Steps to a Speedy Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy
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.
The Best Ways To Keep Swelling Down
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.
What About Weight Bearing?
Click here for more on rehabilitation after surgery .
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.
Using Exercise to Strengthen Your Knee
Your exercise plan may consist of a list of exercises given to you by your orthopedic surgeon, or he or she may send you to a physical therapist. Whatever plan your orthopedic surgeon devises, be sure to follow it closely for quick, effective results.
Managing Your Prescriptions
After your surgery, you will probably have two prescriptions. One will be for antibiotics to prevent infection. The other will be for pain medications to make your recovery more comfortable. Be sure to follow your orthopedic surgeons instructions closely regarding the use of these drugs.
Complications Are Rare
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.
Here Some Signs To Look Out For
Be sure to let your orthopedic surgeon know if you experience:
1) Fever
2) A feeling of chills
3) A feverish feeling or redness around the knee
4) Pain that increases and/or persists
5) Unusually prominent swelling in the knee
6) Persistent and increasing pain in the calf - 17269
The Best Ways To Keep Swelling Down
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.
What About Weight Bearing?
Click here for more on rehabilitation after surgery .
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.
Using Exercise to Strengthen Your Knee
Your exercise plan may consist of a list of exercises given to you by your orthopedic surgeon, or he or she may send you to a physical therapist. Whatever plan your orthopedic surgeon devises, be sure to follow it closely for quick, effective results.
Managing Your Prescriptions
After your surgery, you will probably have two prescriptions. One will be for antibiotics to prevent infection. The other will be for pain medications to make your recovery more comfortable. Be sure to follow your orthopedic surgeons instructions closely regarding the use of these drugs.
Complications Are Rare
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.
Here Some Signs To Look Out For
Be sure to let your orthopedic surgeon know if you experience:
1) Fever
2) A feeling of chills
3) A feverish feeling or redness around the knee
4) Pain that increases and/or persists
5) Unusually prominent swelling in the knee
6) Persistent and increasing pain in the calf - 17269
About the Author:
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, Labral Tear Repairs in Oregon and Shoulder Doctors in Tigard.
posted by X - Men at
3:05 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home