Recovery at Home

Taking good care of your knee at home will help you heal faster and better. Be sure to follow your health care provider's guidelines for healing. Don't remove your bandage or take a shower until your health care provider tells you it's OK.

Elevating Your Leg

Elevating your leg helps relieve pain and swelling. Prop your leg on a chair or with a large pillow.

Icing Your Knee

Ice helps numb pain and reduce swelling. Try to ice your knee for 15 to 20 minutes, or as long as your health care provider suggests. Ice your knee every 2 to 3 waking hours for the first few days after surgery. Use an ice pack or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a towel.

Eating Meals

You may have some nausea right after surgery. Choose light, easy-to-digest foods, such as soups. Drink plenty of liquids.

Taking Medication

Use medication as directed. If you're having trouble sleeping, try taking your pain medication at night. Be sure to avoid alcohol.

Doing Circulation Exercises

Moving your foot helps prevent blood clots. Point and flex your toes, and wiggle them as often as your surgeon suggests. In addition, bend and straighten your knee a few times each day to keep it limber.

Using Crutches

If you need crutches, your health care provider can show you the best way to use them. Be sure the hand rests are set at the right height for you. Also, put only as much weight on your leg as you're told.

Your Bandage

A bandage helps keep your incision clean and controls swelling. Talk to your health care provider about how to care for your bandage.

Bathing

You can shower when you can stand without pain for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also take a tub bath if you hold your leg out of the tub. When showering or bathing, you will need to keep your knee dry. Your health care provider may suggest a special stocking for this purpose. Plastic wrap taped around your knee also works. Or put your leg inside one or two clean plastic garbage bags and tape them above your knee.

Getting Back to Work

You may be able to return to a desk job just a few days after your arthroscopy. But if your job is very active, you will likely need to wait longer. Be sure to consult your health care provider before returning to work.

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