Arthroscopy surgery is designed to be less invasive. With arthroscopy knee surgery, the surgeon will use a tiny camera and very small surgical tools to repair the damage to your knee. This less invasive procedure should result in a shorter recovery for your knee surgery. However, you will still need time to recover.
Thing #1: Swelling After Surgery
After surgery, your knee is going to be swollen. The area where the surgeon made the incision may have slight skin discoloration. This is normal. The visible swelling in your knee should decrease in a few days. The swelling will decrease faster if you elevate your leg above your heart while you are resting and recovering.
It will take a little longer for your incision to heal. However, with the right care and topical applications, your scar should be barely visible over time.
Thing #2: Limit Activity
Following your surgery, in the first few days, you will want to stay off your feet and get a lot of rest. After the first few days, you will want to engage in a physical therapy schedule that will focus on building up the strength and movement in your knee. Attending physical rehabilitation should be something you plan on doing.
If your job involves hard labor, you may have to stay away from work for a few months. If your job doesn't include much labor, you can return to your job much sooner. However, you will want to limit serious physical activity until your body is ready for it.
Thing #3: Take Your Medication
After your surgery, you will have to take antibiotics. It is essential to take your full antibiotic prescription, regardless of how you feel.
Your doctor will also give you pain medication. Make sure that you take any prescription or over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your doctor. Don't overtake your pain medication; trust the dosage your doctor gave you, and if you have any issues, talk to your doctor.
Sometimes, pain medication can have an adverse impact on your stomach. This can be counteracted by taking your medication after you eat or by switching to different pain medication.
Thing #4: Care for the Incision
The incision from your surgery may not be very big; however, you still need to take good care of it. You will want to keep the dressing clean and dry until your doctor says you can remove it. Generally, you have to keep the dressing over the incision for two or three days. Once the dressing is off, and the incision is open to the area, keep the area as clean as possible.
When it comes to arthroscopy knee surgery, the recovery process will be quicker than invasive recovery methods. However, you still need to take your medication, participate in physical therapy, and care for the incision. If you have any questions, reach out to a company like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.
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