ACL Pre-Op Prep Questions


They say the best patients are well-informed patients. Here is a list of questions to ask your surgeon before you have your ACL reconstruction. If you have any other questions to add, feel free to send me an e-mail. With regards to Gary Doty for compiling this list from the many suggestions on Bob's ACL WWWBoard.

Surgery-Related Questions

  • What are the specific steps of the operation?

  • What is the your preferred graft material?

  • If it is a hamstring graft which, is it a semitendinosis or semitendinosis and gracilis?
    How many strands of hamstring tendon will be woven together to make the graft?

  • How many of this type of procedure have you done?

  • How often do you do these procedures?

  • What are the potential complications of using the Hamstring graft?

  • What are the potential complications of using the bone patella bone graft?

  • What are the potential complications of using an allograft?

  • How are the mounting points secured, staples, screws, bio-absorbable screws?

  • Do you use a tourniquet?

  • What is the tourniquet used for?

  • What are the potential complications from the tourniquet?

  • What is your preferred method of sedation, General? Epidural?

  • Have you determined whether the growth plates are closed?

  • What are the potential complications if the growth plates are not closed?



Recovery-Related Questions

  • Will I spend a night in the Hospital?

  • What type of pain meds will I be given?

  • Can you give me the prescription for my meds before the surgery?

  • When does PT start?

  • What willl my structure PT include?
    What is the rehab protocol?

  • How long is the structured PT going to last?

  • Will I be supplied a cryocuff (or similar device) or will I be using icepacks?
    If so how long will I use it?

  • Will I be supplied a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine?
    If so how long will I use it?

  • How long will I be on crutches?

  • What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

  • What post op steps are taken to minimize the risk of infection?

  • Will I be given antibiotics to take when I go home?

  • What are the signs and symptoms of blood clots?

  • What post op steps are taken to minimize the risk of blood clots?

  • What is the risk of blood clots?

  • How bad can I expect the bruising to be?

  • How long will the bruises last?

  • What can I do to minimize the bruising after I go home?

  • What other possible post-operative complications should I be aware of?

  • How long before I can drive?

  • Can I get a disability parking permit?

  • When can I reasonably expect to return to work?

The ACL Post-Op Prep List