I tore my ACL In January. Still swollen

I tore my ACL at basketball practice on January 5, 2009. I had surgery around January 21st, 2009. right now it is the beginning of June. So, about five months ago I tore my ACL and then had the patellar tendon surgery. I went to physical therapy for a while and now I am 'on my own'. well I am wondering if it is normal for it to : 1) still be somewhat swollen, 2) kinda of "shift" when I extend my leg straight. is that normal?

I have not been working on getting my leg muscles back to normal like I should be. . So maybe thats all I need to do is work it out and exercise. ? or is it more than that? is it too late for my knee to be completely normal again? I have started jogging, but it still doesnt feel normal. I know doing exercises will help it, but will it ever be completely normal again? -(where I can run and play basketball like I have in the past.?) I know some of it will be mentally telling myself it is normal again, and once it gets ''normal'' I will start to tell myself that. However, currently you can tell its still somewhat swollen and not as strong and flexible(which will take work from me, but even if I do work it.. will it ever be COMPLETELY normal?)

thanks a lot for reading.

[Dr Vinod]

When your ACL was perfect/ and now while after the surgery there would be a difference. But with Physical therapy you decrease your pain, inflammation slowly and regain the lost strength and the stiffness will decrease. As you are able to jog and do amazing things i am sure with more of exercise you will gain maximum strength. Do not attempt sports for now and follow a strict routine without fail for gaining your strength slowly. Take care!