ACL Surgery and Teen Daughter- tips?

[campinggal]

Hi All-

I love the wealth of tips and support this board can provide so I thought I'd toss out my question.

My 15 year old daughter will be having knee surgery next Monday to replace her torn ACL. I know that post surgery PT will be key to her recovery and to do everything the Doc and PT says but for those of you who have gone through this with your teen- was there something that was particularly helpful as they went through the recovery?

Thanks so much!

 

[Hannathy]

Get a bunch of new bones and chew toys so she is happy to stay quiet, outside on leash only, put down runners on the kitchen floor so she doesn't slip and marshmallows and ice cream work best for hiding the pills.



Ooops that was my dog not DD My dog had the canine equivalent of ACL surgery this summer so I couldn't resist. sorry.

My sister did have the surgery and I think following the instructions to the T right after was the most important thing. And being somewhere with the bathroom on the same floor for the first few days.

Best of luck to her and I'm sure you will get some "people" tips soon.

 

[erin1715]

I had ACL surgery when I was the same age as your daughter and I'm 31 now. I remember the absolute key was to get it moving as soon after surgery as possible. The day I came home from the hospital I was so out of it from the pain meds that I wasn't about to move. But, the next day I think I had PT. The PT also gave me exercises to do at home on days I didn't go to PT and I was very disciplined about doing those, as well as using they Cryocuff (ice pack) afterwards.

I actually really enjoyed the process of PT...some of my PT's were cute young guys

 

[jrmasm]

Get a bunch of new bones and chew toys so she is happy to stay quiet, outside on leash only, put down runners on the kitchen floor so she doesn't slip and marshmallows and ice cream work best for hiding the pills.



Ooops that was my dog not DD My dog had the canine equivalent of ACL surgery this summer so I couldn't resist. sorry.

My sister did have the surgery and I think following the instructions to the T right after was the most important thing. And being somewhere with the bathroom on the same floor for the first few days.

Best of luck to her and I'm sure you will get some "people" tips soon.

My DD17 has her acl repaired on April 13 of this year. A few random thoughts:

Ask for two sets of ice packs so one is in the freezer when it's not in use.

I stayed close to my DD for the first 3-4 days because she couldn't get up and down from the toilet by herself.

She was off pain meds by day 2 or 3 but has some lingering digestive issues for about a week that I believe were the worst part of the entire experience.

She did not do steps for 3-4 days.

Her surgery was on Friday and she started PT Monday, 3 days a week for several months, then down to 2 days and she's still going once a week. She also had some exercises from the surgeon to do over the weekend before she was able to go to PT.

She has really like the aqua therapy part of her PT.

The bruising is amazing and lasts/changes for months.

It is a very long process. Best of luck to your DD!

 

[campinggal]

Thanks so much to everybody who has replied thus far.

The "get bones and chew toys" dog ACL story gave me a good chuckle.

The timing on the pain meds being 2-3 days and possible digestive issues is good to know about. Same with knowing how long the bruises might last- something I hadn't even thought about. Everybody is different but at least it gives me a perspective.

We'll have my daughter on the sofa bed downstairs and we have a first floor bathroom so we're set there.

Thanks again! I knew I could count on our Disboard crew for some tips!

 

[undertheradar]

Organize all remotes, ipods, laptops, handheld game systems, chargers, etc. Keep your fridge stocked with sport bottles of drinks, as the first few days are awkward as you all get used to the mobility issues. Clear all extra objects away from where you will be walking and from off bathroom floors. Leave plenty of time for driving anywhere, as loading/unloading time will be much longer.

 

[DianeV]

My daughter felt worse when taking the Vicodin the doctor prescribed. Once she started alternating with Motrin and then just Motrin she felt alot better and it helped with the pain. Vicodin just made her emotional and didnt help with the pain.

Definitely getting moving as soon as she can and starting PT helps alot. And keeping something in her stomach.

You will feel like her slave the first few days but after that she should be trying to get around herself with crutches. Our doctor had my daughter on one crutch and then off the crutches totally pretty quickly. You wont believe how fast she will start getting stronger bu tthe PT and exercises at home are very important

Our surgeon told her it takes about a year before they stop thinking about the knee and being worried...I believe it because my daughter is in soccer and she is almost 10 months out from surgery and just starting to be able to 'let go'

 

[campinggal]

Awesome, awesome, awesome! Thank you for the additional thoughts.

