Version July 2025
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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 arthroscopy? —
This is a type of "minimally invasive surgery." During arthroscopy, the doctor looks inside a joint to see what is causing a problem (figure 1 and figure 2). They can also use special tools to repair or remove tissue from the joint.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure 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 the affected joint on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This helps 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 joint. Never put ice right on your 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 your doctor's instructions about moving your joint after surgery:
•You might need to wear a brace or sling to support your joint or limit movement. Ask your doctor how long to wear the brace or sling.
•You might not be able to fully use your joint:
-If you had surgery on your hip, knee, or ankle, you might not be able to put all your weight on that leg. Ask your doctor about how much weight you can put on it, if any. If you were given crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair, make sure you know when and how to use them.
-If you had surgery on your shoulder, elbow, or wrist, you might have to limit how you use that arm. Ask your doctor about how you can move your arm and how much weight you can lift with it.
●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement. Your doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do. They might have you start with short walks around your home and then walk a little more each day.
•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. They will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.
●Your doctor might have you start to gently stretch your joint or use your joint more. They might give you exercises to do as your joint heals. They might also suggest you have physical therapy.
●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 them dry.
•Once you no longer need to keep them dry, gently wash them with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put them underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.
•After you wash them, pat them dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on them. They will also tell you if you need to cover them with a bandage or gauze.
•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incisions or bandages.
●Take your medicines as instructed:
•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 skin 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 emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:
●Feel short of breath, or have trouble breathing
●Have sharp or severe chest pain when breathing
●Cough up blood
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●You have worsening redness or swelling in your arm or leg, or around your incisions.
●You have any fluid draining from your incisions, including pus, blood, or watery fluid, especially if it has a bad smell.
●Your pain or swelling is getting worse.
●Your arm or leg is blue or gray, numb, or very painful.
●You have discomfort when you take a deep breath.
●You cannot use your joint, the joint "locks" in place, or your joint "gives out."
Patient education: Knee arthroscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Shoulder arthroscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Minimally invasive surgery (The Basics)
