Knee Arthroscopy — Recovery and Risks
A Knee Arthroscopy Surgery can take just about 30 minutes, however, the recovery time and the risk associated with it can be one of your greatest fears if your orthopaedic surgeon just recommended you to undergo a knee surgery for the affected knee.
Calm down! Here’s all that you need to know about Knee Arthroscopy Recovery & Risks:
How long does it take to recover from a Knee Arthroscopy Surgery?
Depending upon the post-surgical care you take, you may either recover within a few days or, take up to several months to get back to the normal routine. After a Knee Arthroscopy Surgery, here are few things that you should follow:
- Immediately after you recover from the effects of Anaesthesia — elevate the joint and repeat application of ice packs after regular intervals to minimize the effects of swelling.
- Follow it up with some joint exercises, which your Orthopaedic Specialist or your Physiotherapist have advised you to do.
- Take care of your dressings and protect them while taking shower. Showers can be taken only after 48 hours of surgery. Dressings or Stitches can be removed after 5- 14 days or during your first post-operative visit.
- If you experience any pain, your doctor may prescribe you with some pain killer medications for up to 3 weeks. Such medicines are usually over the counter medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol.
- Stitches are removed within a few days and wounds start to heal in a week.
- You would be asked to use Knee Braces after the surgery and until the wounds completely heal. You may take it off after every few hours so as to help your skin breathe and let the blood circulate to help in healing your wounds faster. After the wound is healed, you may continue using Neoprene Sleeves to protect your recovered area from any accidental shocks.
- After a successful Knee Arthroscopy, you would require paying visits to a well-qualified physical therapist to regain your lost range of motion with minimal swelling and adverse side effects. Ask your doctor if you would require a Physical Therapy.
- Post operation, you would require to visit your Knee Doctor after 7–14 days of Surgery, then at an interval of 4–6 weeks, followed by a visit after three months, or as recommended by your Orthopaedic Specialist.
Are there any Risks associated with Knee Arthroscopy Surgery?
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After a Knee Arthroscopic Surgery, you know it’s time to see the doctor if you experience any of the following:
- High Fever
- Severe and Aggravated Pain
- Increasing Redness and Swelling
- Numbness or Tingling Sensation
- Foul Smelling Discharge from the wounds
These problems usually arise as a result of complications that occurred during the surgery and may be caused due to infection, nerve damage or surgery done by the hands of the inexperienced. If you experience any of the abovementioned symptoms, you must immediately stop using the prescribed narcotic medications and consult your doctor at the earliest.
If you are an athlete or want to re-establish your fitness regime, then your orthopaedic surgeon would tell you to refrain from strenuous activities, such as lifting weights, for at least the first three weeks of Surgery. Start with low impact exercises prescribed by your Physical Therapist to gain the strength of your knees gradually.
