Discharge Instructions Arthroscopic Meniscectomy, Chondroplasty or Debridement

Recovery after knee surgery entails controlling swelling and discomfort, healing, return of range-of-motion of the knee joint, regaining strength in the muscles around the knee joint, and a gradual return to activities. The following instructions are intended as a guide to help you achieve these individual goals and recover as quickly as possible after your knee surgery.

Comfort

Elevation - Elevate your knee and ankle above the level of your heart. The best position is lying down with two pillows lengthwise under your entire leg. This should be done for the first several days after surgery
Swelling - A cooling device may be provided to control swelling and discomfort by slowing the circulation in your knee. Initially, this can be used continuously for the first 3 days, (while the initial post-op dressing is on). After 3 days, the cooling device should be applied 3 times a day for 10-minute intervals. If a cooling device is not provided at the time of surgery, place crushed ice in a plastic bag over your knee for no more than 20 minutes, three (3) times day
Pain Medication - Take medications as prescribed, but only as often as necessary. Avoid alcohol and driving if you are taking pain medication
Antibiotic Medication - If an antibiotic has been prescribed, start taking the day of your surgery. The first dose should be around dinnertime. Continue taking until the prescription is finished
Driving - Driving is NOT permitted until after your first post-operative visit

Activities

Range-of-Motion - Move your knee through range of motion as tolerated. This must be done while sitting or lying down
Exercises - These help prevent complications such as blood clotting in your legs. Point and flex your foot and wiggle your toes. Thigh muscle tightening exercises should begin the day of surgery and should be done for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day, for the first few weeks after surgery
Weightbearing Status - You are allowed to put all of your weight on your operative leg. Do this within the limits of pain. Usually start with two crutches then progress to using one crutch in the hand opposite of your surgical side. You may discontinue crutches one week after surgery unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Forsythe
Physical Therapy - If physical therapy is required after your surgery your doctor will notify you and give you a prescription. PT should be started 3-5 days after surgery. You should call the physical therapist of your choice for an appointment as soon as possible after surgery. A prescription for physical therapy, along with physical therapy instructions (included in this packet) must be taken to the therapist at your first visit
Athletic Activities - Athletic activities, such as swimming, bicycling, jogging, running and stop-and-go sports, should be avoided until allowed by your doctor
Return to Work - Return to work as soon as possible. Your ability to work depends on a number of factors - your level of discomfort and how much demand your job puts on your knees. If you have any questions, please call your doctor

Wound Care

Tub bathing, swimming, and soaking of the knee should be avoided until allowed by your doctor - Usually 2 - 3 weeks after your surgery. Keep the dressing on, clean and dry for the first 3 days after surgery
Remove the dressing 3 days after surgery. The steri-strips (small white tape that is directly on the incision areas) should be left on until the first office visit. You may apply band-aids to the small incisions around your knee
You may shower 5 days after surgery with band-aids on. Apply new band-aids after showering

Eating

Your first few meals, after surgery, should include light, easily digestible foods and plenty of liquids, since some people experience slight nausea as a temporary reaction to anesthesia

Call your physician if

Pain in your knee persists or worsens in the first few days after surgery
Excessive redness or drainage of cloudy or bloody material from the wounds (Clear red tinted fluid and some mild drainage should be expected). Drainage of any kind 5 days after surgery should be reported to the doctor
You have a temperature elevation greater than 101°
You have pain, swelling or redness in your calf
You have numbness or weakness in your leg or foot

Return to the office

Your first return to our office should be within the first 1 - 2 weeks after your surgery. Call Dr. Forsythe’s office to make an appointment for this first post-operative visit

Rehabilitation Guidelines Arthorscopic Meniscectomy, Chondroplasty or Debridement

The intent of this protocol is to provide the therapist with guidelines of the post-operative rehabilitation course after an arthroscopic meniscectomy. It should not be a substitute for one’s clinical decision making regarding the progression of a patient’s post-operative course based on their physical exam findings, individual progress, and/or the presence of post-operative complications. The therapist should consult the referring physician with any questions or concerns.

PHASE I (0 - 2 weeks)

Goals

Control inflammation and pain
Achieve full ROM
Regain quadriceps control
Full weight-bearing

Brace

None
Crushed ice in plastic bag or Cryocuff 3 times per day for 20 minutes and ice after every therapy session

Weight-Bearing Status

Weight-bearing as tolerated with crutches as needed for 1-5 days until normal gain is re-established

Therapeutic Exercises

Straight leg raises in all planes
Heel slides, calf pumps, quadriceps sets
Electrical stimulation as needed to control edema and regain quad tone
Wall slides
Patellar mobilization
Balancing activities on a stable platform with eyes open and closed
Quad, hamstring, gastroc, ITB stretching
Stationary bike with low resistance and high seat
Toe raise

PHASE II (2 - 6 weeks)

Criteria

Good quad set, SLR without extension lag
Full AROM

Goals

Maintain full active ROM
Progress with strengthening and endurance
Gradual return to functional activities

Brace/Weight-bearing status

Full weight-bearing, no crutches or brace
Use Cryocuff or ice after therapy

Therapeutic Exercises

Mini-squats (0 - 45 degrees)
Stationary Bike (high seat, low tension)
Closed chain extension (leg press:0 - 60 degrees)
Hamstring curls
Pool walking/jogging
Stair climbing (up/down, forward. backwards), StairMaster
Elliptical trainer, cross-country skiing
Begin jogging
Plyometrics
- Stair jogging
- Box jumps at 6 and 12 inch heights
Proprioception
- Mini-tramp standing and bouncing
- Unstable platform (BAPS) with eyes open and closed
- Ball throwing and catching from stable surface, then advance to unstable surface