Patient education: Knee arthroscopy – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is knee arthroscopy? — Knee arthroscopy is a type of "minimally invasive surgery." During the procedure, the doctor looks inside the joint to see what is causing a knee problem (figure 1). They can also use special tools to repair or remove tissue in the knee.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

For the first 24 hours after surgery:

●Do not drive or operate heavy or dangerous machinery.

●Do not make any important decisions or sign any important papers.

●Do not drink alcohol of any kind.

You should also:

●Prop your leg on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This can help lessen pain and swelling.

●Ice to help ease pain and swelling:

•Place a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over your knee. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

●Follow all of your doctor's instructions about moving your knee after surgery:

•You might need to wear a brace to support your knee or limit movement. Ask your doctor how long you need to wear the brace.

•You might not be able to put all of your weight on the leg where you had surgery. Talk to the doctor about how much weight you can put on your leg. Depending on your surgery, you might not be allowed to put any weight on it at all. Other times, you can put some weight on your leg. If you were given crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair, make sure that you know when and how to use them.

●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement. Your doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do. Your doctor might have you start with short walks around your home and walk a little more each day.

•In a few days, your doctor might have you start to gently stretch your knee or put more weight on your leg. They might give you exercises to do as your knee heals. They might also suggest that you have physical therapy.

•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.

●Take care of your incisions – You might have stitches, staples, surgical glue, or special adhesive strips on your incisions. If you had minimally invasive surgery, you might have more than 1 incision.

•Keep your incisions dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incisions dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incisions dry, gently wash them with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incisions underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incisions, pat them dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incisions. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incisions with a bandage or gauze.

●Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incisions or bandages.

●Use a stool softener to help prevent constipation, if needed. This is a common problem if you take opioid pain medicines. Follow all instructions for taking your pain medicines.

●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). These can be used instead of opioids.

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check on your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness or swelling around your incisions.

●Your pain or swelling is getting worse.

●Your foot or toes are blue or gray, and numb.

●You can't put weight on your knee, your knee "locks" in place, or your knee "gives out."

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