Knee Range of Motion Exercises

Hi there! I had my ACL surgery 3 weeks ago (a meniscal repair as well) and as a result have been in a straight leg brace for 4 weeks so as to let the stitches in my meniscus heal. I have only been bending my leg up to 30 degrees to avoid them coming out as well. My question is, I still have some weird numbness around my knee area and when I asked the doctor about it, he said that there is a nerve that runs almost across the knee that is often disrupted when they make the incision for the arthroscopic surgery. Will this numbness go away in time?? It's not permanent is it??  Also, I had no choice but to not be bending my leg bc of the meniscal repair, but I'm so scared that the result will be limited mobility down the road bc I haven't been able to work on range of motion and won't be starting PT for a couple weeks. As long as when the doctor gives me the green light to start all that and I DO IT, will I eventually be able to increase mobility to 100% as long as I work at it?

Thanks for the question. For me the numbness did go away I had it for a few months. 

Getting your range of motion back can definitely be a challenge. Here are 5 great exercises that could help you once you are able to start them according to you PT...

http://www.aclsurgeryrecovery.net/23/top-5-knee-range-of-motion-exercises-to-do-during-acl-surgery-recovery/ 

ACL Range of Motion Exercises

To start off, I just want to say a big thank you for doing this website.  It has given me all the info i need and confidence with my ACL op.  I had my ACL reconstruction last Monday, so im just up to a week and i have been following your Exercises, and i have seen some good results already!  Are you going to continue uploading the exercises past week 3?  I went to see a physio 4 days after my operation, i have nearly got full extension, and i had 112 degrees flexion, does this sound ok?

Full extension already! That is very impressive. What range of motion exercises have you found the most helpful. 

Regarding the exercises past week 3, unfortunately I intended to upload them but once I returned to work after ACl surgery I didn't really have time. In the future I am looking to make a complete ACL surgery recovery at home exercise program...would you find value in something like this?

Based on your recovery rate so far I can suggest that you see a physio who doesn't do the standard bike, stretch, ultrasound, ice routine...you know the physio where you feel like a meat patty at McDonalds!

Here is a great video of George St Pierre doing some incredible exercises at the 3 month mark. 

 

ACl Reconstruction Fears

If you are afraid of having ACL surgery here is some advice on how to handle ACL reconstruction recovery fears...

 I had an ACL surgery on 2012-02-21. It's been 2 weeks today exactly! Everything has been going quite well for me up until now. The rehab seems like a very long journey though...You must have been through a lot of pain having gone through 2 ACL surgeries. You are brave!

 

 To answer your questions, my  2 biggest fear are the following:

 

1. To re-injure it again. To be honest, I don't want to go through the same thing you did. However, just like you with soccer, I have a burning desire to go back wreslting and jiu jitsu. The sad thing is I know those sporst are very dangerous for the knees. I know I will never be the same because of my injury. I am 28 years old and I never really had any major injury until I tore my ACL. Before that, I had that feeling of being invincible. Now, I might be scared to do many things from now on...

 

2. My other concern is for the screws that were put in my knee to hold my new ligament. I am afraid over time it might wear and cause me some problem...

http://www.aclsurgeryrecovery.net/08/7-acl-reconstruction-recovery-fears/