Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Follow the directions
• Part 2 of 3: Resting the Knee
• Part 3 of 3: Rehabilitation
• Tips

Arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic (joint) procedures. In this relatively short procedure, the inside of the knee joint is cleansed and healed, thanks to a pencil-sized camera that helps in making a more accurate diagnosis. Because the incision is small and the damage to the surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments is less severe, the healing time after arthroscopic surgery is shorter than after traditional knee surgery. However, if you want to fully recover from arthroscopic knee surgery, the postoperative period is quite stressful.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Follow the directions

1. 1 Follow your doctor's instructions. After arthroscopic surgery, it is very important that you follow all of the doctor's instructions that he deems necessary for your recovery. Your knee may not heal perfectly, but by following certain tips that help control inflammation and pain, as well as stimulate the healing process, your injury will heal as best as possible.
   • Almost all arthroscopic knee surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis and only last a few hours. Arthroscopy can be done under local, local, or general anesthesia to keep you from feeling pain during surgery.
   • The most common conditions that require knee arthroscopy include tearing the meniscus, pieces of cartilage within the joint, tearing or damage to the ligaments, chronic inflammation of the membrane (synovium), dislocation of the patella (patella), or removal of a cyst behind the knee.
2. 2 Take your medications as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe medications for you to reduce pain and inflammation, but, depending on your diagnosis, age, and general health, they may also come with medications to prevent infection and / or blood clots. Never take these medications on an empty stomach, as they can irritate the lining of your stomach and lead to ulcers.
   • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin can help you manage inflammation and pain.
   • Analgesics such as opioids, diclofenac, and acetaminophen will help relieve pain, but not inflammation.
   • Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection, while coagulants are prescribed to prevent blood clots.
3. 3 Keep your leg elevated while resting. To prevent inflammation in your knee, lift your leg above your heart with a pillow. This will help blood and lymphatic fluid circulate properly and not collect in your leg or knee. It is easier to keep your leg elevated while lying on the couch than sitting on a chair.
   • Constant bed rest is not recommended for any injuries of the musculoskeletal system, since at least some movement is needed to stimulate blood flow and healing (even waddling around the house). Therefore, rest is good, but complete inactivity is impractical.
4. 4 Apply ice to your knee. Ice is an effective treatment for almost all acute musculoskeletal injuries, as it constricts blood vessels (reduces inflammation) and numbness of nerve fibers (reduces pain). Cold therapy should be applied over and around the surgical scar for 15 minutes every 2-3 hours for several days, after which, when the swelling and pain subsides, reduce the frequency.
   • By wrapping ice around your knee with a bandage or elastic bandage, you can help control inflammation and reduce swelling.
   • To avoid frostbite, always wrap ice or frozen gel packs in a thin towel.
5. 5 Take care of your bandage. You will leave the hospital with a disinfected knee bandage that will absorb the blood flowing from the wound. Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower or bathe and when you need to change your dressing to reduce the chance of infection. The main thing is that the surgical incision remains clean and dry. When you change the dressing, apply an antiseptic to the wound.
   • Typically, you will be able to completely wash your body 48 hours after your surgery.
   • The most common antiseptics include iodine, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.
   • Check with your surgeon before applying anything to the wound. For example, iodine can slow wound healing, which is why some doctors do not recommend it.
6. 6 Watch out for signs of infection. Signs of postoperative infection include increased pain and swelling near the incision, discharge of pus and / or red streaks from the wound, fever, and drowsiness. If you develop symptoms of an infection, see your doctor immediately.
   • Your doctor will prescribe systemic antibiotics and topical antiseptics to fight the infection.
   • As a last resort, all pus and fluid will need to be pumped out of your wound.

