Knee Arthroscopy Discharge Instructions

Recovering from knee arthroscopy

A knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat disorders of the knee. Our expert doctors perform knee arthroscopy by placing an instrument called an arthroscope into the knee joint through two to three small 0.25-inch incisions.

Below are instructions for how to take care of yourself following knee arthroscopy. 

Effects of Anesthesia

You may feel dizzy or sleepy following surgery, as general or intravenous anesthesia agents can remain in your body for up to 24 hours. We recommend that you rest a majority of the day after surgery and avoid:

• Consuming alcohol 
• Driving 
• Making any important business decisions
• Operating heavy machinery

Pain Management

Your doctor will provide you with pain medication before or immediately after surgery. Make sure to take your medication as directed.
 
For the first two to three days after surgery, keep your leg elevated while applying ice packs around the knee to help reduce pain and swelling. It typically takes two to four weeks for the swelling in your knee to resolve. When using an ice pack, avoid direct contact with your skin by placing a washcloth around the ice pack.

Activity

Avoid athletics for at least four weeks following arthroscopic surgery. During your follow-up visit, speak with your doctor about when to return to specific sports activities, such as running or biking. After surgery, start performing the following exercises three to four times a day to avoid muscle atrophy (remember not to overdo it):

• Lie on your back, straighten your leg completely, and tighten your thigh muscles. Hold for 10 seconds, and then relax your leg.
• Lie on your back with your leg straight, and raise your leg six inches from the bed. Hold for 10 seconds, and then relax your leg.
• Slowly bend your knee back and hold it for a gentle stretch. Make sure not to force the knee to bend.

Following surgery, it’s normal to feel water in your knee, as well as hear a gurgling sound when you bend your knee. This is due to leftover irrigation solution from surgery, which your body eventually reabsorbs.

Dressing

You may take the soft bandage that’s placed on your knee immediately after surgery off two days after surgery. If steri-strips were applied to the incisions, do not remove them. Rather, let them fall off by themselves. Remaining steri-strips may be removed 10 days after surgery. 

Bathing and Swimming

You may shower two days after surgery, but do not scrub your wounds. We recommend that you don’t swim or soak in a hot tub or bathtub until it’s cleared by your doctor to avoid infections.

Walking With Crutches

You will use crutches or a cane until the strength in your leg returns. You may stop using the cane or crutches once you’re able to walk without a limp.

Driving 

If your affected knee is on your left leg, you can start driving again once you’re no longer taking narcotic pain medication. If it was your right leg, your leg should be strong enough that you no longer walk with a limp or need crutches.

When to Notify Your Doctor

You should notify your doctor if you experience:

• A fever greater than 101 degrees
• Excessive drainage from your knee
• Increased redness, warmth, or pus around your incisions 
• Severe pain or swelling in your knee and leg

 
Please call the Kaplan Joint Center at 855-KNEE-HIP if you have any questions. 
 
Newton-Wellesley Outpatient SurgeryCenter
25 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
Phone: 617-219-1520