ACL repair (cruciate ligament knee surgery) - how long is the stay in hospital?

[TexMex]

I've known I've needed it doing for ages, but put it off as I have young DC's so would have to arrange care for them (DP works full time - could get some time off but not sure how much)

Anyone with any experience please? And is it as awful as I think it'll be?

I was in 3 days - that was the easy part. Surprised how incapacitated I was - i.e. going to the loo,unable to cook, shower easily etc. I had to get a nanny to look after DC 5&6 for 2 /3 weeks as I lived on morphine and tried to concentrate on rehab.
Op a great success and haven't looked back but you need to make a plan if like me you don't just bounce back. My surgeon wasn't fussed re physio but it was imperative - I went most days for about 3 months ( often just to use equipment but in the early weeks I saw my physio every couple of days and it made such a difference. Good luck and get some domestic assistance!

I was only in one night. Yyy to physio, it is vital. I went back to work after three weeks.

Does it cause you day to day problems? I only ask because mine didn't, the op was not successful and overall I wish I hadn't bothered. I did play sorry again though so worth it from that pov.

Thanks so much for your replies, I really value hearing about people's experiences.

I found out I needed it doing when I was pregnant 4 years ago but due to pregnancy, BF and then another child haven't got round to it, as I can manage the pain and instability quite well really. I do have chronic back pain and the physio thinks my knee is having an impact on that as I'm compensating when walking etc. It has stopped me going to the gym but doubt if find time for that anyway now!

I am worried about having the op and being worse off than now. I am so cross as it was a sport injury and my knee was locked, so I had to have acute surgery where they sorted out the cartlidge but "missed" the fact my acl needed doing. So I was left for 2 years being referred to physio, discharged, re-referred etc until eventually I persuaded GP to refer me back to orthopaedic surgeon. And by that time I discovered I was pregnant! What a mess!

I've had acl repair twice and meniscus trimming another separate time. My best piece of advice would be to manage your pain relief. For the first few days (a week maybe) you'll have good hospital pain relief. It is ESSENTIAL that you then move on to paracetamol and ibuprofen after that. Both times I finished the hospital meds with ever improving mobility and a feeling I was really on the mend and out of the pain zone. Then, a couple of days later I felt in a lot of pain and lost masses of mobility (from a 90 degree bend + to 5 degrees). It was very depressing and set me back. It really won't be that bad as long as you heed this!

Things have come a long way in 20 years, my acl repair at 40 was a lot better than one at 20 in terms of length of stay in hospital (1 night vs 1 week), recovery from anaesthetic, size of scar, standard of physio care (this is also essential). Good luck.

One other thought, if you are not massively unstable is it worth looking at the training route - working hard to improve hamstring and quad strength? Each case is obviously individual (especially if you are getting referred problems) but acl repairs do not always work (mine didn't and even this one is very 'lax', meaning I have to train anyway).

Thanks Docket, have tried that but it's not really made much difference. It's more the pain, but I guess I could be left with that if I don't have it done. Physio seemed to think it was really bad leaving it and not getting it done, but I think surely the worst is needing a knee replacement in the future which I've been told is likely regardless! WWYD?!

Hmmm, it's a difficult one isn't it? I think knee replacement is likely for me but at least artificial knees aren't arthritic! Why does the physio think it's bad to leave it? Because it's causing incorrect posture which causes back pain?

I guess if it's causing pain then it's best to have it. I presume the surgeon proposes it too?

Yes I think a knee replacement sounds much better than my old one (also arthritic though I'm not yet 40!) and yes, recommended by physio due to back/posture issues and physical job.

Surgeon seemed to indicate it was bad to wait "too long" when I said it would need to organise childcare etc but I wish I had asked in more detail what would happen if I just left it. I may ring and see if I can get the answer to that, though think really I'm yet again talking myself out of having it done (scaredy cat!)

You'll be fine, it really isn't that bad. Honestly, my most recent one (pain relief issues aside) was fine. Yes, it's uncomfortable at first and you will have to work hard at the unbelievably tedious physio but it's one of things where a month later you look back and think how much better you are and that it really wasn't awful at all.

Well I like that vote of confidence, thanks! I think because my first op was so painful and took hours of physio and pain it has put me off, but I may be pleasantly surprised this time hey?! Thanks!

I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Good luck!

dh had his done a couple of years ago - in for 2 nights, but then 2 weeks just lying on the sofa and after that back to work, but not 100%. He was very diligent with his physio and back skiing 5 months after.

I tore mine about 25 years ago - and just had 'stump trimming', as it had pinged and jammed in the joint so i couldn't straighten my leg. At the time I was working in a hospital and none of the doctors I knew recommend surgery so I've just lived with it - did lots of physio. I also did lots of Alexander technique afterwards which really helped with posture - I had been favouring the good leg and started getting twisted. It made a big difference - little changes to every day movement. If you have been like this for 4 years even after surgery your posture will still be bad as it will be a habit, so might be worth try some Alexander technique now, if it doesn't solve your back problems, have the op and then carry on with it until you stand properly again.

I had ACL repair 9 months ago after a skiing accident.

Surgery is the easy bit. If you have morning surgery then you'll be discharged that night; if you have PM surgery you'll likely stay in overnight.

I had 3 weeks off work. It took 5 days for the effects of anaesthetics to wear off fully and I couldn't sit comfortably for the remainder of the time off. You'll be on crutches for a bit - anywhere from 5 days to a couple of weeks. I remember being out for dinner about 5 weeks post-surgery on a Friday and having to catch a cab home instead of Tube as I was still in significant pain and exhausted. There are 3 different ways to do an ACL repair - I had a patellar graft which is a longer recovery but potentially longer lasting.

The rehab is LONG. I think I had about 30 sessions (private physio) in 2013. You need to be very disciplined about doing the exercises. Mine's still not perfect and I'm in the gym 5 days a week ATM as the goal of them feeling "equal" is not too far away. I still can't kneel on hard surfaces and I've very recently realised I can now crouch down comfortably - for quite a while I had to kind of sit down on the floor to get stuff out of low kitchen cupboards!

Would definitely do it again; PITA but you need to be willing to undergo a lot of work to get full benefit from the surgery. My knee was too unstable to ski and run, so it was a priority for me.

I work in a specialist orthopaedic hospital, 90% of ours are done as daycase surgery. This has been the norm for the lady year or so.
Good luck!

'lady' should have been 'last', of course!