It is this little stuff that is good to hear- remote control/game organizing, possible vicodin 'yuck' side effects, extra time when driving due to loading/unloading. Thank you!

We're fully prepared for the long slog of recovery and the full year to being back to not thinking about the knee.

The PT stuff I'm not too worried about as my daughter is very diligent with about following through with instructions. It is the first week of pain and lack of mobility that I think will really hit her the most. Once we move past the pain part, I think she'll just focus on her exercises.

Thanks again!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Teenagers surprise us every day. She will probably be most "adult" about it all, deal with the pain, then go to PT & work hard to get it right.

THEN - AFTER she has done it all correctly - only THEN can she have her chewy toys!

If she doesn't have a DS - this would be a great time to get her one. It keeps you extremely occupied, and keeps you in one spot. My adult kids got one for me when I was down. I fell in love with it so much, I still play it! Certain games just get you, and hours go by!

 

[monsterkitty]

I had ankle and foot surgery two years ago, and while it is not the ACL, this is what I learned:

-Is she having a "block" put in her leg (like an epidural) so that she can not feel the leg for 24 hours post surgery? If so, be prepared for this to make her ill.

-Take Gatorade or water for her to drink on the way home.

-keep crackers next to where she will be camping out as the block or pain pills may make her nauseous.

-if she will be on crutches get her a water bottle that she can carry with her. I had the typical CamelBack waterbottle that I kept with me at all times. I carried it with my fingers while holding onto the crutches.

-get as many pillows as you can an put them under her leg until she feels comfortable. I had to sleep propped up as well so I need pillows for that. Couch cusions work very well.

-going to the bathroom with a full leg brace is difficult. I was so glad I spent many hours doing one-legged squats in workouts because if I hadn't done these, simple things like sitting on the potty or chair would have been difficult. There were times I wished we had hand rails in the bathroom.

- GET A SHOWER CHAIR!

If I remember more I'll add it!

 

[jrmasm]

I had ankle and foot surgery two years ago, and while it is not the ACL, this is what I learned:

-Is she having a "block" put in her leg (like an epidural) so that she can not feel the leg for 24 hours post surgery? If so, be prepared for this to make her ill.

-Take Gatorade or water for her to drink on the way home.

-keep crackers next to where she will be camping out as the block or pain pills may make her nauseous.

-if she will be on crutches get her a water bottle that she can carry with her. I had the typical CamelBack waterbottle that I kept with me at all times. I carried it with my fingers while holding onto the crutches.

-get as many pillows as you can an put them under her leg until she feels comfortable. I had to

My DD had a nerve block (hip to toe) and she thought it was the best thing ever! Guess everyone handles them differently.

She was prescribed two types of Oxy which worked really well for her pain but messed up her digestion.

Pillows were definitely her friend!

 

[M5ward]

You might want to consider buying a Commode to place over the toilet. It has arms that she can use for leverage getting off the toilet. They usually are height-adjustable to make it more comfortable. I had pretty minor knee surgery
(arthroscopic for a torn meniscus) a few years ago, and using the bathroom and getting in and out of the car were my biggest issues.
I'm WAY older than your daughter, but restricted mobility is very frustrating. Fortunately teenagers tend to heal more quickly (if they follow their doctor's orders) than people my age.
Good luck to you all..prayers for a successful surgery and event-free recovery.

 

[Buckalew11]

I had ACL surgery when I was the same age as your daughter and I'm 31 now. I remember the absolute key was to get it moving as soon after surgery as possible. The day I came home from the hospital I was so out of it from the pain meds that I wasn't about to move. But, the next day I think I had PT. The PT also gave me exercises to do at home on days I didn't go to PT and I was very disciplined about doing those, as well as using they Cryocuff (ice pack) afterwards.

I actually really enjoyed the process of PT...some of my PT's were cute young guys

Get the Cryocuff. That would be my number one piece of advice!! DD's had 2 knee surgeries, her teen friend one and my nephew, sister and parents have all had knee surgeries. Get her a Cryocuff & have her listen & do everything the doctor and the PT tell her to do.

And...movies, movies, movies!!

Best wishes!

