ACL reconstruction

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How you prepare

By Mayo Clinic staff

Before your surgery, you may need several weeks of physical therapy to restore your knee's full range of motion. People who go into surgery with a stiff, swollen knee often have problems regaining full range of motion after surgery.

If you regularly take aspirin or other blood-thinning medications, your doctor may ask you to stop taking these types of drugs for at least a week before your surgery to reduce your risk of bleeding. Follow your doctor's instructions about when to stop eating the night before your surgery.

ACL reconstruction is an outpatient procedure, so you'll be able to go home later that same day. Arrange for someone to drive you home.

What you can expect Risks
References
  1. Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1678/0.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2012.
  2. Friedberg RP. Anterior cruciate ligament injury. http://www.uptodate.com/ index. Accessed Oct. 25, 2012.
  3. ACL injury: Does it require surgery? American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00297. Accessed Oct. 25, 2012.
  4. DeLee JC, et al. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..X0001-2--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Oct. 25, 2012.
  5. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction manual. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2002.
MY00941 Jan. 4, 2013

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