After Knee Arthroscopy

At home

Follow your surgeon’s guidelines for healing:

• Raise (elevate) your knee as much as possible and ice your knee for 20 minutes at a time. Then allow at least 20 minutes before the next icing session. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel or cloth. Don’t put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Limit weight-bearing, if advised to do so. Your surgeon will tell you how much weight to put on your knee. Physical therapy may be prescribed.

• Keep your knee bandaged according to your surgeon's instructions.

• Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower or bathe. When you shower, wrap your knee with plastic to keep it dry.

• Take pain medicine as directed. You may be on a combination of medicines, such as opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthesia (called a "block"). Some pain is normal. Your healthcare team will help you know what is expected.

• Follow your surgeon's instructions on taking medicine, like aspirin, to decrease the risk of blood clots.

• Your surgeon will let you know when you can drive or operate machinery. This may be between 1 to 3 weeks.

Your checklist

The checklist below helps remind you what to do after knee arthroscopy.

☐ Schedule your first follow-up visit for 5 to 7 days after surgery, or as directed by your surgeon.

☐ Take care of your incision, and bathe as directed.

☐ Complete your physical therapy program.

☐ Talk with your surgeon about activities you can do right away and those that need to wait.

Call 911

Call 911 if you have any of these:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath or feeling you can't get enough air

• Feeling lightheaded, faint, or dizzy

When to call your healthcare provider

Contact your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or as directed by your provider

• Chills

• Lasting warmth or redness around the knee

• Lasting or increased pain

• Severe swelling in your knee

• Increasing pain, swelling, or redness in your calf muscle

• Knee stiffness that gets worse.