WTF? Help with post op shin pain...

[LegoSkier]

Hey all, so the acl surgery last monday went well. Mostly due to the drip, I had very little pain last week. They took it out on friday, Saturday was fine, then Sunday I developed this bruising on my shin below the surgery site. Its fine whenever I have my leg propped up but when I go from that to standing it absolutely fucking kills me for about 30 sec. (think worst shin splints imaginable) then gets a little better as I start to walk/cain/crutch around. I realize its just fluid following gravity when I stand but it sucks. Anybody have this and anything I can do about it (besides RICE). I start PT this week so maybe they can do something. I never thought shin pain would be by far the worst thing about this (its not too bad otherwise).

[altagirl]

Hey all, so the acl surgery last monday went well. Mostly due to the drip, I had very little pain last week. They took it out on friday, Saturday was fine, then Sunday I developed this bruising on my shin below the surgery site. Its fine whenever I have my leg propped up but when I go from that to standing it absolutely fucking kills me for about 30 sec. (think worst shin splints imaginable) then gets a little better as I start to walk/cain/crutch around. I realize its just fluid following gravity when I stand but it sucks. Anybody have this and anything I can do about it (besides RICE). I start PT this week so maybe they can do something. I never thought shin pain would be by far the worst thing about this (its not too bad otherwise).

Yeah - that sucks. That'll last for a while and there's no way around it that I've found - short of not standing up, I guess. Calf pumps every 15 min or so help in keeping the blood flowing help a little, but you're still going to get some throbbing when you first stand up for a couple of weeks probably. It gradually gets better and then suddenly you realize it stopped. If nothing else it's good for reminding you to stay the hell off of your leg and keep it elevated.

Heal up fast!

[Mtn Man]

Nope, I got it too and the throbbing pain of standing up went away after a while. Hit your other foot with a hammer, then the throbbing won't be so bad

Glad to hear the surgery went well, now the long journey back to a totally functional and normal leg begins....

B)

[truth]

Heh...they drilled holes though yer bones dude, the shit hurts.

[altagirl]

Hit your other foot with a hammer, then the throbbing won't be so bad

There's an idea. A compression/surgical stocking can help a tiny bit but you've got to keep an eye on your circulation. It's gonna suck regardless.

[up an down]

yeah it's going to hurt when you move, at least for another week or so, but if you can tough it out with no or very little painkiller, i honestly think you will feel better faster. at least that was my experience. good luck!!

[truth]

but if you can tough it out with no or very little painkiller, i honestly think you will feel better faster. at least that was my experience. good luck!!

Did you try it both ways?

[up an down]

i used the recommended dose of vicodin, and i hated the side effects so i stopped taking any painkiller 2 days post op. read my thread ( another acl/patellar tendon graft story) for more details

[Vinman]

the compression stocking and or ace wrap for compression is the best way to help this. Other than that it should only last for a little while longer. Some of the achiness is very likely due to the drilling of the tunnels and as the bone heals the soreness will decrease.

Hang in there

[Big E]

Oh hell, that pain is far worse than anything else related to getting your ACL done. I had mostly forgotten about it until you just reminded me. Seems to me it went away within 2 weeks of surgery, though.

Hang in there!