IDAHO ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERIES
DRESSINGS: A bulky dressing has been applied over your incision following your surgery. This dressing should be
left on for three days following surgery. Do not be alarmed if your dressing becomes moist or bloodstained. However,
if the area continues to bleed or becomes soaked with blood, you should call our office. If you are having excessive
swelling and the bandage becomes too tight, you may unwrap the dressing and reapply it to loosen it. After three days
you may remove the dressing. You may want to keep the area covered with a dry dressing or band-aid to avoid
rubbing on the surgical site, but this is not necessary. If you have been given a knee immobilizer, keep this on at all
times unless sitting watching TV, etc. It needs to be worn at night while you sleep also. Follow Dr. Liljenquist’s
instructions regarding the knee immobilizer.
WOUNDS: Your wound should be kept clean and dry. You may shower after the third day, however DO NOT sit in
a bathtub, hot tub or swim in a swimming pool for a minimum of 3 weeks following surgery. The wound needs to be
very well healed to avoid any introduction of bacteria that may start an infection. Do not apply any ointments or
creams to your incision.
SWELLING: You may notice some swelling after surgery. This is normal but you need to elevate the leg above your
heart to reduce the swelling. You also should ice the area on and off for the first few days. Do not use heat therapy on
the site as this increases swelling. Rest is also indicated as being up on your leg too much will increase swelling.
Swelling increases pain so try to keep it under control.
PAIN: You will be given a prescription for pain medication before you leave the hospital. Do not drive or drink
alcohol while taking pain medications. Please follow the directions on the label of your pain prescription and DO NOT
take more than is indicated. Please inform our office if you have any allergic reaction to your medication.
ACTIVITY: Try to rest the first few days following surgery. Let pain be your guide. If it hurts then you are probably
doing too much. You may want to use crutches for the first day or two but should not be needed after that. Begin your
post-operative home exercises the day after surgery. If formal physical therapy is indicated, call the day after surgery
to schedule your appointment with the therapist. Be sure to ice after exercising or therapy. If you are placed in a knee
immobilizer or knee brace, it must be worn at all times except when showering.
DIET: Begin with light meals and progress your diet as tolerated. Carbohydrates will generally have a lower
incidence of nausea and vomiting. If you are taking pain medications, increase you water intake. Pain medications
cause constipation so be sure to drink an extra amount of liquid.
PRECAUTIONS: If you develop a fever greater than 101 F or if you have any severe swelling in your legs, rash,
blisters, itching, hives or shortness of breath, please contact our office immediately. If you have a problem or question,
do not hesitate to call the office. If you need to call after hours or on the weekend, just follow the prompts when you
call our office and Diane will get your call.
RETURN APPOINTMENT: A post-op appointment is typically arranged for you while at the hospital. If they did not
give you a follow-up appointment time, please call our office for an appointment time. Post-op appointments are
typically 2 weeks following surgery.
PLEASE CALL DR. LILJENQUIST’S OFFICE AT 522-3355 WITH ANY QUESTIONS