Normally, you should refrain from driving for at least 1 week after an arthroscopic knee operation, until the swelling reduces and the knee motion improves, but you should establish with your doctor when it is safe to start driving.
You should also not drive after having an arthroscopy involving your arms or legs, until you have recovered from the effects of surgery. This can take from around a week to several months. See Recovering from an arthroscopy for more information.
Dressings: Keep dressings clean and dry for 3 days after surgery. You may then remove the dressing, apply waterproof bandages, and shower. After showering, replace the waterproof bandages with dry ones. No soaking or scrubbing, no bath, no swimming, no hot tubs, etc.
You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your knee strength and movement are back to normal.
The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery with a brace. The patient is expected to walk with crutches for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Starting on day three after your surgery, you can work on gently bending your knee and doing quad strengthening exercises.
For the first 24 hours after surgery you should use crutches and try not to put any weight on your leg. After 24 hours you can progressively put more weight on your leg with the crutches. Your therapist will help you get off of the crutches when you are ready.
Normally, you should refrain from driving for at least 1 week after an arthroscopic knee operation, until the swelling reduces and the knee motion improves, but you should establish with your doctor when it is safe to start driving.
Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. They may suggest some of the exercises shown below. They may also advise you to engage in a walking program.
While recovering the first few days after your procedure, you should: Stay off of your feet: Avoid putting weight on your knee for a few days. You may need crutches or a walker to help you get around. Elevate your knee: To reduce swelling and relieve pain, rest with your leg elevated.
The best way to sleep after knee surgery is on your back. This position makes it easy to keep your leg straight while sleeping, allowing proper blood flow to the surgery site. You can also prop your leg up using pillows while sleeping on your back.
You can walk up and down stairs. Just remember to hold onto the hand rail. You do not need crutches when walking (unless your surgeon has told you to use them). If your surgeon has told you to use crutches, follow your surgeon's instructions.
Most patients are able to walk normally without a brace or crutches within an hour or so after an arthroscopy and go home within four hours of surgery.
You may shower 48 hours after your surgery and get your incisions wet. Do NOT immerse in a tub or pool for 7 – 10 days to avoid excessive scarring and risk of infection. Keep Ice Packs on at all times exchanging every hour while awake. Icing is very important to decrease swelling and pain and improve mobility.
After Operation
After surgery, one of the most popular questions patients ask the shoulder surgeon is, “When can I drive again?” In general, you should avoid driving for at least six to twelve weeks or until your doctor says you don't need to wear the sling any more.
Post-surgery recovery usually lasts from 7 to 10 days, during which time you should be very sedentary and allow your knee to heal. Your doctor will recommend an appropriate time for you to go back to work and other recommendations to ease the transition.
You have just had an arthroscopic surgery. It is most important to remember that although the external incisions are small, the interior structures take four to eight weeks to heal and quiet down. Overuse of your knee during this period can slow down your recovery.
You may use ice bags or cryotherapy device to help control pain and swelling in your knee. We recommend you ice for 30 minutes every hour or two. This is most important the first few days following surgery.
Most patients can get back to driving between 2–6 weeks after surgery. However, each person's recovery is different, so check with your surgeon before getting behind the wheel again.
Do I need a knee brace? Knee braces after simple arthroscopic knee surgery are rarely used. However, if your surgery involves more than just removal of torn cartilage or meniscus - for example, if you have a meniscal repair - your knee may be placed in a brace after surgery.
Wound Care: Leave the big surgical bandage on and do not shower for 48 hours after surgery. After 48 hrs, remove bandages, and apply waterproof bandaids to the incision(s) prior to showering (available at Walgreens or CVS). To see bloody soaked fluids on bandages is normal.
Excessive pain in the knee following arthroscopic surgery is usually due to overactivity or spending too much time on your feet before the thigh muscles have been adequately strengthened. Excessive swelling can also cause pain in the knee. It is normal for the knee to be sore and swollen following arthroscopy.
Most patients will experience an important improvement in pain and function without arthroscopy. However, in <15% of participants, arthroscopic surgery resulted in a small or very small improvement in pain or function at three months after surgery—this benefit was not sustained at one year.