Tips to Stay Healthy While Recovering from ACL Reconstruction
No matter how you injured your ACL or how long it’s been since your surgery, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself healthy every single day. Along with following your surgeon’s advice, here are some tips.
Exercise, but monitor your progress.
When your body is recovering from a major injury, exercise is one thing you can do to put yourself back on track. However, you can’t jump right into the same routine you held before. Take things slowly, and consider starting with flexibility exercises. You can utilize a smartwatch to keep up with your movements. The latest models can monitor your heart and oxygen levels with a built-in electrocardiogram and sensors.
Stretch and be mindful.
Yoga and mindfulness are often one and the same. Together, the two actions can help you enhance your flexibility while getting to know your body even better. There are certain poses that may even prevent future knee problems and you can utilize resources online to help you find out more about yoga and other healthy living practices.
Sleep well.
Sleep disturbances are an unfortunate reality after ACL surgery. However, it pays to remember that the time you’re asleep is when your body heals from issues. Sleeping gives your inner workings an opportunity to repair damages and can help your mind recover from the stress of surgery. Plan to use a pillow to keep your injured knee elevated. Sleeping on your side may be best, and you may need to take an anti-inflammatory or pain killing medication (under the supervision of your healthcare provider, of course) to get comfortable.
Eat healing foods.
Paying close attention to nutrition is good advice all the time. But it is especially prudent to watch what’s on your plate when you are recovering from any major injury. La Jolla, California’s Del Mar Surgical recommends eating things like kale and fish along with staying properly hydrated.
Go swimming.
Once your external injuries have healed, start looking for a swimming pool. While swimming is an excellent exercise, the buoyancy of the water can help you perform normal movements, such as walking, while reducing the risk of reinjury.
Don’t overdo it.
Perhaps more important than any of the advice above is to watch what you do in the days, weeks, and months after surgery. A torn ACL is a significant injury. Because it involves moving parts, you must be extraordinarily careful not to jump back into normal activities too soon. Even something as simple as walking up a slight grade in your driveway to check your mail can prolong the healing process. As you recover and make lifestyle changes, keep your goals achievable and create a consistent routine to ensure you keep progressing.
Full recovery can take up to a year. In the meantime, you can take steps now to keep yourself safe, healthy, and re-injury free until given the all-clear from your surgeon. Simple things, such as eating well and being mindful of your movements, will go a long way toward bolstering your recovery.
-Written by Jackie Waters