Dr. Johnson shares what women should expect after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.
Dr. Johnson:
Immediately following surgery, I think the majority of people, you know, we are talking of these, a lot of female young athletes. This is really the first time that they had really an event in their life, if you think about it. So you are talking high school, collegiate, say under-30 age women, and they have never really had surgery. They have never really had an event.
So that first week is a big challenge for them, and what do I mean by that? Well, all of a sudden they wake up and their knee hurts bad. They have a pair of crutches. They can’t put their foot down.
And remember now, these are young people. These are young women who are used to being independent, driving themselves around, getting around where all of a sudden now we have just changed them to being dependent. Going to the bathroom is a major production and just getting around in those first couple of weeks. So that’s a big challenge for a lot of young people is the loss of the independence, and, you know, working through those first few weeks can be challenging.
About Dr. Johnson, M.D.:
Dr. Darren L. Johnson, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles and his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Dr. Johnson is currently Professor and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Kentucky. His clinical interests include arthroscopy, knee and shoulder reconstruction and the double-bundle procedure for ACL repair.
Dr. Johnson was named among the Top Doctors for Women by Women’s Health magazine in 2008.
Visit Dr. Johnson at the University of Kentucky