Speeding Up Recovery
By Sports Medicine Oregon
Knee Surgery, Knee Arthroscopy, Shoulder Surgery, Sports MedicineHow to Speed Up Your Recovery From Knee Surgery
It is a lot quicker to recover from knee arthroscopy than from old-fashioned open knee surgery. Nonetheless, it is important not to be careless about it. Be sure to follow instructions from your orthopedic surgeon to the letter while you are recovering.
What to Do About Swelling
Be sure to elevate your leg frequently during the days immediately following surgery. Follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions regarding applying ice to manage pain and swelling.
Taking Care of Your Dressing
When you come home from the hospital, you will have a bandage or dressing on your knee. The day after your surgery, you can take it off. It will be alright to take a shower, but try not to spray water directly on the incisions. Don't take a tub bath until your incisions have healed completely. It is important that the incisions stay dry and clean.
Several days after your surgery, you will go to see your orthopedic surgeon for a check on your progress. He or she will go over the surgical findings with you and get you started on your postoperative program of treatment.
What You Should Know About Bearing Weight
You should be able to walk without assistance after arthroscopic surgery. If your orthopedic surgeon recommends it, you may use a walker, cane or crutches for the time he or she specifies. As time passes, you will be able to bear more weight on your leg. Your pain will be reduced, and you will gain more strength in your knee. After about a week, you may be able to drive. Be sure to check with your orthopedic surgeon about this.
Strengthening Your Knee With Exercise
After your surgery, you should follow your exercise program diligently to be sure your knee and leg strengthen properly. Your orthopedic surgeon will probably give you a list of exercises to do. You may also be sent to a physical therapist for more intensive work.
Managing Medications
You will probably be instructed to take antibiotics after your surgery. This will prevent infection. Additionally, you will most likely have a prescription for a pain medication. This will help you to handle any discomfort you may be feeling after your surgery.
What To Do About Complications
Some things to watch out for after knee arthroscopy are accumulation of blood in your knee, blood clots, and infection. These complications do not happen often. When they do, they are usually minor and easy to treat.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
If any of these problems occur, be sure to call your orthopedic surgeon right away:
- High fever
- A feeling of chills
- Warmth or redness around the knee that does not go away
- Pain that is persistent or becomes increased
- A significant amount of swelling in your knee
- Pain in your calf muscle that continues to worsen
