3.5 Weeks Post ACL Surgery: Skin Changes & Other Concerns
Hello everyone! I’m a 38-year-old woman, standing at 5'2" and weighing 137 pounds, generally in good health. My prescribed medications include meloxicam and Adderall. I underwent ACL surgery on June 4th, which went smoothly. I need to wear a locked brace for four weeks due to a bone graft. I’m diligently following my home physical therapy routine, but there are a few uncertainties I need help with since my doctor is currently away. 1) After my post-operative appointment with a Physician Assistant, X-rays revealed an avulsion fracture at my tibial tuberosity. What could this mean for my recovery process? The PA didn’t provide much insight, admitting he hadn’t encountered this issue before. 2) While performing heel raises as part of my therapy, I noticed my skin suddenly became red and purple in patches, and I experienced significant pain in my knee – not the good kind associated with exercise, but a sharp, nerve-like pain. The only other instance I’ve noticed this skin reaction was during leg lifts when a restrictive cuff was applied at PT. Should I be worried about this? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. With my doctor away until mid-July, both my PT and the PA seemed baffled by the fracture and noted it was unfamiliar to them, which doesn’t exactly ease my concerns.
Answers (1)
6/28/2025, 10:10:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that you're feeling concerned about your recovery, especially with the recent findings after your ACL surgery. Let’s break down your questions and provide some clarity and guidance.
Main Points:
- Avulsion Fracture at Tibial Tuberosity: This can affect your recovery but is usually manageable with the right care.
- Skin Changes and Pain During Exercise: The sudden skin changes and sharp pain you experienced are concerning and should be monitored.
Explanation:
-
Avulsion Fracture:
- An avulsion fracture occurs when a fragment of bone tears away from the main mass of bone due to the pull of a tendon or ligament. This type of fracture can sometimes happen during sports or physical activities.
- For your recovery, the importance lies in protecting the area where bone healing is occurring. While it might introduce additional caution regarding your physical therapy and activities, it doesn't necessarily mean that your overall recovery is compromised. It’s essential to follow your physical therapist’s instructions closely while you are healing.
-
Skin Changes and Pain:
- The red and purple patches on your skin, accompanied by sharp pain, may indicate a reaction to strain or excessive pressure, particularly if the color change occurs with certain exercises or braces. It could suggest possible issues with blood circulation or irritation of the nerves in the knee area.
- Differentiating between good post-exercise soreness and pain due to an adverse reaction is crucial. Pain that feels sharp and nerve-like isn’t typical for recovery and should be treated with caution.
Next Steps:
-
Immediately modify your physical activity:
- Pay attention to your body and avoid exercises that cause sharp pain or skin changes. Focus on low-impact exercises, and consider discussing which exercises are safest while you wait for further medical input.
-
Monitor and Document:
- Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, including when they occur, what activities you're doing at the time, and any changes in your skin condition. This information will be valuable for your doctor when they return.
-
Elevate and Ice:
- To help manage inflammation and potential pain around your knee, elevate your leg when resting and apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
-
Consult Available Resources:
- Since your doctor is away, consider speaking to a physical therapist or a different healthcare provider who may be available. They could offer insight regarding the avulsion fracture and provide modifications to your therapy regimen.
-
Urgent Signs:
- If you experience increased swelling, persistent pain, fever, or further skin changes, seek medical attention sooner rather than later. These could be signs of complications needing prompt evaluation.
It’s completely normal to feel anxious about your recovery, particularly with conflicting information. Prioritize your comfort and safety as you heal, and remember that following the guidelines above can help you navigate this period effectively. If you have more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!