 

[pezheadmeg]

I had an ORIF on my ankle right out of college. Mine was an emergency surgery so I had no prep time for post surgery at all.

Go on to etsy and look for a crutch bag. They fit over the handle bar of the crutches and can hold the little things. Until I got the hang of the crutches I relied on a fanny pack. Totally uncool at that young.

I second the shower chair. In hindsight I would pay whatever extra it cost to waterproof the cast. I was way too excited to be able to stand and wash my hair normally again.

Get a cup with a lid. It took me about 3 days to figure out how hold both the handle and the crutch.

Have everything on the couch next to her. Remotes, phone, electronic toys, and readimg material. I was a week post-op during the 2003 Northeast Blackout. My mother still gets grief about calling every 20 minutes from work to see if the power was back on. Getting up and down on crutches can really tire the walking wounded out.

 

[campinggal]

Get the Cryocuff. That would be my number one piece of advice!! DD's had 2 knee surgeries, her teen friend one and my nephew, sister and parents have all had knee surgeries. Get her a Cryocuff & have her listen & do everything the doctor and the PT tell her to do.

And...movies, movies, movies!!

Best wishes!

I picked up that tip early on and we've got one ready and waiting. List of movies too!

Teenagers surprise us every day. She will probably be most "adult" about it all, deal with the pain, then go to PT & work hard to get it right.

THEN - AFTER she has done it all correctly - only THEN can she have her chewy toys!

If she doesn't have a DS - this would be a great time to get her one. It keeps you extremely occupied, and keeps you in one spot. My adult kids got one for me when I was down. I fell in love with it so much, I still play it! Certain games just get you, and hours go by!

Yes they DO surprise us!! I thought about a DS but she has her laptop and iPod and I'm sure will use this to go 'App Happy'.

I had ankle and foot surgery two years ago, and while it is not the ACL, this is what I learned:

-Is she having a "block" put in her leg (like an epidural) so that she can not feel the leg for 24 hours post surgery? If so, be prepared for this to make her ill.

-Take Gatorade or water for her to drink on the way home.

-keep crackers next to where she will be camping out as the block or pain pills may make her nauseous.

-if she will be on crutches get her a water bottle that she can carry with her. I had the typical CamelBack waterbottle that I kept with me at all times. I carried it with my fingers while holding onto the crutches.

-get as many pillows as you can an put them under her leg until she feels comfortable. I had to sleep propped up as well so I need pillows for that. Couch cusions work very well.

-going to the bathroom with a full leg brace is difficult. I was so glad I spent many hours doing one-legged squats in workouts because if I hadn't done these, simple things like sitting on the potty or chair would have been difficult. There were times I wished we had hand rails in the bathroom.

- GET A SHOWER CHAIR!

If I remember more I'll add it!

Thanks so much for the list! No block- Dr. doesn't use them unless patient can't handle a general- he wants her to be able to start exercises pretty quickly. Crackers are a good one I hadn't thought of but since a few of you have mentioned nausea from the pain med- I'm stocking up!

Good luck to you all..prayers for a successful surgery and event-free recovery.

Thank you for the prayers!

I had an ORIF on my ankle right out of college. Mine was an emergency surgery so I had no prep time for post surgery at all.

Go on to etsy and look for a crutch bag. They fit over the handle bar of the crutches and can hold the little things. Until I got the hang of the crutches I relied on a fanny pack. Totally uncool at that young.

I second the shower chair. In hindsight I would pay whatever extra it cost to waterproof the cast. I was way too excited to be able to stand and wash my hair normally again.

Get a cup with a lid. It took me about 3 days to figure out how hold both the handle and the crutch.

Have everything on the couch next to her. Remotes, phone, electronic toys, and readimg material. I was a week post-op during the 2003 Northeast Blackout. My mother still gets grief about calling every 20 minutes from work to see if the power was back on. Getting up and down on crutches can really tire the walking wounded out.

Thanks for the chuckle picturing my teen cruching around high school with a fanny pack!!! Won't do that to her- we'll set her up with a little bag for quick stuff she needs on the go.

LOVE Disboard users!!! You guys ROCK!

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Hi - my daughter had ACL surgery one week before she was beginning High School. Our doctor and PT guy were very concerned about the other kids in the school knocking her over and accidentally hurting her.

