, patients will have pain while doing their daily chores like getting up from bed, going to toilet, etc. Some patients develop anterior knee pain after an ACL repair and researchers have suggested that this occurs when patellar tendon autograft was used instead of hamstring tendon autograft. After your ACL surgery, patients may also develop some calf pain- this is normal and develops because of the patients inability to walk properly on both legs, thereby cause stress on the calf muscles. If patients have severe pain, redness, swelling in your whole leg and extreme pain on touching the calf area, then it may be a sign of development of a blood clot and should be treated immediately.

Why Does My Knee Still Hurt After ACL Surgery?

Most individuals anticipate returning to normal within a few days after an ACL surgery. However, this is not the case for the vast majority of people. While some people have less pain and recover quickly, for many, it takes 4 to 6 weeks or longer to get back to normal. 

Coming to why this pain and stiffness occur after ACL surgery, it is due to weak muscles around the knee and tightening of the soft tissue. This happens as a natural response of the body toward injuries and surgeries.

However, if your pain and stiffness persist for more than 1 to 3 months after surgery, you may need additional investigations. Some of the causes as to why your knee still hurts can be attributed to the following:

1. Bacterial Infection Following the Surgery

Bacterial infection of the knee is uncommon but a severe complication that your surgeon must rule out. Lookout for symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, and knee stiffness accompanying the persistent pain. There are specific tests to rule out an infection.

2. Stiff Knee Syndrome (Arthrofibrosis)

It happens when your knee joint is surrounded by excessive scar tissue, which restricts movement and causes terrible pain. It is caused when you keep your injured area immobile for a long period. You may notice that you have difficulty straightening/bending your knee.

3. Cyclops Lesion

Cyclops lesion is also a type of scar tissue formation after ACL reconstruction. Here, the scar tissue comes into formation at the front of your reconstructed ligament. It is accompanied with stiffness and pain after activity.  

4. Formation of Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

Blood clots may develop in the thigh or calf and travel to the lungs or brain through the bloodstream. Although the exact reason for the blood clot formation is unknown, a few factors may impact its development, including age, high blood pressure, and lengthy surgical procedures.

What to Do with Calf Pain After ACL Surgery? 

Calf pain is a common symptom after an ACL surgery and should improve in a few weeks. It can be caused by several factors, which include increased swelling, altered patterns in walking, decreased mobility, and engagement in new physical activities. Several methods can be used to reduce calf pain, which include:

1. Icing

It helps to reduce blood flow from the blood vessels around the knee. Apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day for the first few weeks following surgery. Ensure you do not apply ice directly over the area, as it may cause ice burns.

2. Compression

Compression aids in minimizing post-operative blood loss. Wear a compression strap over the knee until the pain and swelling subside.

3. Elevation

Elevating your leg will reduce the pain in your calf muscles. While lying down, place a few pillows beneath your leg to elevate it higher than your hips.

4. Medications

You’ll most likely be given strong medication in the first few weeks, followed by a lower dose for the next several days or weeks.

5. Physical Therapy

During the first two weeks following surgery, set aside time to stand and walk every one to two hours. Your physical therapist will instruct you on stretching exercises to help maintain the blood circulating in your leg and prevent blood clots. 

Calf pain should improve within the first few weeks of surgery. However, if the discomfort lasts long, you should seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor will perform additional tests to rule out blood clots in your leg or any other medical conditions. 

Takeaway

Some amount of pain and swelling is normal after an following ACL surgery and this will gradually disappear. However, coping with the pain and focusing on your rehabilitation and physical therapy are essential since they are key to your recovery. Persistent pain is however not a good indication, and it is important that you seek medical assistance in order to determine the cause.

Get in touch with our experienced doctors at Medfin to have your queries answered. We provide the most recent surgical procedures to promote a faster recovery. Our doctors for ACL surgery in Bangalore at Medfin are knowledgeable in the latest and most advanced, minimally invasive techniques and will assist you at every step of your recovery.

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Disclaimer: The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.