Speeding Up Your Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy
Compared with traditional open knee surgery, knee arthroscopy has a very quick recovery time. Nevertheless, it does take some time to recover from any surgery. The most important thing to remember during your recovery is to listen to your orthopedic surgeon and do as he or she says.
Managing Swelling
The instructions from your orthopedic surgeon will likely include keeping your leg elevated and applying ice to help with swelling and pain. It is important to follow this advice, especially during the first few days after your surgery.
How to Manage Your Bandage
You will leave the hospital with a bandaged knee. It is important to keep that bandage on for the first day. After you take it off, it is OK to take a shower, but be sure not to spray water right on your knee. Keep your knee clean and dry until the incisions are healed. Definitely avoid soaking in the bath.
You will go to the orthopedic surgeons office a few days after your surgery for a follow-up. The orthopedic surgeon will tell you about the surgical findings and inform you about your plan of treatment for recovery.
What About Weight Bearing?
Click here for more on rehabilitation after surgery .
You may come home with instructions to use a walker, cane or crutches after your surgery; however, this is unusual with arthroscopic knee surgery. Usually, you will be able to walk without assistance. You will need to take care about bearing weight at first, but as time passes and you persist with your postoperative exercises, you will gain strength and ability. You will probably be able to drive after about a week has passed. Check with your orthopedic surgeon about this.
Following Your Exercise Plan Closely Will Help
Your exercise plan may consist of a list of exercises given to you by your orthopedic surgeon, or he or she may send you to a physical therapist. Whatever plan your orthopedic surgeon devises, be sure to follow it closely for quick, effective results.
Antibiotics and Pain Medications
It is typical to return home with a prescription for preventative antibiotics and another for pain medications. Be sure to follow instructions carefully to prevent infection and keep your pain and discomfort at a minimum.
Should I Expect Complications?
The complications that arise with arthroscopic knee surgery are rare and easily managed. You will want to watch for blood clots, blood accumulating around your knee, and infection.
Indications of Complication
Be sure to let your orthopedic surgeon know if you experience:
1) A fever that is high & persistent
2) Periods of chills
3) A feverish feeling or redness around the knee
4) Pain that persists and/or increases rather than decreasing
5) Swelling in the knee that seems exaggerated
6) Calf muscle pain that increases
Managing Swelling
The instructions from your orthopedic surgeon will likely include keeping your leg elevated and applying ice to help with swelling and pain. It is important to follow this advice, especially during the first few days after your surgery.
How to Manage Your Bandage
You will leave the hospital with a bandaged knee. It is important to keep that bandage on for the first day. After you take it off, it is OK to take a shower, but be sure not to spray water right on your knee. Keep your knee clean and dry until the incisions are healed. Definitely avoid soaking in the bath.
You will go to the orthopedic surgeons office a few days after your surgery for a follow-up. The orthopedic surgeon will tell you about the surgical findings and inform you about your plan of treatment for recovery.
What About Weight Bearing?
Click here for more on rehabilitation after surgery .
You may come home with instructions to use a walker, cane or crutches after your surgery; however, this is unusual with arthroscopic knee surgery. Usually, you will be able to walk without assistance. You will need to take care about bearing weight at first, but as time passes and you persist with your postoperative exercises, you will gain strength and ability. You will probably be able to drive after about a week has passed. Check with your orthopedic surgeon about this.
Following Your Exercise Plan Closely Will Help
Your exercise plan may consist of a list of exercises given to you by your orthopedic surgeon, or he or she may send you to a physical therapist. Whatever plan your orthopedic surgeon devises, be sure to follow it closely for quick, effective results.
Antibiotics and Pain Medications
It is typical to return home with a prescription for preventative antibiotics and another for pain medications. Be sure to follow instructions carefully to prevent infection and keep your pain and discomfort at a minimum.
Should I Expect Complications?
The complications that arise with arthroscopic knee surgery are rare and easily managed. You will want to watch for blood clots, blood accumulating around your knee, and infection.
Indications of Complication
Be sure to let your orthopedic surgeon know if you experience:
1) A fever that is high & persistent
2) Periods of chills
3) A feverish feeling or redness around the knee
4) Pain that persists and/or increases rather than decreasing
5) Swelling in the knee that seems exaggerated
6) Calf muscle pain that increases
About the Author:
Dr. Edelson is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine. His clinic, Sports Medicine Oregon, focuses on athletes of all ages. Click here to learn more about Dr. Edelson, Portland ACL Surgery and Portland Athletic Injuries.
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