We talked to the principal and my daughter was released from her classes about 5 minutes before the end to get to her next class before the hallways filled. In addition she was allowed to use some of the staircases that were off limits to the other students. Also, sometimes if the teacher is covering something important to the end of class just wait and be late for the next class. All the teachers were so understanding.

Her doctor also wanted her leg elevated for a while so we bought a folding step stool which was kept at school. At the end of the day she would leave it in her first hour teacher's room.

Our school policy is no medicine at the school and they will not administer it so parents are to come in and sign a log every time they come in to disperse meds. Lucky for me the principal decided to break the rule for her so I didn't have to drive to the school every day.

Have her choose a friend she can rely on to help her carry her books. It's much easier to have an assigned helper instead of asking someone every day.

I think the other thing is attitude. We were pretty bummed at first - freshman year and she couldn't do volleyball or marching band. She ended up being the manager for the VB team (did stats and tracked the data on the computer) It was a wonderful way for her to learn the game better and the data work was a good life skill. It also showed her good attitude to her coach. As for band, her director changed her from marching flute to the bells/xylephone which is a stationary instrument placed in the front of the band. It was tons of fun for her to learn a new instrument. So it seemed she was exposed to more things and was limited to her "normal" activities. It gave her lots of confidence.

My daughter's advice to you is to be ready for a wacked out groggy kid. She said she really appreciated all our help because she couldn't do anything for herself. I agree, if you get some meals done in advance and frozen, or just order in. You will be as tired and emotionally drained as her.

My daughter is now starting her junior year and has had no issues with her knee since the surgery and recovery. Good luck to you and your daughter!

 

[campinggal]

Hi - my daughter had ACL surgery one week before she was beginning High School. Our doctor and PT guy were very concerned about the other kids in the school knocking her over and accidentally hurting her.

We talked to the principal and my daughter was released from her classes about 5 minutes before the end to get to her next class before the hallways filled. In addition she was allowed to use some of the staircases that were off limits to the other students. Also, sometimes if the teacher is covering something important to the end of class just wait and be late for the next class. All the teachers were so understanding.

Her doctor also wanted her leg elevated for a while so we bought a folding step stool which was kept at school. At the end of the day she would leave it in her first hour teacher's room.

Our school policy is no medicine at the school and they will not administer it so parents are to come in and sign a log every time they come in to disperse meds. Lucky for me the principal decided to break the rule for her so I didn't have to drive to the school every day.

Have her choose a friend she can rely on to help her carry her books. It's much easier to have an assigned helper instead of asking someone every day.

I think the other thing is attitude. We were pretty bummed at first - freshman year and she couldn't do volleyball or marching band. She ended up being the manager for the VB team (did stats and tracked the data on the computer) It was a wonderful way for her to learn the game better and the data work was a good life skill. It also showed her good attitude to her coach. As for band, her director changed her from marching flute to the bells/xylephone which is a stationary instrument placed in the front of the band. It was tons of fun for her to learn a new instrument. So it seemed she was exposed to more things and was limited to her "normal" activities. It gave her lots of confidence.

My daughter's advice to you is to be ready for a wacked out groggy kid. She said she really appreciated all our help because she couldn't do anything for herself. I agree, if you get some meals done in advance and frozen, or just order in. You will be as tired and emotionally drained as her.

My daughter is now starting her junior year and has had no issues with her knee since the surgery and recovery. Good luck to you and your daughter!

Thank you to you and your daughter! My daughter is entering 10th grade and is having her surgery one week before school starts too. Great advice on having her leave class a bit early. She has a pretty good schedule this fall and her free blocks are in good spots so she could even just sit in her prior class until the class change chaos finishes and then head out for her free block.

Love hearing your DD change of activities too- we've been talking that though with DD as she'll miss soccer season as well as snowboard season. It does open up a new window of opportunity.

Thank you!!!

 

[sunshine1178]

Call your insurance and confirm that everything is in network. My eh scheduled surgery with an in-network surgeon, but the surgery center was out-of-network, so very few bills were covered. Also, confirm your PT coverage. My insurance only covered 20 visits a calendar year, and it was $600 a visit oop after that.

Also, make sure she is going to use it. My stepdaughter had the surgery, then quit all of her sports. Now we're paying off $10k so that her new knee can watch reality tv shows and post nasty things about us on Twitter.