Post-Operative Instructions (Knee Arthroscopy)
WOUND CARE
Remove the dressing and pain pump on postoperative day 2. Leave steri-strips (thin white strips of tape) alone; allow them to fall off over the next few weeks, if the ends begin to peel then with a pair of scissors cut the ends flush with the skin. Apply fresh, sterile gauze to the incision sites and cover with tape.
The removal of the pain pump must include the plastic tubing that enters the skin, upon removal check to make sure the end of the plastic tube is intact, if it has broken then contact Dr. Yuri Lewicky’s office immediately
Keep wound clean and dry
You may shower on postoperative day 3 so long as you cover the incision sites with a sealed plastic bag or plastic wrap with tape.
Do not bathe or swim until 48 hours after the sutures (stitches) are removed.
Suture removal, if needed, occurs at your first post-op visit
(usually 10 – 14 days)
After Knee Arthroscopy, there is a variable amount of pain and swelling, often depending on how much surgery was done. You may notice swelling extending above your knee, which usually diminishes after several days. It is helpful to keep the affected leg elevated and to apply ice regularly. “Toes above your nose”.
If you had a Lateral Release or Meniscal Repair you may notice a significant amount of swelling in the knee and possibly some bruising. This commonly occurs and may take several weeks to diminish. Continue to ice the knee regularly and elevate the leg to help diminish the swelling.
CRUTCHES
Weight-bearing status will depend upon the procedure performed and will be made clear to you prior to your discharge.
BRACE
If you had a Meniscal Repair, Osteochondritis Dissecans Drilling or Repair or an ACL Reconstruction, a knee immobilizer has been applied to restrict your knee motion from 0 degrees and should be worn during the day and night until instructed otherwise. You may remove it to apply ice to the knee and to shower.
ICING
Apply ice packs wrapped in a towel to the knee every 2 hours for 30 minutes, this should be continued for at least 48 hours or until swelling has resolved.
A Cryocuff (constant cool therapy) may have been applied to your knee. It is recommended that you use it fairly consistently for the first 24-48 hours to help diminish the swelling. Thereafter, you may use it on an as needed basis.
PAIN CONTROL
Your surgical area may have been injected with a numbing medication which lasts 2 to 12 hours. While the area is numb, you will need to protect it from injury. You may feel tingling and the beginning of discomfort when the block is wearing off. If you have pain, take your pain medication as directed.
A prescription for pain medication should be given to you at your preoperative visit in the clinic. Use the medication as prescribed. Do not drive, drink alcohol, or perform duties that require concentration or manual dexterity while on the medication
FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT
A follow-up appointment in 10-14 days should have been scheduled for you at your preoperative visit. If not, please call the office at (928) to make an appointment.
If needed, sutures will be removed during your first post-op visit.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
Toes should be pink. If toes become blue, black or cold or if numbness persists, call Dr. Yuri Lewicky’s office, if after hours the answering service will direct you to the physician on call, or go to the Emergency Room.
Signs and symptoms to report include persistent fever greater than 100 degrees, wound redness or continued drainage, numbness or tingling for an extended period of time (greater than 24 hours).
If you have any problems, please call our office at (928). During night and weekend times, a physician will be paged to assist you. Please identify yourself, the surgery that you had performed, when it was done and that your Physician is Dr. Yuri Lewicky.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
You may begin quad sets, straight leg raises, calf pumps, and range of motion exercises as tolerated (see diagrams below.) Let pain and swelling be your guide to how much you do.
Straight leg raises – Tighten the thigh muscle with your knee fully straightened on the bed, as with the Quad set. Lift your leg several inches. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Slowly lower. Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued. You also can do leg raises while sitting. Fully tighten your thigh muscle and hold your knee fully straightened with your leg unsupported. Repeat as above. Continue these exercises periodically until full strength returns to your thigh.
Ankle pumps – Move your foot up and down rhythmically contracting the calf and shin muscles. Perform this exercise periodically for two to three times an hour in the recovery room. Continue this exercise until you are fully recovered and all ankle and lower-leg swelling has subsided.
Knee strengthening exercises – Place a small rolled towel just above your heel so that it is not touching the bed. Tighten your thigh. Try to fully straighten your knee and to touch the back of your knee to the bed. Hold fully straightened for five to 10 seconds. Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued.
Bed supported knee bends – Bend your knee as much as possible while sliding your foot on the bed. Hold your knee in a maximally bent position for 5 to 10 seconds and then straighten. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or until you can completely bend your knee.
Sitting supported knee bends – While sitting at bedside or in a chair with your thigh supported, place your foot behind the heel of your operated knee for support. Slowly bend your knee as far as you can. Hold your knee in this position for 5 to10 seconds. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or until you can completely bend your knee.
Sitting unsupported knee bends – While sitting at bedside or in a chair with your thigh supported, bend your knee as far as you can until your foot rests on the floor. With your foot lightly resting on the floor, slide your upper body forward in the chair to increase your knee bend. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Straighten your knee fully. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or until you can completely bend your knee.