Part 2 of 3: Resting the Knee

1. 1 Don't overdo it for the first few days. Arthroscopy can eliminate all knee pain almost immediately, but be careful and for the first few days give up the urge to engage in grueling activities so your wound can heal.Any exercise in the first few days after surgery should go smoothly. You should focus on contracting and moving the leg muscles without any weight bearing, for example, you can slowly raise your leg while lying on the couch or bed.
   • After a few days, focus on restoring balance and coordination by putting more weight on your leg, but remember to hold onto a chair or lean against a wall in case you lose your balance.
   • After surgery, complete inactivity (bed rest) is not recommended - muscles and joints must move and receive enough blood flow to recover.
2. 2 Use crutches. You will most likely need to take time off from work, especially if you need to stand, walk, drive, or lift something. The recovery period after simple arthroscopy is usually short (several weeks), but during this time you will need crutches. If parts of your knee have been repaired or rebuilt, you will not be able to walk for several weeks without crutches or an articulated knee brace, and full recovery can take from several months to a year.
   • Be sure to use crutches for your height, otherwise you may injure your shoulder.
3. 3 Change your work routine. If your job requires physical activity, then talk to your boss about moving into a position that requires less effort. For example, you can do sedentary work in the office or at home at the computer. Even driving a car is prohibited for 1-3 weeks after knee surgery, so just getting to work can be a challenge.
   • Whether you can drive a car depends on the following: what kind of knee you have injured, the type of car (with a manual or automatic transmission), the nature of the procedure, the degree of pain, and whether you are taking narcotic pain relievers.
   • If you had surgery on your right knee (with this foot you must press the gas and brake pedals), then you will have to give up driving for a long time.

Part 3 of 3: Rehabilitation

1. 1 Start with no weight-bearing exercise. After a few days, depending on the degree of pain, you will be able to do some exercises while lying on the floor or on your bed. Do measured exercises to restore knee mobility and strength, which for the most part can be done at home. The orthopedic surgeon will advise you to exercise for 20-30 minutes, two to three times a day. Start by contracting the muscles around the knee, but try not to bend the knee too much.
   • Squeeze the hamstrings: lie down or sit and bend your knee about 10 degrees; rest your heel on the floor, while squeezing the back muscles of the thigh; squeeze the muscles for 5 seconds, then relax your leg; repeat 10 times.
   • Squeeze the quadriceps muscle of the thigh: lie on your stomach, roll up a towel and place it under the ankle of the injured knee; press your ankle on a roll of towel - your leg should be as straight as possible; linger in this position for 5 seconds, and then relax your leg; repeat 10 times.
2. 2 Move on to weight-bearing exercises. As you warm up the muscles around the knee with isometric contractions, do some standing leg exercises. As you increase the intensity of the exercise, you may have some temporary problems - if your knee swells or starts to hurt after a particular exercise, stop doing it until the knee is back to normal.
   • Semi-squatting while holding a chair: Stand in front of a sturdy chair or kitchen table at a distance of 15-30 cm and grasp the table or chair back. Do not sink to the very bottom. Keep your back straight and stay in this position for 5-10 seconds. Rise slowly, relax and repeat 10 times.
   • Standing quadriceps (thigh) stretch: Stand and bend your injured knee. Slowly pull your heels towards the muscles of your buttocks. You will feel your front thigh muscles begin to stretch. Hold this position for 5 seconds, then relax your leg and repeat 10 times.
   • Bench climb: Step forward and stand on a bench that is 15 centimeters high, starting with your injured leg. Take a step back and then repeat 10 times. As the strength in your leg increases, you can increase the height of the bench or platform.
3. 3 Move on to strength training. The last phase of rehabilitation for your knee includes strength and cycling exercises. If you are not used to going to the gym and doing strength exercises, then seek help from a trainer or physiotherapist. A physical therapist will show you specific exercises to stretch and strengthen your knee, and, if necessary, relieve you of muscle pain with some treatment, such as therapeutic ultrasound or electronic muscle stimulation.
   • Sit on an exercise bike. Start with a 10-minute ride with the lowest resistance level, then move on to 30 minutes with an increased resistance.
   • Extension of the legs with weight (with the permission of the orthopedist). Find a leg extension machine in the gym and put on the lowest weight. Sit with your ankle hooked on the padded ridge and try to straighten your leg. Hold your leg in this position for a few seconds, then slowly lower it. Repeat the exercise 10 times. Start gradually increasing your weight over the course of several weeks. Stop doing the exercise if you feel pain and see your doctor for a consultation before starting this exercise again.

Tips

• Although you can walk without crutches about two weeks after surgery, you should stop running for six to eight weeks. This delay is caused by significant impulses and jerks that are transmitted down the leg directly to the knee during running.
• Over the course of several weeks, walking and running should be gradually incorporated into your training program.
• Taking supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin is beneficial in knee recovery. They increase lubrication and improve shock absorption.
• If your surgery did not involve ligament reconstruction, you may be able to return to physical activity after 6 to 8 weeks, or even earlier. Activities with greater intensity will have to be postponed for a longer period.
• Stop smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, which in turn leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients in muscles and other tissues.