On the day of ACL reconstruction, your healthcare team will take precautionary measures to help ensure a safe and successful surgery. You will be given drugs and fluids to help you relax, as well as an antibiotic. EKG patches will be applied to monitor your heart's electrical activity. Bring a list of all your current medications, including prescriptions and supplements, on the day of ACL reconstruction.
The Day of ACL Reconstruction: An Overview
On the day of your ACL reconstruction, at your scheduled time, you will be taken to a pre-procedure room.
Make sure to have a list of your current medications, including prescriptions and any over-the-counter medication, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking.
To prepare for your procedure, your healthcare professional will first make sure that you have an intravenous line, or IV. You will be given drugs and fluids through your IV to help relax and comfort you during the procedure. You'll also be given an antibiotic prior to ACL surgery to decrease your risk of infection.
Patches will be applied to the skin of your chest, arms, or legs for an electrocardiogram, or EKG. The EKG patches record the electrical activity of your heart during the procedure.
Your doctor may be available to answer any last-minute questions that you have, and your family or friends may be able to stay with you until it is time for you to go to the operating room.