Shane K. Woolf, MD
Associate Professor of Arthroscopy,
Sports Medicine, and Shoulder Reconstruction
Chief, Sports Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Administrative Assistant: M. Annie Justiss
Office: (843) 792-1081 Fax: (843) 792-3674
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Patient Instructions After Outpatient Knee Surgery
Return to Activity and Rehabilitation
REMEMBER: After surgery your body, including your knee, may not respond as it has in the past. Be cautious and test your body and knee before you resume activity. Comply with the activity restrictions described below. Each patient’s recovery is different. If you have questions or concerns, check with your surgeon.
Return to Driving after Knee Surgery:
There are no medical rules with regard to when you may return to driving after knee surgery. There are, however, legal implications, and you may be held liable if a mishap occurs when you are driving in the weeks after surgery. Each patient must determine on an individual case-by-case basis when she/he feels it is safe for to drive. This may be done in consultation with the physician and/or physical therapist. In general, if you do not feel you can safely drive, then you should not drive. Your physician cannot recommend specifically when to return to driving but can offer the following guidelines:
· Do not drive home from the hospital after knee surgery
· Do not drive if impaired due to pain or due to the use of narcotic pain medications or other medications
· Do not drive if the knee brace limits her/his ability to safely operate the automobile
Return to Work after Knee Surgery:
There are no medical rules with regard to when you may return to work after knee surgery unless specifically instructed by your surgeon. Patients must determine on an individual basis when she/he feels able to return to work. This can be done in consultation with the physician, case manager, and/or physical therapist. In general, a functional level of knee motion and strength is required before returning to work that involves standing, walking, or more strenuous activity. Patients with Workman’s Compensation Claims will be released for full or restricted duty work according to the surgeon’s assessment of her/his abilities, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, as required by law. Patients with weight-bearing restrictions or bracing requirements must comply with these requirements, even if this limits the ability to return to full or restricted duty work.
Return to Sports Activity after Knee Surgery:
In general, there are no medical rules with regard to when you may return to sports after knee surgery. You must determine on an individual basis when you feel able to return to sports. This should be done in consultation with the physician and/or physical therapist, as certain restrictions may apply.
Patients with weight-bearing restrictions or bracing requirements must comply with these requirements, even if this limits the ability to return to sports. Furthermore, return of complete knee motion and strength is required prior to safely returning to sports. Patients must be aware that recurrent injury and further damage are possible despite appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation after Knee Surgery:
Patients having knee arthroscopy, including partial medial and/or lateral meniscectomy (trimming a torn meniscus), loose body removal, synovectomy (removing painful inflamed joint lining), or chondroplasty (smoothing rough cartilage), must follow the post-operative instruction sheets and may gradually resume activities. At the first follow-up office visit, formal physical therapy may be recommended for patients with significant swelling, stiffness, weakness, or pain, but will not be prescribed in all cases.
Special Instructions:
Please Call (843) 573-1550 or 792-2123 (after hours) for:
· Any Questions or Concerns
o For medical emergencies call 911
· Excessive redness of the incisions
· Drainage of more than 4 days
· Fever of more than 101.5° F
· You should have a follow up appointment with your surgeon 7-10 days after surgery. If one is not already scheduled, call (843) 876-0111 for an appointment.
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