How should I care for my incision after ACL reconstruction surgery?

Intermountain Healthcare

Here's how to care for your incision after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery:

Keep your dressings clean and dry. Your doctor will let you know when you can remove your dressings and when it's okay to take a shower without worrying about getting your incisions wet. Do not soak in a tub, pool, or hot tub until your doctor says it's okay.
Wear your compression stockings (TED hose) as long as your doctor advises. Compression stockings help prevent blood clots.
Watch for bleeding. You may have a small amount of bleeding from your surgical incisions. This is normal.
Watch for signs of infection at the incision site (increased redness or swelling, pus, or fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit), and report them to your doctor.

Continue Learning about Muscle & Connective Tissue Injuries

St Francis Medical Center

Most anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are the result of a specific trauma and are associate...

Intermountain Healthcare

Rehabilitation is a series of exercises and treatments designed to help you recover from surgery and...

National Athletic Trainers' Association

An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) sprain is characterized by a pop associated with feeling the kne...

Christopher W. Hodgkins, MD

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. A rupture of the tendon means the te...

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Muscle & Connective Tissue Injuries

Muscle and connective tissue injuries include sprains and strains, which are the most common injuries for people engaged in physical sports. A sprain is an injury of a ligament, which connects our bones to each other. A strain is an injury that can occur to a muscle or a tendon, which connects our bones to our muscles. If you have a muscle or connective tissue injury, you will likely experience pain, swelling, and limited movement of that body part. Sometimes these injuries are evident as soon as they occur, while others take time to develop. Usually rest helps to heal the area, and ice can reduce swelling. If these remedies dont help you, physical therapy or surgery may be necessary for a full recovery.

Learn More