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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery FAQs

Leave the dressing and ace bandage on your knee until 3 days after surgery.

  • You do not need to replace the bandages.
  • Do not apply any ointments to the incision. This includes antibiotic ointment unless directed.
  • Bandages made for blisters may help if you have irritation from the brace.

You may shower 3 days after surgery.  You will need help.

  • Get into the shower with the brace on.
  • Sit in a chair with your leg extended straight.
  • Remove the brace.
  • Then turn on the water.
  • Put the brace back on your leg before stepping out of the shower.
  • Use your cold therapy pack 3 to 4 times a day while you are awake.
    • Do this for the first 48 hours after surgery.
  • The cold packs given after surgery do not get cold enough to harm the skin so you can use them as long as needed for comfort.
  • You will be placed in a range of motion brace to help provide support. This will be done at the in the Sports Medicine Clinic after injury or at the time of surgery.
  • You will use this brace for the first 6 weeks after surgery.
  • You will transition to a functional ACL brace about 6 weeks after surgery. We will give you with a prescription for this brace from an orthotic company. You will wear this brace throughout your recovery period. 
  • You will always wear the postoperative brace except for bathing or knee exercises.
    • You will sleep in the brace until the surgeon states you may sleep without it.
    • Do not prop a pillow behind your knee.
  • You will transition to an ACL functional brace once physical therapy criteria have been met.
  • You will wear this brace for all activity until instructed by the surgeon.

We recommend crutches for comfort for the 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.

  • You may need to use your crutches for up to 6 weeks if your meniscus needs to be repaired.

 

Physical therapy should begin within the first week after surgery unless otherwise instructed.

  • Dissolvable sutures will not require them to be removed.
  • Your care team will remove non-dissolvable sutures approximately 2 weeks after surgery.

 

Do not drive for at least the first 6 weeks after surgery.

You may return to school as soon as you no longer need narcotic pain medicine.

  • This is usually 2-3 days after surgery.

We can provide an attendance note at your clinic visit.

  • We can send you a note via the patient portal f you need one and the visit has passed. Please sign up for the patient portal at your next visit if you do not currently have access.

The typical schedule of visits after surgery is:

  • 1-2 weeks (virtual visit)
  • 6 weeks
  • 3-4 months (This visit may also include strength testing and/or functional testing.)
  • 6 months (This visit may also include strength testing and/or functional testing)
  • 9 months (sports clearance visit)
  • 1 year
  • years

These times correlate with the ACL postoperative physical therapy protocol for advancement of activities.  

Return to sports is determined by time from surgery and ability to safely pass testing with physical therapy.

  • Your surgeon may recommend transition back to sport activities and practice if you meet physical therapy criteria at 6 months postoperatively. This would include working on:
    • Agility
    • Endurance
    • Sport specific activities.
  • Full clearance back to sports participation is about 9 to 12 months for ACL reconstruction.
    • ACL repair typically allows for slightly quicker return to sports, but patient still need to pass the same post operative testing protocol before being cleared to return.
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