Arthroscopy Day Case. An information guide

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1 TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST CARE FOR EACH PATIENT ON EVERY OCCASION Arthroscopy Day Case An information guide

2 Arthroscopy Day Case Arthroscopy Day case Post-operative regime The post-operative rehabilitation programme can be divided into 2 phases: Phase 1 Early recovery (the first 2 weeks) Phase 2 Functional recovery (2 weeks 6 weeks) Phase 1 (the first 2 weeks) Arthroscopy can be painful depending on the problems within the knee and the early postoperative period is obviously a very important phase in the recovery process. Every patient is different and progress can be very variable but there are a number of important principles which are critical to the success of the procedure. 1. Rest The knee must be allowed to recover from the operation. Inevitably there will be pain, stiffness and swelling for the first two weeks. After arthroscopy rest is advised for at least 3 days only walking around the house. Avoid long walks. 2. Elevation Along with rest, elevation is very important in the early postoperative period. Swelling of the knee and leg together with bruising and inflammation in the shin, ankle and even the foot is very common. Sitting in a chair with the knees bent (as in the normal sitting position) should be avoided, ideally place the foot on a footstool. After returning home, regular application of ice (e.g. bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) may be useful to ease pain and swelling. 2

3 3. Full extension Regaining full extension (straightening) of the knee is vital to the success of the operation. Pillows should not be placed under the knee for comfort, but a pillow placed under the ankle and heel will allow the knee to fall back into full extension. 4. Movement It is quite safe to move the knee immediately after surgery and you will be encouraged to do so. As stated previously regaining full extension is of prime importance but it is also important to flex (bend) the knee. Most patients will be able to achieve 90 of flexion (a right angle) after a few days and the sooner movements return the better. 5. Weight bearing Following surgery it is quite safe to take your full weight on the operated leg although you will probably find that initially full weight bearing is uncomfortable. Basically take as much weight on the leg as is comfortable and use crutches as needed. You may have some specific advice to follow if you have a cartilage repair. You will be advised on this from your surgical team. Day of surgery You will be admitted via the surgical day case unit for preoperative checks and signing of the consent form. Usually your procedure will be sometime within 4 hours of your admission. Recovery is usually for a couple of hours in the hospital in Day Surgical Unit (DSU) or ward C3 or C4. Local anaesthetic and strong painkillers will be given during the operation to make you comfortable. However, some pain is to be expected. Once you have recovered from the general anaesthetic if required the physiotherapists will provide you with crutches and advise on use and assess how safe you are on them or the ward staff will assess your safety on your feet. Once you are deemed safe for discharge you will have painkillers to take home 3

4 and you must have an adult with you for 24 hours after the general anaesthetic. 1st post-operative day The majority of the time will be spent resting in bed. The bulky bandage put on initially in the operating theatre can be removed. Place dressings on the wounds till the stitches are removed at two weeks. At rest the knee is kept as straight as possible and you will be instructed in exercises both to straighten and bend the knee actively (by yourself). It is quite safe to bend the knee. It is quite safe to put weight on the leg taking as much weight as is comfortable, this may change if you have had specific advice after the operation. You may, if you wish, sit out in the chair with the leg elevated. 2nd and 3rd post-operative days You will gradually become more mobile. The movement in the knee will be increased as pain permits with no restriction on bending. Again the majority of the time is spent with the leg rested and elevated, in bed or sitting out in a chair. Feel free to walk around the house. Day 3 until 2 weeks post-op The majority of the time will be spent with the leg rested and elevated gradually increasing the movement in the knee. You should have full extension and 90 of flexion by 2 weeks. Painful bruising, swelling, redness and inflammation down the front of the shin and ankle can occur after 3-5 days due to the joint fluid (synovial fluid) leaking out of the knee and tracking downwards due to gravity. This tends to settle down by 7-10 days when the joint is fully sealed following surgery. The discomfort can be minimised by elevation which will reduce the gravitational effect and by using ice. You are encouraged to increase general mobility, including weight bearing as pain permits. Showers (not baths) are permitted, dry the wounds and redress with dry dressings afterwards. If you work in a sedentary job you may feel ready to work after 3-5 days. 4

