"**Well, Ain't a Bad Place to Be.** That said, recovering from an injury takes time—especially when it comes to something like an ACL tear in the knee. These injuries are rarely straightforward and often require surgery. Unfortunately, there’s no magic pill that will have you walking the next day after an ACL repair. But don’t worry—there are plenty of things you can do to support your body and mind on the road to recovery.
Here are five tips that could help make your post-op journey a little smoother.
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### 1. Read the Manual
We’re not talking about your doctor here—this is about the documents you received after surgery. Those instructions are your guide to the first few days of recovery. They’ll tell you how to care for your incisions, manage pain, and when to start moving. Following these guidelines can make a huge difference in your healing process.
### 2. Move It!
Staying still after surgery might seem tempting, but it’s actually not a good idea. Gentle movement helps improve blood flow and reduces the risk of dangerous blood clots. In the first two weeks, the focus is on reducing swelling, but by then, you should be able to fully extend your knee. Your doctor may also recommend a brace or physical therapy to strengthen the area.
### 3. Prepare to Prevent
One torn ACL is bad enough—but another one is even worse. Athletes know this all too well. If you’ve had an ACL injury before, your risk of re-injury increases. To reduce that risk, consider doing strength and balance exercises (with your doctor’s approval) and making your home safer to avoid falls.
### 4. Stay Positive
Your mindset matters. Studies show that people who stay positive before and after surgery tend to heal faster and feel less pain. A positive attitude can boost your motivation and make the whole process more manageable.
### 5. Try Cold Therapy
Cryotherapy—using cold on the surgical site—is a common recommendation. Applying ice or using compression wraps can help control pain and swelling. Some systems, like GAME READY, combine cold and compression for better results than traditional methods like RICE.
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If you're on your way to an ACL recovery, give yourself credit. You're doing something tough, and every step counts. With the right approach, you'll get back on your feet—and maybe even stronger than before.
**Sources:**
1. Ma, C. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury - aftercare. Medlineplus.gov, National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000681.htm. Published 2019.
2. After ACL surgery. USCF Health. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/after-acl-surgery
3. ACL Rehab: Rehab Timeline Expectations. Emory Healthcare. https://www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/acl-program/recovery/rehab-timeline.
4. ACL Tear. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16576-acl-tear. Last reviewed August 2023.
5. Macmillan C. 3 Things Most People Don’t Know About ACL Surgery. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/acl-surgery. October 2021.
6. Rosenberger P, Jokl P & Ickovics J. Psychosocial Factors and Surgical Outcomes: An Evidence-Based Literature Review. J Amer Acad Ortho Surg 2007;14(6):397-405.
7. Rosenberger P, Kerns R, Jokl P & Ickovics J. Mood and Attitude Predict Pain Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Knee Surgery. Ann Behavioral Med 2009;37(1);70-76.
8. Murgier J, Cailliez J, Wargny M et al. Cryotherapy with Dynamic Intermittent Compression Improves Recovery from Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty 2017;32(9):2788-91."Magnetic Crane,Mobile Overhead Crane,Overhead Crane Magnet,Magnet Crane Machine
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