Yes, ACL surgery is very commonly performed under general anesthesia (where you're completely asleep), but regional anesthesia (like a spinal block to numb the legs) combined with sedation is also an option, with the final choice made by the anesthesiologist and surgeon for your comfort and safety. You'll typically be unconscious and feel nothing during the arthroscopic procedure, waking up in the recovery room.

Is ACL surgery minor or major?

ACL Reconstruction Is Major Surgery.

How many hours is an ACL surgery?

How Is ACL Reconstruction Done? Most ACL reconstructions are done under general anesthesia. So you'll be asleep during the surgery and not feel anything. The surgery usually takes 2 to 2½ hours, and you won't need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Do they put a tube down your throat for ACL surgery?

With general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist gives the medication through injection or inhalation (you breathe it in). The anesthesiologist will also place a breathing tube down your throat and give you oxygen to help your breathing.

How long does it take to wake up from anesthesia ACL surgery?

In general, patients start to wake up from anesthesia within a few minutes after the procedure is completed. Full recovery takes from minutes to hours. While waking up from anesthesia, patients may experience side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and confusion. These side effects are usually temporary.

Anaesthesia | ACL Surgery

How many days of bed rest after ACL surgery?

It typically takes seven to 10 days after the procedure, until the patient is comfortable without the assistance of a crutch. An exception to this rule is if the patient also underwent a meniscal repair or other reconstruction of an additional ligament.

How painful is an ACL surgery?

Is it painful? ACL surgery can be very painful depending on the type of autograft harvested and the complexity of surgery undertaken. The postoperative pain can be reduced using local anaesthetic infiltration around the knee joint after the surgery as well as using peripheral nerve blocks.

How soon after ACL surgery can you walk?

You can start walking with crutches almost immediately after ACL surgery, putting weight on the leg as tolerated, but typically you'll walk unassisted (without a limp) for short periods within 2 to 4 weeks, progressing to normal walking by 6 to 8 weeks, though full functional recovery takes 6 to 12 months. The timeline depends on individual healing, physical therapy progress, and if other structures (like the meniscus) were also repaired.

Which anesthesia is better for ACL surgery?

Either type of anesthesia will be fine for most people. Your anesthesiologist will discuss your health issues that make one or the other type better for you. Both types are done quite often. In most patients, both types are equally safe and effective.

How did Mark Zuckerberg tear his ACL?

Mark Zuckerberg tore his ACL during a sparring session while training for a competitive mixed martial arts (MMA) fight in late 2023, sustaining the non-contact injury from an awkward movement that involved twisting his planted leg, leading to surgery and delaying his planned fight.
 

Can I drive 2 weeks after ACL surgery?

It takes around 6 to 12 months to fully recover after ACL reconstruction surgery. However, you may be able to resume driving after about 2 to 6 weeks. Take care of yourself and follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions carefully.

How long are you kept in hospital after ACL surgery?

You'll have help from nurses and physiotherapists to start walking soon after the operation so you can go home as soon as possible. Most people can leave hospital on the same day they have the operation. Before you leave, a physiotherapist will talk to you about managing daily activities and home exercise programmes.

How serious is a full ACL tear?

Impact of ACL Tears on Knee Function

The impact on the knee and its function can be long-lasting and serious. The body's ability to bear weight on the affected knee significantly decreases, resulting in prolonged periods of disability where walking or even standing can be difficult.

What is the age limit for ACL surgery?

Furthermore, there is no difference in outcomes for older patients over the age of 40 compared to those in their 50 s or even 60 s. There is still insufficient published evidence to define an upper age limit for ACL reconstruction in older athletes.

Are you fully asleep for ACL surgery?

You'll either have a general anaesthetic (you're asleep during the operation) or a local anaesthetic in your spine (you're awake but will have no feeling from the waist down). The operation normally takes between 1 and 3 hours and you can usually leave hospital on the same day.

What is the most painful ACL surgery?

An autograft reconstruction requires an extra, large incision at the donation site, so it is more painful than allograft reconstruction, which only requires one incision.

What drug do they give you after ACL surgery?

Most patients will receive a shorter-lasting medication (i.e., oxycodone or hydromorphone) that should be taken as needed and some patients may receive a small prescription for a longer-lasting medication (i.e., oxycodone/oxycontin) for steady-state relief that can be taken only if the other pain management strategy is ...

How long are you on bed rest after ACL surgery?

Days 1-7 POST-OP

The first 7 days after surgery is considered to be a “bedrest” period, where we want you to stay in bed as much as possible in order to prevent swelling and allow you to work on the rehab exercises more effectively.

When can I climb stairs after ACL surgery?

2 to 6 weeks – by this time you can begin to walk normally without pain relief or crutches. 6 to 14 weeks – your full range of motion should be restored, and you'll be able to climb up and down stairs.

What are the worst things to do after ACL surgery?

What NOT to do after ACL surgery

• Do not put too much pressure on your knee and body. ...
• Don't over ice your knee. ...
• Avoid sleeping with your knee bent. ...
• Do not overcompensate your recovering knee. ...
• Do not be afraid to tell your doctor if you are worried about something.

Are you intubated during ACL surgery?

ACL Surgery

Most of our ACL surgeries are performed using regional nerve blocks, which means you don't need to be intubated to receive general anesthesia. This approach is safer, speeds your recovery, and ensures you experience less pain.

Is ACL one of the worst injuries?

One of the most common and debilitating knee injuries for both highly paid professionals and recreational athletes alike is a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), yet the mechanics of how it occurs remain surprisingly unclear.

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