Rehabilitation after cruciate ligament surgery
Rehabilitation steps after surgeries can help in the recovery that a person gets and thus give a greater possibility to return to the person’s normal condition. In the following, we will learn more about the details and steps of rehabilitation after the cruciate ligament operation.
Rehabilitation after cruciate ligament surgery
The cruciate ligament is one of the four ligaments in the knee, which is one of the largest joints in the body and bears the pressure placed on it by the body, thus enabling the person to move more freely and perform daily activities more easily.
The cruciate ligament can be ruptured or cut as a result of severe pressure on it, and the anterior cruciate ligament is often more susceptible to injury than the posterior ligament, and because the cruciate ligament is one of the tendons that give flexibility to the knee to bend and move better when injured, it causes pain in the knee and difficulty in moving it.
The cruciate ligament operation depends on the treatment of the rupture, whether partial or complete, which helps the injured person return to his work and physical performance normally, but certainly post-operative rehabilitation is of great importance in improving the person’s condition and helping him to recover faster and adapt to his current knee position.
Causes of cruciate ligament rupture
Mostly, athletes are the most susceptible to cruciate ligament rupture, but the injury can occur to ordinary people as well, and it is for several reasons, including the following:
- The presence of a strong collision occurred to the knee.
- Falling to the ground hard.
- A sudden movement of the injured person.
- Sudden knee sprain.
Often the injury occurs accompanied by a crackling sound in the knee and severe pain that can affect the person’s ability to walk. The immediate diagnosis of the condition must be made so that the initial measures are appropriate for the injury and thus the treatment is better.
When is cruciate ligament surgery necessary?
In some cases, the doctor can start a non-surgical treatment in anticipation of avoiding complications, but it takes a longer time to recover, so the medical follow-up must be continuous with the patient, and in most cases, surgical operations that treat the rupture or cut in the cruciate ligament are resorted to, and a rehabilitation program is carried out before and after it to improve the condition of the patient.
Rehabilitation tips after cruciate ligament surgery
The attending physician can explain a set of instructions and steps that were followed after the cruciate ligament surgery, which are:
- It is important to keep the leg lifted as long as possible.
- Use of knee support pillows so that they are not completely straightened.
- Using crutches from the first week of surgery so as not to put a load on the knee.
- Take painkillers that help reduce pain.
- Take care of the wound, clean it, and keep away from any contaminants.
- Sleep properly by placing pillows below the knee.
- Do the necessary exercises, but this is after a period of surgery.
Recovery time from cruciate ligament surgery
Cruciate ligament surgery is one of the important surgeries that are performed on the largest joints of the body, so recovery after surgery can take some time, and the patient must adhere to the doctor’s instructions during the recovery period, which is a step on the road to full recovery.
Walking can be done after cruciate ligament surgery after about two weeks with the help of crutches, and the time available for walking can be increased within 10 to 12 weeks after surgery, and the patient can remain in the recovery period from 6 to 12 months after surgery.
Knee swelling after cruciate ligament surgery
Swelling in the knee can occur for more than one reason, including what is normal after surgery, and can be eliminated by using cold water compresses and taking anti-inflammatory drugs. The swelling can be caused by the presence of fluid in the knee, and here the pain is more severe, and the injured person must return to the doctor.
How to sleep after cruciate ligament surgery
Sleep is one of the means of comfort that gives support to the body and can improve its health condition, and it is certainly useful after cruciate ligament operations, but the sleeping position must be correct in order for the patient to have an effective effect, and the correct way to sleep is to use pillows to raise the knee slightly when sleeping on the back.
How long does the pain last after cruciate ligament surgery?
The patient begins to feel better in the knee after the cruciate ligament surgery, and the pain can last about one to two weeks after surgery, and work can be done to improve the patient’s condition by taking painkillers and doing appropriate exercises.
When is the knee bent after cruciate ligament surgery?
Knee flexion is one of the activities that can be postponed for several weeks after the operation, and knee flexion can be started in the first month after surgery, but the person must be taken into account when moving, and cold water compresses can be used that reduce swelling and give more capacity to the knee to be bent.
