Knee Arthroscopy Home Instructions

You’ve been scheduled for a knee arthroscopy. The following instructions will help you during your recovery process.

What to expect:

Some pain or discomfort is to be expected. This will be different for each patient and will depend on what procedures were done during your arthroscopy. Pain medicine will be provided which will lessen your discomfort. Take this medicine with food to prevent nausea and stomach upset.
You may also notice some swelling of your knee after the surgery. This is to be expected; however, extreme swelling is unusual and should be reported to our office.
Occasionally patients have some drainage from the incisions after surgery for a day or two. A clean dry dressing should be kept on areas as long as drainage is present.

What you should do at home after your arthroscopy:

Use an ice pack on your knee for 15-20 minutes four or five time a day. A bag of frozen peas works great. This will lessen your pain and swelling.
Elevate your surgical leg above the level of your heart while lying or sitting to further help decrease swelling.
Pump your ankle up and down frequently to improve circulation in your legs and prevent blood clots.
Walking with crutches is advisable for a few days after your procedure; however, if your knee is comfortable, you may put as much weight on it as you want.
Remove the surgical dressings 48 hours after the arthroscopy and apply band-aids over the stitches.

What you should NOT DO:

Do not soak your knee in a bath tub, hot tub, or swimming pool for two weeks after surgery. Do not put a heating pad on your knee.
Do not be too active after your arthroscopy. This may cause increased pain and swelling and actually prolong your recovery. Gradually increase your activities over the following few weeks and if your knee starts to swell, slow down.

Contact our office at 898-0100 or 323-2600 if: