After Knee Arthroscopy

After surgery, your joint may be swollen, painful, and stiff. Your recovery time will depend on what was done. Your surgeon will tell you when to resume activity and weight bearing. If you had meniscal cartilage or loose bodies removed, you may be told to bear weight early on. After ACL repair, don't pivot or make sudden moves.

You may be told to ride an exercise bike daily. This will help restore your knee's motion and strength.

At home

Follow your surgeon’s guidelines for healing:

• Raise (elevate) your knee as much as possible and ice your knee for 20 minutes at a time. Then allow at least 20 minutes before the next icing session. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel or cloth. Don’t put ice or an ice pack directly on the skin.

• Limit weight-bearing, if advised to do so.

• Keep your knee bandaged according to your surgeon's instructions.

• When you shower, wrap your knee with plastic to keep it dry.

• Take pain medicine as directed.

Your checklist

The checklist below helps remind you what to do after knee arthroscopy.

☐ Schedule your first follow-up visit for 5 to 7 days after surgery, or as directed by your surgeon.

☐ Take care of your incision, and bathe as directed.

☐ Complete your physical therapy program.

☐ Talk with your surgeon about activities you can do right away and those that need to wait.

When to call your healthcare provider

Contact your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or as directed by your provider

• Chills

• Lasting warmth or redness around the knee

• Lasting or increased pain

• Severe swelling in your knee

• Increasing pain in your calf muscle

• Knee stiffness that gets worse