K's ACL story...

by KMB
(SC)

I am a 46yo female who had ACL reconstruction surgery 1 week ago using my own hamstring. I also had meniscus damage repaired.

I tore my knee Paragliding. Fast downwind landing that I couldn't out run. Didn't hear the knee pop initially...no, I had to get up and try walking (not a good idea!)...that's when I heard the pop and my knee went a direction that still makes me nauseated to think about it! After x rays and an MRI it was determined that I had torn the ACL, partial in the MCL and meniscus damage. Oh yeah...incident happened in early October.

Saw the surgeon and scheduled surgery for Halloween day! (I was hoping for treats!!!) Started pre op PT 2 weeks before surgery.

Surgery went really well (I slept!)...woke up in recovery and really had to pee (not good when you have no feeling or control!)

Anyways, everything was fine until the blocks started waring off and then all @%## broke looose. Pain like I have never experienced before (and hopefully, never again). Should have taken the Percoset earlier. Ended up throwing up pain meds 2x and had terrible time until morning.

Finally, pain meds caught up as I was taking every 3 hrs (with nausea meds). Was able to sleep for next 36-48 hrs. Really needed it! Woke up Monday and off to the surgeon who said everything looked great!

Started PT next day and was very discouraged at how little I could do. PT the next day was a little better. PT 3 day was great! That night at home was a different story.

I am learning to take each day and each PT session as best I can. If I feel up to it, I do more. Am gaining strength each day and trying to lighten up on pain meds (saving them for PT sessions). My only strange thing is I have this welt on the back of my thigh that itches like crazy and is red and blistery. I think it is a reaction to the injection site where they did a leg block...but I am not sure. Anyone have anything like that?
I'll keep you updated on progress of recovery!