5 In a manual job you may need 2 weeks off or start on light duties. Most people are driving after 5-7 days. Please speak to your insurance company for any specific advice. Usually safety for driving is when you can safely perform an emergency stop. Phase 2 (2 weeks 6 weeks) The stitches will need to be removed by your GP practice nurse or at the walk in centre after approximately 2 weeks. There are some instructions in this leaflet regarding a home exercise programme to be performed at home and in the gym. Swimming is encouraged as early as possible. Your knee may continue to recover for up to 3 months after surgery. If recovery is gradual physiotherapy may be arranged. The knee may not be entirely normal again as you have had surgery on it. Important points it is vital that the knee extends (straightens) fully as soon as possible after surgery for the first 2-3 days the knee should mainly be rested although it is important to move the joint. Most patients will be permitted to fully weight bear, you will be advised by your surgical team if you need to use crutches dry the wounds after showers and keep covered until the stitches are out at 2 weeks driving is generally at 5-7 days, you must be able to perform an emergency stop, check with your insurance company when your insurance is valid after this procedure return to work 3-5 days for sedentary work, may be 2 or more weeks for heavy manual work cycling and swimming are the best activities in the post-operative period the knee may not be normal again. 5

6 Post-operative Arthroscopy Exercises Lying on your back with a sliding board under your leg. Bend and straighten your hip and knee by sliding your foot up and down the board. Keep your kneecap and foot facing the ceiling throughout. Repeat 15 times, 3-4 times daily. Lying on your back or sitting up in bed with legs straight. Bend your ankles and push your knees down firmly into the bed. Hold 5 seconds relax. Repeat 20 times, 3-4 times daily. Lying on your back or sitting up in bed. Put a roll under your operated leg. Exercise your operated leg by pulling your foot and toes up, tightening your thigh muscle and straightening the knee (keep knee on roll). Hold approximately 5 seconds and slowly relax. Repeat 20 times, 3-4 times daily. 6

7 Lying face down with your hips straight and knees together. Bend your knee as far as possible keeping the hip straight and ankle flexed. Hold approximately 5 seconds. Repeat 20 times, 3-4 times daily. Lying on your back with one leg straight and the other leg bent (you can vary the exercise by having your foot pointing either upwards, inwards and outwards). Exercise your straight leg by pulling the toes up, straightening the knee and lifting the leg 20cm off the bed. Hold approximately 5 seconds - slowly relax. Repeat 15 times, 3-4 times daily. 7

8 Sitting on a chair or the edge of the bed with your foot on a sliding board. Bend your knee as much as possible. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly relax your leg. Repeat 15 times, 3-4 times. 8

9 Sit on a chair or on the edge of the bed. Pull your toes up, tighten your thigh muscle and straighten your knee. Hold approx. 5 seconds and slowly relax your leg. Repeat 20 times, 3-4 times daily. 9

10 Sit on a chair or edge of the bed with your feet on the floor. Bend your knee back as much as possible. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 20 times, 3-4 times daily. 10

11 North Manchester General Hospital Contact numbers Surgical day case unit Ward C3 (male) Ward C4 (female) Physiotherapy

12 If English is not your frst language and you need help, please contact the Ethnic Health Team on Jeżeli angielski nie jest twoim pierwszym językiem i potrzebujesz pomocy proszę skontaktować się z załogą Ethnic Health pod numerem telefonu For general enquiries please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on For enquiries regarding clinic appointments, clinical care and treatment please contact and the Switchboard Operator will put you through to the correct department / service Date of publication: January 2016 Date of review: January 2019 Ref: PI (SU) 977 The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests