What is the recovery time after a ACL surgery?
Patients generally stay in the recovery room following surgery. Depending on the type of anesthetic that was used, it takes about one to two hours to recover enough to be able to sit up, eat some light food, use the bathroom (with crutches), and feel ready to go home. Some surgeons prefer their patients remain in the hospital overnight. Other surgeons are happy for their patients to return home four to six hours after surgery. The nursing staff will educate patients about home medications and will give instructions about when to change the surgical dressing. The physical therapist becomes an important part of the rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery, which involves walking with crutches, contracting the thigh muscles, and attempting to lift the leg independently. By working with the physical therapist, most patients are able to walk quite easily with crutches by one week after surgery. They are also able to lift their leg without assistance from a pos
