What do you wish you knew before surgery?
Hi, I tore my ACL (and have a meniscus tear) playing soccer on 4/9. I used to be a competitive soccer player for 10+ years, had not played in 15 years and experienced this injury literally not even 2 minutes into my first (adult) recreational soccer game.
I went to ortho quickly after and got diagnosed with the tear a week later. Scheduled surgery for this coming Monday, 5/11. Post op appt is 2 days later and the following day I start PT.
Honestly I was not as anxious about the surgery until coming to this sub. But I wanna be informed.
- What do you wish you knew before surgery?
- Are there specific products or items that will help me in the early recovery phase?
- should I expect I’ll mostly be sitting (or laying?) down the first few days? Like I should have a full couch/bed set up ready for that?
- does someone else need to shower you the first couple times ? I’m not understanding how that part works
- is the full support of crutches needed entirely for the first 2 weeks?
I have the support of my partner and family in managing the first week after surgery (and driving me to PT, etc).
I’m scared of the recovery. As an adult, I’ve been much more of a roller skater than a soccer player. Roller skating brings me so much joy and was my main coping mechanism. Being told I won’t skate for 8-12 months broke me the day I was diagnosed. But now I feel like that’s far away. What I’m most worried about is the week after the surgery- the pain, getting to the bathroom.
Also this is the only major injury I’ve ever had in my life (i know I’m fortunate for that) so please go easy on me 😂 I don’t know anything about this beyond what my surgeon/doctors have said and reading some things online.
Thank you !!