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What Causes Swelling Around Ankle And Kee After A ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
Question: Hello Doctor,
My wife had an ACL reconstruction surgery more than a one ago with a hamstring graft. She was instructed to walk with putting sufficient load right after surgery. She still has quite a lot of swelling around the ankle and over the knee itself. She has been instructed to use a single crutch for walking as of now and stop using it after a month.
The problem is she has jerk like or buckling feeling whenever she walks which has her worried. Can you suggest what can be cause for this? How long will it take for her to walk independently without any problem? Also when will the swelling and pain subside? She has been instructed to start physiotherapy as there is lag.
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
My wife had an ACL reconstruction surgery more than a one ago with a hamstring graft. She was instructed to walk with putting sufficient load right after surgery. She still has quite a lot of swelling around the ankle and over the knee itself. She has been instructed to use a single crutch for walking as of now and stop using it after a month.
The problem is she has jerk like or buckling feeling whenever she walks which has her worried. Can you suggest what can be cause for this? How long will it take for her to walk independently without any problem? Also when will the swelling and pain subside? She has been instructed to start physiotherapy as there is lag.
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Brief Answer:
6-8 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The jerk like or buckling feeling in the knee during walking can happen due to fibrosis during healing. The swelling in the knee and leg is a normal finding. In case there is a severe pain and feeling of warmth over the knee swelling then an infection needs to be ruled out after a direct examination by her treating orthopedician.
She can use two pillows under her leg while resting to reduce the swelling.
It will take around 6-8 weeks for complete healing and proper walking without any support.
The pain should subside with pain killers. Both swelling and pain will subside with hot fomentation and keeping the leg elevated. Proper physiotherapy will also help in reducing the swelling and in earlier recovery.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
6-8 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The jerk like or buckling feeling in the knee during walking can happen due to fibrosis during healing. The swelling in the knee and leg is a normal finding. In case there is a severe pain and feeling of warmth over the knee swelling then an infection needs to be ruled out after a direct examination by her treating orthopedician.
She can use two pillows under her leg while resting to reduce the swelling.
It will take around 6-8 weeks for complete healing and proper walking without any support.
The pain should subside with pain killers. Both swelling and pain will subside with hot fomentation and keeping the leg elevated. Proper physiotherapy will also help in reducing the swelling and in earlier recovery.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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