you are the visitor n° Week 1
The patient comes back from the operatory room with a brace (30°
flexed) and two drainages. The first day after surgery it is possible to
move the ankle and the foot. Isometric quadriceps excercise can be started
as soon as possible. The second day the bandage and drainages are removed
and the wound is medicated. Flexion extension movements (30°- 60°)
and standing position without weight bearing on the operated side is allowed
with crutches. On the third day the patient may be discharged from the
hospital. At home he will be able to strengthen the muscle with isometric
and isotonic exercises as is allowed from the brace.
Week 2
The patient continues performing exercises and the sutures are removed
at the end of the week. From this moment the range of motion of the brace
is increased to 20° - 100°. Weight bearing (50%) is allowed with
crutches and brace.
Week 3
The patient, with partial weight bearing continue to walk and performing
exercises as is allowed from the brace. The weight bearing gradually increases.
Week 4
The partial weight bearing increases more and more. At the end of the
week the patient will be able to walk without crutches bearing full weight.
At the end of the week the brace can be removed and usual cloths can be
dressed. Week 5
If a pool is available water exercise can start. All swimming is possible
except the breast stroke . The patient can start the final rehabilitation
with a physioterapist and practicing the same exercise learned in the gimnasium
at home. At the end of the week full range of motion should be obtained
except full flexion.
Week 8
The patient should be able to have a normal life style. Now he can start
to run. He will increase in endurance and peak the running exercise according
to his own personal athletic performances.
Week 12
The patient increases the specific and generic athletic performances.
He should not to twist the knee. Soccer, Volleyball, rugby etc. is not
permitted before 6 - 7 months after surgery .
It is important to follow the specific post-surgical programme. With
this surgical procedure is often possible to do more than the patient can
really do. The aim of every postoperative program like this it is to regain
full mobility and strong stability. The neo ligament during the first months
after surgery recovers in one month the full range of motion but it is
not strong enough to support abnormal loads. For this reason it is possible
to run or swim, avoiding strong sport activities with torsion on the knee
axis like soccer, volley, tennis, etc. A possible trauma during this period
can tear the neo ligament easier than in the future. Complete recovery
for high risk sport activity will be permitted after 8 months.
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