POST-OP KNEE ARTHROSCOPY
Incisional Care
The dressing (bandage) should be left intact for 48 hours unless otherwise instructed by your physician. It is important to keep your bandage and incisions clean and dry. After 48 hours, remove the dressing leaving the Steri-Strips or stitches in place. Check the appearance of your incision daily. Blood around the incisions is normal and can be cleaned with alcohol or a Hydrogen peroxide and water mixture. Apply band-aids or gauze to cover the wounds. Rewrap the knee with either the ACE wrap or the tube dressing that was placed on your leg at the time of your surgery.
Showering
You may shower with a bag or plastic wrap over your leg immediately. On the 3rd post-op day, as long as there is no drainage from your wounds you may go ahead and shower allowing the water to run over your knee unless otherwise instructed. Rewrap your ACE wrap after your shower. Bathing and soaking the leg should be avoided for 7-10 days following surgery.
Ice and Elevation
Apply ice for 20-30 minutes at least 2-3 times a day for the first 3 days. After that, apply the ice after exercise, after Physical Therapy, and as needed to control swelling. You should elevate the leg above the level of the heart to help control the swelling during the first 48-72 hours. When you lie down, use pillows under your lower leg, not your knee. This will help promote knee extension.
Physical Therapy Exercise, Weight Bearing, and Crutches
Do the exercises that you were instructed on as soon as possible after your surgery, including range of motion (if directed), quadriceps set, straight leg raises, and ankle pumps. You should make an appointment with your Physical Therapist for 3-5 days after your surgery if not already scheduled. Your physician will communicate with your therapist about your required post-op therapy. In most cases, you will be allowed to bear weight as tolerated. You will be specifically instructed if you are not to bear weight on your leg. You will want to advance to a normal heel-toe gait pattern as rapidly as possible using the crutches and after you discontinue the crutches. Wear shoes that are low-heeled, fit well, and give you good support, preferably not strapless sandals.
Revised August 2009
6900 A Street • P.O. Box 6939 Lincoln, Nebraska 68506 • Tel (402) 436-2000 • Fax (402) 436-2099