I don't see a lot of in depth information on here about the LET procedure and want to expand on the knowledge that is already out there.
7/6/25 first ACL (auto QT) --> 1/6/26: ACLr (auto BPTB) + LET --> 16 weeks post op
In comparison to my first surgery, this one was a slower recovery, as expected. For 2nd surgery w/ LET: The pain first two weeks is horrible; recommend a nerve block for five days if covered. Was nearly off crutches at two weeks and I got full ROM by one month. No sharp pain past one month, but more throbbing soreness. At 2 months, I was exercising 2x/week but required lots of rest. Some mobility work such as Adaptive Yoga class 1x/week. Pain on LET side, the soft tissue does get inflamed when pushed in PT and creates edema. Legs up wall for max 10 mins several times a day with lymphatic massage towards core will help w that. I can push myself in exercises every other day now, continuing with mobility or a longer bike ride mixed in 2x/week. I still can't sleep on my side for too long or I wake up stiff. I still wake up with soreness in the outside of the knee. It is only a 2/10 though. I am a pacer, so I take many steps a day and have hit 10k steps already. Went to Vegas last weekend for Phish and ended up walking nearly 20k steps, but who knows how correct that was with all the fist bumping 😄 I can do single leg squats and will start progressing to jumping and running soon. I started going to a sauna/cold plunge recovery spa with compression booties (like Normatec) at 10 weeks and know that has contributed to feeling good. Highly recommend!
The LET is an extension of your IT band as another finger from the Gerdy's tubercle (on your outside tibia head) back to the femur; I like to think of it as a V for Victory from where they take the initial cut above your outside knee. The IT band acts as an anchor for many of your upper leg muscles(TFL, Glutes), but requires a smooth glide over the Vastus Lateralis (Outer Quad), so you will need to be stretching and massaging both it and the muscles connecting to it RELIGIOUSLY. In my case, my whole line from quad, patella, and patella tendon was used in surgeries, so it created quite a bit of tendonitis that has a weird floating feeling, but with strengthening I am sure it will go away.
Recommendations: Prioritize ROM and ankle hangs to straighten first two weeks: it sucks, just do it. Get off the crutches fast; e.g. full knee replacements want you walking immediately, don't let that Quad atrophy for long! Push through pain the first two weeks to get mobility and walking back; you're going to be in pain anyway so might as well make it easier on yourself for work down the road. Massage religiously. Get the Bregg Polar Wave Ice machine for $400 over the $2k game ready.
TLDR; 16 weeks post op and still sore in LET area, but does seem bomb-proof. Get through first two weeks of pain and then every small milestone makes it all worth it past then. No sharp pain past 1 month. Do push yourself to get back to ROM and mobility work to ensure road to recovery is less bumpy. Listen to your body when it says to rest. You got this!