Why is my foot bruised after ACL surgery?

Bruising. Because bleeding from the surgical site cannot escape, it typically travels under the skin to the most “dependent” part of the extremity. An evolving bruising of the foot and/or toes, which can increase over the first few weeks, is normal, and will ultimately resolve.

Is it normal for foot to bruise after knee surgery?

Bleeding normally occurs after a knee replacement and this blood will track along the tissue planes of your leg resulting in bruising of the thigh, calf and foot/ankle. This is normal after a knee replacement and you should not be alarmed by it.

What are the symptoms of graft failure after an ACL surgery?

The signs of ACL graft failure can include swelling, pain within the knee, locking within the knee, a mechanical block (which can be due to a bucket-handle tear of the meniscus), lack of full motion, and difficulty with twisting, turning, and pivoting.

How long does it take for bruising to go away after ACL surgery?

Bruising around your knee may last 1 to 2 weeks following surgery. Bruising is a purplish discoloration that indicates blood gathering under the skin. In the hospital, your healthcare team may give you a blood thinner to prevent deep vein thrombosis, which may add to the bruising.

Can you walk too much after ACL surgery?

The total recovery time for ACL surgery is 6 to 12 months before you can get back to life as normal. At a minimum, you shouldn’t try to do any excessive walking or heavy lifting for 10 to 12 weeks, and you should take it extremely slow when you do.

Can an ACL graft be too tight?

Graft tensioning is an important consideration during ACL reconstruction. If done improperly (either too tight or too loose), it can lead to primary reconstruction failure. The ideal amount of tension applied and the flexion angle of the knee remains debatable and depends upon the type of ACL graft tissue used.

How long should you elevate your leg after ACL surgery?

Prop your leg on cushions or pillows so your knee is at least 12 inches above your heart for the first three to five days after surgery. Keep your leg elevated if your knee swells or throbs when you are up and about on crutches.

Why is ACL weak 6 weeks?

The graft complex is actually at its weakest at around the 6 week post operative mark. Kinematic research has shown that open chain exercises cause significantly more anterior tibial displacement and hence more strain on the graft than closed chain exercises.

How do you know if you have a blood clot after ACL surgery?

The leg could be swollen or feel warm to the touch. One could have discoloration of the skin or redness present. The veins just under the skin could be more prominent or stick out. The first indication of a blood clot following surgery could symptoms of sudden chest pain or pain with breathing.

Is walking good for ACL recovery?

It’s important to start walking within a day or two after ACL surgery, but only a little. Walking for a minute or two can help reduce swelling, but you shouldn’t walk any more than that. After two weeks, you can start walking around unassisted without crutches for short periods of time.

What can I expect after ACL surgery?

Some people suffer from symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and headaches after ACL surgery but these usually settle quickly People usually recover really well after ACL surgery, but many report a few problems in the early stages. These are completely normal and usually nothing to worry about. Common problems after ACL surgery include:

How is an ACL reconstruction done?

Most ACL reconstructions are done by using a graft or ‘donor’ tendon from your body. A new ACL will then grow along the graft. Most commonly, two of the hamstring tendons from the back of the thigh are used as a graft. The hamstring tendons are harvested or removed from a small cut around the knee.

What are the most common injuries after ACL surgery?

4) Knee Stiffness or Weakness. Stiffness is a common problem after ACL surgery, particularly extension (straightening the leg) but the chances of developing this are greatly reduced by starting exercises as soon as possible and strictly complying with the post-op rehab programme.

What happens when you tear your ACL?

The ACL can be torn in different ways, most commonly during a sudden change in direction or awkward landing that puts the ACL under too much stress. Many patients hurt other parts of their knee, like the cartilage or meniscus (cartilage cushion) when they tear their ACL.