Speeding Up Your Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy
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Recovery from knee arthroscopy is fairly quick, especially when compared with recovery from open knee surgery. Still, it is important to follow all of your orthopedic surgeons instructions for the fastest recovery possible.
Managing Swelling
Your orthopedic surgeon is sure to instruct you to keep your leg elevated during the first few days after surgery. Additionally, you can use ice to keep pain and swelling under control.
How to Manage Your Bandage
When you come home from the hospital, you will have a bandage on your knee. Be sure to keep that on for the first 24 hours. After that you can take it off. Its alright to take showers after 24 hours has passed, but protect your knee from direct sprays of water. Dont soak in the tub until your knee has healed thoroughly.
Within a week you will have a followup appointment with your orthopedic surgeon. He or she will discuss the surgical findings with you and go over your treatment plan.
Weight Bearing – Things to Keep In Mind
Click here for more on recovering from knee injuries .
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
You will probably come home from the hospital with a list of exercises prescribed by your orthopedic surgeon. You may also have a referral to a physical therapist. Be sure to do your exercises and follow all instructions from your orthopedic surgeon and your physical therapist.
Antibiotics and Pain Medications
Prevention of infection and pain management are important components of your recovery. You will probably have a prescription for antibiotics and a prescription for pain medications. Be sure to follow the directions your orthopedic surgeon gives you to avoid infection and recover with the least amount of pain.
Should I Expect Complications?
It is unusual to have complications with arthroscopic knee surgery; however, when they do occur, they are usually not major and are easily treated. Most common complications are blood clots, infection, and blood accumulating in the knee.
Watch For These Warning Signs
Contact your orthopedic surgeon ASAP if you experience:
1) A high, persistent fever
2) Periods of chills
3) Redness around the knee or a hot feeling around the knee
4) Pain that increases and/or persists
5) Swelling in the knee that seems exaggerated
6) Calf muscle pain that increases
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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