Thrombosis is a vascular/circulatory disorder in which a blood clot (a “thrombus”) develops in a blood vessel. At first, thrombosis does not have noticeable symptoms in many cases. However, it can potentially lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. You should avoid sitting or standing for extended periods of time, because this is how blood clots generally develop. You can actively prevent thrombosis by walking, lying down and engaging in sports or stretching exercises for the feet and limbs, many of which are suitable even after surgery. Doctors will often recommend injecting anticoagulants for the first couple of weeks after surgery as a preventive measure. The injections contain heparin, a natural substance that inhibits coagulation. People who work in jobs that require them to stand for long periods of time should wear compression stockings.

Good sleep is immensely important for the body’s internal repair processes, so it plays an important role in healing and recovery after a cruciate ligament tear. A good quality orthosis helps by preventing you from making undesirable movements – not just during the day, but even more so at night, when we can’t consciously control all of our movements. Your doctor may prescribe you analgesics that you can take at night before you go to bed for pain-free sleep. Often, icing the affected area will also bring pain relief.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on the surgical procedure used and on your individual case. Doctors will generally advise their patients regarding this. If you’ve had an arthroscopy, there will be only minimal superficial wounds that will also be stitched cleanly. Aseptic wounds close within around 24 hours, after which microorganisms can no longer enter. At this point, you will generally be able to take a shower or wash with clear tap water without any issues. This is beneficial not only in terms of hygiene, but also for your sense of wellbeing. Small incisions can be safely covered with a waterproof plaster. Many patients will be allowed to shower between 24 and 48 hours after surgery so long as they don’t feel dizzy and their immune system is not compromised.

Open surgery is a different matter altogether. In this case, patients will usually need to wait until the stitches have been removed or will need to cover the incision securely (with a special plaster or film) before showering. If your knee is put in a plaster cast or splint after surgery, it will need to be kept dry at all costs. For the first six weeks following cruciate ligament surgery, you should not take long baths or go swimming as a rule, because prolonged contact with water will prevent the tissue from healing properly.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to give a blanket answer to this question. It will always come down to your individual case and the progress you make in recovery. Anyone who drives a car must be in complete control of the vehicle, without being restricted by any aftereffects from the cruciate ligament rupture. Doctors and insurers will generally advise you to wait at least four to six weeks after cruciate ligament surgery before driving a vehicle. Even then, it will depend on what your knee can cope with. We therefore recommend you consult your doctor before getting back behind the wheel – and possibly also check with your insurer.

The best way to avoid it is by training the right muscles. The stronger your muscles, the better they can relieve strain on your ligaments and stabilise your joints. In the event of an accident, strong muscles can – to a certain degree – protect your cruciate ligaments from tearing. Obviously, the muscles need to be tensed at the crucial moment. Athletes should always include special running, jumping, balance and strength exercises in their warm-up routines to stabilise their muscles.

You should follow your doctor’s recommendations in each treatment phase. Once treatment has been completed successfully, you can start with slow exercise such as cycling cautiously on an indoor bicycle. After around two months, you can progress to cycling outdoors on a flat road. To protect your new ligament structure, you should avoid uphill slopes for the first three months or so. After four months, you can start running again, but cautiously. You should not engage in contact sports for at least six months.