ACL reconstructive surgery and all that comes with it

Page 8: Slowing Down

ACL Recovery: Day 38

Wednesday July 23rd, 2008

My second follow up visit with the orthopedic surgeon went well. He says that I am right on track, but cautioned me to still take it easy. He drew me a graph of the ACL graft strength following ACL reconstructive surgery.

Apparently the strength of the ACL degrades for a couple months after surgery. I'm not sure if this is just for an allograft or all ACL reconstructions. Below is the graph that he drew me showing the weakening. I didn't ask him, but I assume this is due to my body adjusting to the new ligament and growing the blood vessels around it.

ACL Strength of Graft After ACL Reconstructive Surgery

The X axiz shows the months (0-6) following ACL reconstructive surgery. The Y axis shows the relative strength of the graft. The ACL is strong at the time of surgery and degrades until the 1-2 month mark. Then the strength of the ACL the rebuilds over time.

Cautions

He cautioned that at the 1-2 month mark is when patients start feeling better and begin to increase activity. He warned me to still take it easy and continue with the phyisical therapy that I have been doing. Lots of bicycling, no jogging. He said that I may be able to start some light jogging after the 2 month mark.