Knee Arthroscopy Findings and Post-Operative Instructions
Matthew L. Busam, M.D.
The findings at your knee arthroscopy included the following:
___ Torn meniscus/cartilage(medial, lateral, both)
___ Articular cartilage injury
___ Arthritis (mild, moderate, severe)
___ Loose Body
___ ACL tear
___ Abnormal patella position
___ Synovitis/scar tissue within the knee)
Your surgery included:
___ Removal of torn meniscus/cartilage (medial/lateral)
___ Repair of torn meniscus (medial/lateral)
___ Debridement/smoothing of articular cartilage/joint surface (Chondroplasty)
___ Microfracture of articular cartilage defect
___ ACL reconstruction
___ Removal of loose bodies
___ Synovectomy (removal of thickened/inflamed joint lining)
___ Lateral release (division of the tight ligament that tethers the knee cap)
___ Other_______________________________________________________
Dressing/Wound Care
Your incisions have been closed with sutures which may or may not need to be removed.
In addition, they have been taped over with Steri-Strips. These are small Band-Aids that
can be removed when they begin to peel off. This usually occurs 7-10 days after surgery.
Your dressing includes gauze sponges immediately adjacent to the skin which are held in
place by a layer of sterile cotton adding. Your leg has also been wrapped in an Ace
bandage to provide compression and help to prevent swelling. Your dressing will be
removed at our first physical therapy visit. However, you may remove and rewrap the
Ace bandage at any time if it feels uncomfortable or too tight. Some bleeding may be on
the dressing after surgery. Call if the stain increases to more than 2 inches in diameter.
Automated Ice Pack
An ice pack has been placed on your knee over the dressing. This helps to lessen your
knee swelling as well as your pain. The instructions are included with the device. You
may use it 20 minutes out of every hour while you are awake.
**Remove or loosen the ice pack when you are not using it. Leaving it on too tight
for too long can cause swelling below your knee.**
In some cases, a bladder for the circulation of cold water around your knee will be
included in your dressing. You may use it 20 minutes out of every hour. Do not use the
ice pack if you have poor circulation in your leg or if you do not have normal
sensation in your lower extremity.
Straight leg raises
Perform 10 times every 30 minutes while awake. When you begin these exercises, it is
normal to feel pain in the front of your knee. You are not causing any damage to the joint
by doing these exercises. You will avoid losing muscle mass in your thigh and will
hasten your recovery. The more straight leg raises you perform, the easier and more
comfortable they will be.
Pain Medications
___ Percocet 1-2 tablets every 4 hours as needed for pain
___Vicodin 1-2 tablets every 4 hours as needed for pain
___ Demerol 1-2 tablets every 2-3 hours as needed for pain
___Other________________________________________
You may take Motrin / Advil / or Ibuprofen in addition to the above as needed.
**DO NOT TAKE ANY EXTRA TYLENOL IF YOU ARE TAKING PERCOCET
OR VICODIN. THESE MEDICATIONS CONTAIN TYLENOL. TAKING
ADDITIONAL TYLENOL CAN CAUSE LIVER DAMAGE.**
The pain medication may make you drowsy. Do not drink alcohol when taking pain
medication. Do not operate a motor vehicle while taking pain medication.
Nausea is a common side effect of narcotic pain medications. This can sometimes be
helped by taking your pain medicine with food. You should drink plenty of water while
taking pain medications. Your pain should decrease each day following your surgery. If
your pain is not controlled by your pain medications or increases in severity after the first
post-op day, please call our office. Western Hills location 513 347-9999 or Kentucky
859-331-9700.
Knee Immobilizer
Depending on your surgery, you may also have an immobilizer brace on your leg. This is
primarily for your comfort. The straps may be loosened, but the brace must be worn
when you are sleeping or walking. It may be removed by your physical therapist when
you have good muscle control of your leg and can walk safely.
Bathing
Keep your dressing dry. You may shower 2-3 days after your surgery. You may bathe
one weeks after your sutures are removed. You may swim or use a hot tub 2 weeks
following your suture removal.
Crutches/Joint Movement
___ Weight bear as tolerated
___ No weight bearing, allow your toe to lightly touch down when walking
___ __________% weight bearing
___ Use knee immobilizer
___ You are encouraged to move your knee as much as is comfortable
TED Hose
White stockings have been provided for you to wear on the un-operated (normal) leg to
maintain blood flow and help avoid blood clots. You may discontinue use of this stocking
when you are walking normally on the uninjured side. After the Ace bandage and
dressings have been removed from the operated side, you can substitute the stocking for
the ace bandage when you are up and walking.
Exercises
Ankle Pumps: Perform 10 times every 30 minutes while awake
Aspirin
Take one aspirin a day until you are able to walk normally. Aspirin is a mild blood
thinner and is given to help prevent blood clots in your leg following surgery.
**Do not take Aspirin if you have an allergy to this medication or if you have a
history of any bleeding disorder. Do not take Aspirin if you have had any
gastrointestinal problems with this type of medication. Ask your doctor if you have
any questions or concerns. **
Physical Therapy
You should have an appointment to see your physical therapist within a week after your
surgery. Do not forget to bring your physical therapy referral with you for your first
physical therapy visit. You will not be seen and treated without it. We may not be
able to provide day of PT referrals by phone. (This will be given to you at your post
operative appointment with Dr. Busam) Your therapist will remove your dressing and
begin the treatment outlined on the prescription.
Call the office if any of the following occur:
Temperature above 101
Excessive bleeding
Development of numbness/tingling
Increasing pain
Uncontrolled nausea or vomiting
Inability to urinate