Has your doctor told you that you’ll need medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction?

Getting knee surgery can seem overwhelming, but it can give you so much afterward. Preparing for your recovery journey will help you look after your knee well.

What should you expect from medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction recovery? Read on so you can get your knee back in top shape.

The First Few Days After Surgery

In the first few days after knee surgery, rest is very important. Your knee will be swollen and stiff, but ice packs can help reduce the swelling.

Make sure to keep the knee elevated as much as possible. You’ll also likely be given crutches to keep weight off your leg.

Protecting the Knee

It’s important to protect the knee after MPFL surgery. You’ll wear a knee brace for several weeks. This brace keeps your knee in a stable position while it heals.

Don’t remove the brace unless your doctor tells you to. You should also avoid putting weight on your leg until your doctor says it’s safe.

During the early stage of knee surgery recovery, it is normal to feel weak and unsteady. Be patient and take it easy because pushing yourself too hard can cause more knee damage.

Starting Post-Operative Exercises

Once your doctor allows, you will begin post-operative exercises. They’ll strengthen your knee without putting too much stress on it. The goal is to help with patellofemoral pain relief and strength.

Some common exercises include:

  • Ankle pumps: Move your foot up and down to improve circulation
  • Straight leg raises: Lift your leg while keeping your knee straight to strengthen the muscles around the knee
  • Heel slides: Slide your heel toward your buttocks while keeping your foot on the ground to help improve knee flexibility

The Role of Physical Therapy for Knee Recovery

Physical therapy is a crucial part of ligament rehabilitation. Those exercises will help you improve knee strength, balance, and range of motion.

Therapists also focus on knee pain relief techniques. This can include:

  • Massage
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Electrical stimulation

Physical therapy will start slowly and gradually progress. Over time, you’ll be able to do more challenging exercises. Your therapist will also teach you how to move safely to avoid re-injury.

Long-Term Recovery and Ligament Rehabilitation

Full recovery from MPFL reconstruction can take several months. Ligament rehabilitation is a step-by-step process. As your knee heals, your doctor and physical therapist will adjust your treatment plan.

You’ll slowly return to normal activities. However, you may need to avoid high-impact sports for a while. Running, jumping, and other strenuous activities can stress the knee too soon.

Follow your doctor’s advice on when it’s safe to return to sports or heavy exercise.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Recovery Is Possible

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction recovery can be daunting, but it’s worth the effort. Using these knee surgery recovery insights will help you get back on your feet as soon as possible.

Are you having knee issues in Boise? Contact Flint Foot and Ankle Institute if you’d like to book an appointment. Through surgery or therapeutic treatments, Dr. Flint can provide a range of services to help you thrive.

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