Procedure prep
Fasting Before ACL Surgery
ACL reconstruction rebuilds the torn knee ligament, usually as keyhole (arthroscopic) day surgery under general anesthesia — often with a nerve block for pain relief. A little planning for crutches and home recovery goes a long way.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) before surgery unless your team approves — they can increase bleeding.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin need a fasting-day plan. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water.
- Tell your team about any recent steroid injection into the knee.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Any skin break, rash, sore or infection on the knee or leg
- A hot, very swollen knee or new injury since your assessment
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, doses, and allergies
- Your knee MRI and any clinic letters or pre-op tests
- Loose shorts or trousers that fit over a bulky knee dressing
- Crutches if you have them, and a ride home
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have a nerve block as well as the general anesthetic?
- What graft are you using, and how will that affect recovery?
- Will I be weight-bearing straight away, and will I need a brace?
- When does physiotherapy start, and how long until I drive?
- Which of my medicines do I take or hold that morning?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get a nerve block for ACL surgery?
Often yes. Many teams add a nerve block (such as an adductor-canal or femoral block) to the general anesthetic, which numbs the knee for several hours to hours and means you need less strong painkiller afterward. Your leg may feel heavy or numb at first — that's expected and wears off.
Will I be able to walk after ACL reconstruction?
Usually you'll be up on crutches the same day. How much weight you can put through the knee, and whether you wear a brace, depends on the exact surgery and your surgeon's plan. Physiotherapy starts early and is a big part of a good result, so follow it closely.
Why avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers before surgery?
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can thin the blood a little and increase bleeding during surgery, so teams often ask you to stop them beforehand. Check what you're allowed for pain in the run-up, and what to use afterward.