Knee Arthroscopy

If necessary, surgical instruments can be inserted through the arthroscope or through additional small incisions in your knee.

The benefits of arthroscopy include:

• small incisions
• fast healing
• rapid recovery, and
• little scarring.

Arthroscopic surgical procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means patients can return home the same day of the procedure.

Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint

Knee arthroscopy is an operation that involves inserting a small camera into your knee. The camera sends an image of the inside of your knee to a screen. Instruments are inserted into the knee through a second small incision at the front of the knee.

The benefits of arthroscopy include

• smaller incisions
• faster healing
• more rapid recovery, and
• less scarring

Some arthroscopic surgical procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means patients can return home the same day of the procedure.

Post Op Instructions

What to Expect

The speed of recovery after arthroscopy varies and depends on your particular condition and the type of surgery that was done. Every case is different and hence only general comments are made here. The findings of the operation will be discussed in detail at the first follow up visit rather than immediately after the operation as you may still be recovering after the anaesthetic.

Pain

You should be fairly pain-free for the first 4-8 hours after the operation. Some discomfort can be expected in the first 24 hours. Make sure you have some pain killers (or a prescription for such) to take home on discharge. If you experience pain, take pain killers as prescribed; place an ice pack or frozen peas on the knee (over a layer of the towel) for 10-15 minutes every half hour. Some swelling is also normal.

Walking / Exercises

You may put full pressure on the leg and walk as is comfortable unless told otherwise. Crutches or a walking stick may be required for a few days. Carry out straight leg raising exercises - clench the quads, lift the leg (with knee straight) six inches off the bed, hold it there for 3 seconds, lower back into bed. Repeat 20 times or more every waking hour.

Depending on your condition and the type of surgery that was done, you may or may not need physiotherapy.

Driving

You must not drive or operate machinery for the first 24 hours due to the effect of the anaesthetic. If it is your left knee that is involved and you drive an automatic car, you may drive when able. If it is your right knee that is involved, you may return to driving if you think you can depress the brake and control the car should an emergency arise.

Dressings

Remove the outer bandage 24 hours after the operation. Underneath the bandages will be stick-on dressings. Try to keep these dressings intact and dry. You can remove these after 7 days, leaving the scars exposed or cover them with an ordinary Bandaid. You may let the knee get wet as the dressings are waterproof. If water does get under the dressing, remove it and replace it with an ordinary Bandaid.

Warning Signs

• Severe pain after the first 24 hours not relieved by painkillers.
• Redness of the wound and feeling feverish.
• Pain in the calf, chest pain or shortness of breath.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should contact Dr Ferguson’s room, your GP or the hospital immediately.