Instructions After Surgery
You will be given a list of instructions to take home when you leave the hospital. This will normally include a summary of findings from the operation and photos from inside your knee. In general you can expect -
Weight Bearing – On crutches for 1 – 2 days fully weight bearing unless you have had a microfracture (non weight bearing on crutches 6 weeks)
Bandage – A bulky dressing with small waterproof dressings underneath. The bulk dressing can be removed after 3 days. No brace unless you have had a meniscal repair.
Showering – With a plastic bag over the dressings until you remove the top dressing at 3 days then you can shower freely (the small dressings under the bulky bandage are splash proof)
Pain Relief – You will be given a prescription. Ice is also used for pain relief so get some for the freezer before surgery (or a bag of frozen peas).
Exercises/Physiotherapy – You will be given a list of exercises. Physiotherapy will be arranged as needed often at your follow up.
Follow Up – An appointment will be made to follow you up. This is usually found in the letter that my nurse gives you. It is usually 10 – 14 days after surgery.
Rehabilitation
The goals of rehabilitation include:
- Allowing the tissues to heal
- Regaining motion
- Regaining strength
- Returning to work and sport
The rate at which these goals are achieved depends on a number of factors including:
- The damage found at surgery
- The procedures undertaken at surgery
- Your own rate of healing
- Any complications that occur (uncommon)
- How closely you follow your post operative instructions
- How hard you work at rehabilitation