How Painful Is ACL Surgery?

Given the weight our legs carry daily, it is not surprising that many people have leg injuries, particularly around the knees. One of the most prevalent knee injuries, especially in sports, is the injury to the ACL. It is caused due to the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is responsible for holding your knee bones together. While ACL injuries are getting more frequent, ACL surgeries are also becoming more common. Regardless of the outcome of surgery, many individuals wonder how painful the surgery would be. This article aims to answer this question while discussing ways to alleviate pain.

How Painful is an ACL Surgery?

The procedure is not painful since your surgeon either puts you to sleep (general anesthesia) or numbs the region that is to be operated causing you to lose feeling in your legs for 2 to 3 hours (regional or epidural anesthesia). The pain usually begins a few hours after surgery when the anesthetic starts to wear off. As you wake up, you may experience nausea, lightheadedness, and pain in specific areas, which may include:

1. The site of the incision

Your surgeon will make two incisions: one for inserting an arthroscope (a fiber-optic video camera that looks within your joint and broadcasts images to a high-definition video monitor), and another for inserting a medical instrument to operate on the site. As these areas are sutured, you may experience some discomfort and pain.

2. The site of the graft

A graft is a healthy piece of skin or bone that is removed from a person’s body to replace a damaged area. Your surgeon could take this graft from your other knee or a deceased donor. If the graft will be taken from your other knee, you may experience tenderness in the other knee.

3. The site of the bone drilling

You may experience some bone pain where your thigh bone and shin bone are drilled. Your surgeon will drill sockets into these bones to carefully position the graft. The graft is then secured to your bones with screws or other devices.

4. The site of intubation (tube insertion in your throat)

During the surgery, your anesthesiologist will insert a tube into your mouth and down your windpipe to ensure that you receive adequate oxygen. You will have soreness in the throat for the first 1 to 2 days along with difficulty in talking, drinking, and swallowing. Most patients who are administered general anesthesia have this intubation done.

How Long Will The Pain Last?

The first week following the surgery might be challenging since you will most likely be in pain. However, healing pain will be manageable with the help of icing, compression, and a few pain medications. Your pain will decrease after a week or two, allowing you to cut back on your pain medication and continue your rehabilitation with less discomfort. Pain may be accompanied by swelling and bruising, both of which are temporary and will eventually fade with time.

What Measures Can You Take to Reduce The Pain?

Pain management ensures comfortable recovery. There are various methods that you may apply to alleviate your pain. One of the best approaches recommended by almost all physicians is R.I.C.E., which stands for rest, ice, compress, and elevate.  

• Rest

Resting the affected region is critical for reducing discomfort. Immobilizing (stopping someone or something from moving) the area minimizes additional injuries and allows the body to rest.

• Ice

Icing decreases blood flow from the blood vessels around the knee. For the first few days after surgery, apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day. Do not apply ice directly on the area as it may cause ice burns.

• Compress

Compression helps to reduce the risk of blood clots and swelling, caused by surgery. Use a compression strap/stocking, if your doctor recommends you wear it.

• Elevate

This approach of elevating the leg will alleviate your knee discomfort. Place a couple of pillows under your leg to elevate it higher than your hips while lying down or sleeping.

R.I.C.E. technique is applicable immediately after the surgery. It not only reduces pain but also facilitates recovery and improves your knee’s range of motion.

There are several other ways to manage pain post-ACL surgery:

• After your surgery, you’ll probably be given powerful medications, followed by a less dose for the next several days and weeks. 
• Avoid placing all of your weight on the injured leg since this can aggravate the pain. For the first several days, your doctor might advise crutches to assist you to getting around. With crutches, you can use the weight-bearing technique to maintain proper blood circulation and maintain your knee’s flexibility.
• Bracing is yet another way to manage pain and prevent a subsequent injury. It reduces graft strain and is applicable during sports to prevent any pain during vigorous movements.
• Your physical therapist will also advise you to exercise to improve stability while walking and enhance healing. This begins with gentle exercises that help reduce pain in case of full movement and also strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.

Takeaway

It s normal to experience pain and discomfort as you recover from surgery. However, the medical team will educate you on how o take to manage pain and discomfort with medication and other therapies. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions and contact your healthcare provider if you experience any excesspain or omptoms. You can contact us at Medfin for ACL surgery in bangalore and recovery. We can guide you at each step and make your job easier.

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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.