Arthroscopic knee surgery

GOING HOME AFTER THE OPERATION
Your operation is performed by arthroscopic surgical methods. The interior of your joint is visualised with a small telescope. The diagnosis is established and the appropriate surgery is performed with special micro-instruments. Patients are usually able to go home a few hours after the arthroscopy. Because the anaesthetic and pain medication may make you sleepy, arrange ahead of time to have someone drive you home.

Dressing - A soft dressing will be applied to your knee. This compression dressing should be comfortable and absorb any leakage of fluid and/or blood. Although the dressing may become moist or blood stained, this is not a cause for alarm. You or your physiotherapist may change the dressing 2 days after the surgery. Showering may begin 2 days after the surgery, unless otherwise directed. Once the dressing has been removed cover the small incisions with a Band-Aid type of dressing and change these after each shower.

Medications - You will usually be given panadeine tablets for pain. This is a pain medication to be taken every 3 to 4 hours as needed. Please do not take any aspirin because it may increase bleeding during the first few days following surgery. You may resume any previous medications that you were receiving before surgery. If you have any allergies, these should be discussed prior to your discharge. Do not drive or use machinery after taking Panadiene.

Diet - You may resume your diet as tolerated but should avoid greasy foods for the first 24 hours.

Bruising - Bruising may be considerable on the back and outer side of the knee and also the thigh and calf. There also may be some bulging along the outer side of the kneecap. Experience has shown that the bruising and swelling resolve without difficulty within a few weeks.

Incisions - The small surgical incisions are usually left open to allow drainage of the fluid used during surgery, but may on occasions be stitched. The small points of entry may be sore and may develop bruising during the first few days after surgery. This bruising around the wounds will eventually disappear and does not require any special care.

Physiotherapy - Unless you have a chronic joint condition or unless arthroscopy was done for diagnosis only, the arthroscopic surgery should have improved the condition of your joint. Occasionally during arthroscopy, injury or disease will be discovered that cannot be treated adequately with arthroscopy alone. In order to achieve optimal recovery, an extensive amount of work with the supervision of a physiotherapist is necessary. The final result that you achieve is greatly dependent upon the amount of rehabilitative effort you make. This will be discussed at the time of your first follow-up visit to the office. Physiotherapy should start within the first week after surgery.

Activity - Crutches are usually not necessary for walking after arthroscopy but they may be necessary for comfort. If you want crutches, please mention it to the physiotherapist. You may place weight upon your surgical leg when comfortable. Active motion and tightening of the quadriceps muscles (muscles on the front of the thigh) should start the day of surgery. A twice daily exercise session for 15 minutes which would include motion and muscle contractions should be continued for at least 3 weeks at home following the surgery. Jogging or running should be deferred until your muscles have restrengthened. If a severe arthritic condition exists within the knee, then crutches will be necessary, and additional modifications of activity will be recommended. If deep stitches were placed within the joint or the kneecap, a brace will be necessary to limit knee motion for several weeks.