What to Expect When My 14 Yr Old Daughter Has ACL Surgery This Week

We have gotten many responses to our mulitude of questions regarding this surgery. My daughter suffered a severe injury playing soccer 3 weeks ago and tore her ACL. She is very athletic and has therapy 3 times per week. I've heard different stories about pain, intensity of therapy thereafter, how many months without doing sports and how long it takes to get off of crutches. Any others personally been through this? Just want to get a better sense of how bad it can be or if any complications that we are not aware of. Thanks for your help. Our first major surgery!

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So What Happened?™

Thanks for the reality check. It was a horrible surgery and she was in so much pain. I feel so bad for her and today is her birthday. No sports, dances for a long time. This is by far the hardest thing that I've ever had to go through with my daughter. Thanks for telling me that it was going to be hard - you weren't kidding!

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L.B. answers from Chicago on March 31, 2008

My 21 yr old son had his ACL repaired at age 16. They described it as drilling through the bone to pull ligament up & through & affixed with titanium screw. Dr Bush-Joseph at Midwest Orthopedics was great! He had both his own knees done at different times in his life & specialized in this. My son had 6 months of physical therapy ~with Athletico~ which began same day of surgery. His pain was managed with Vicodin every 4 hours & an ice machine they supplied~very important! Stock up on ice to replace in the machine as needed. The machine runs ice water over the knee. The first 24 hours was the most painful. I timed it even through the night so I could give him his pain pill before the 4th hour. He used crutches about 3 weeks. No sports for at least 6 months~that was rough! He was depressed about this most of all but in the end we are happy with the results. Dr said taking into consideration my son's interest in athletics & young age he did a more invasive procedure that he would do with an adult.
Wishing your daughter a full recovery!

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J.V. answers from Chicago on April 01, 2008

My son has had this surgery three times and hasn't quit playing football or basketball. The first couple of days are the worst and about 48 to 72 hours after the surgery the pain and swelling are at its worst. Just keep telling your daughter all misery is temporary and yourself too!
Keep the ice on as directed, Watch closely for signs of infection. You will be in my prayers! With God all things are possible!

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