How to care after knee ligament reconstruction surgery?

The human skeleton is quite complex. Bones from various parts of the body are combined to form the most important support for people. Bones are connected by joints, and the outside of the joints are wrapped with ligaments, which are very strong connecting tissues responsible for coordinating various bone movements. For example, the ligament connection of the knee joint enhances the mobility and support of the knee joint. When the knee ligament is broken due to external force, it needs to be repaired in order to restore the person's walking ability. Let's take a look at how to care after knee ligament reconstruction surgery?

Week 1 :

1. Resting state: Keep the knee joint fully extended and the brace at 0 degrees.

2. Walking: You can use crutches to walk. The walking time is determined by the swelling and tolerance. The affected limb does not bear weight and the brace must be adjusted to 0 degrees.

3. Flexion range of motion: Start practicing from the third day after surgery, and gradually increase to 90°. This must be done under the protection of a brace, and the brace adjustment cannot exceed 90°. 3-5 times a day, 10-20 minutes each time. You can choose one of the following two training methods:

a. Supine knee flexion exercise - straighten the knee joint to 0 degrees, then gradually flex it. When flexing the knee, the heel does not leave the bed surface and moves on the bed surface.

b. Sitting flexion exercise - sit on the edge of the bed or on a high stool, let the affected limb hang naturally, and use the healthy lower limb to assist in protecting and controlling the affected limb.

4. Straightening exercise: Hold the brace at 0 degrees, lay it flat on the bed, and raise the heel with a pillow to keep the knee joint suspended in the air. 3-5 times a day, 10-20 minutes each time.

5. Active flexion and extension exercise of the ankle joint (ankle pump): Use force on the ankle joint at a slow and uniform speed, and perform plantar flexion and dorsiflexion activities in the full range. This can promote blood circulation, eliminate swelling, and prevent thrombosis in the lower limbs. Do this exercise once every 3 hours, one set at a time, 30 reps per set.

6. To contract the quadriceps, straighten the knee joint, press the bed surface with the popliteal fossa and hold for 5 seconds, then relax and repeat after a short rest. Do this 4 times a day, each time for 10 to 20 minutes.

7. Straight leg raising exercise: keep the knee joint straight after extending it, lift it off the bed 10/15 cm, hold for 5 seconds and then slowly lower it, rest for a while and then repeat; or hold it until you can't hold it any longer, do 3 sets a day, each set lasting 10 to 20 minutes.

Week 2 :

The training program is generally the same as the first week. The pain and swelling in this stage are significantly reduced compared to the first week. If it can be tolerated, the intensity of muscle strength training is increased and the time spent on the ground is appropriately increased. Mild weight-bearing is allowed, and the following principles must be followed: weight-bearing without flexion (0 degrees of brace); flexion without weight-bearing (referring to range of motion training on the bed).