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Care
of the Knee after Surgery
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Post-Op
Care
The
protocols described here are general in nature. Every
human being and every surgery is different so the
information given here is for general guidance only.
If you have questions you should contact us.
For
detailed Post-Op information on each of the surgeries
we perform, click on the procedure listed below. To
return to the menu, click the 'Top' link immediately
following each Post-Op description.
Partial
Menisectomy
Meniscus Repair
Meniscus Transplant
Chondroplasty
Microfracture
Osteochondral Transfer
Autologous Chondrocyte
Implantation
ACL Reconstruction
PCL Reconstruction
Unicompartmental Arthroplasty
Partial
Menisectomy
After
part of the meniscus has been trimmed the body forms
scar over it, smoothing the area. Meniscus tissue
is nourished by joint fluid because it does not have
a complete blood supply. While this healing is taking
place there is more fluid in the joint than usual.
Often, especially early on, there is enough fluid
in the joint to limit motion.
Crutches
are provided for comfort after Menisectomy. Unless
there is some other problem in the joint it will not
cause damage to bear full weight. You can discontinue
the crutches at your own pace. Sometimes it is more
comfortable to use only one crutch for a while. There
is no real benefit to pushing yourself to increased
activity in the first week after surgery. Advance
your activity as you are able and be patient. We will
start physical therapy when your stitches are out.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches but you can work your
way off of them when your pain and stability allow.
You may find that after you have been up on crutches
fro a while you have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. There is no need to
cover the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a
bathtub. After you dry your knee you can cover the
incisions with band aids. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your surgery
and remove your stitches. We will review with you
what was done in surgery ad will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about week five
or six after your surgery. For many people this is
the last visit.
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Meniscus
Repair
The
protocols described here are for general information.
There will probably be some differences in each case
from what is said here.
After
part of the meniscus has been stitched back together,
the pieces grow back together. Meniscus tissue is
nourished by joint fluid because it does not have
a complete blood supply. While this healing is taking
place there is more fluid in the joint than usual.
Often, especially early on, there is enough fluid
in the joint to limit motion.
We
do not want you to bend your knee completely while
the meniscus is healing. Bending the knee, even without
your weight on it, can cause it to tear again. For
this reason we put your leg in a knee immobilizer
to help protect the meniscus. Dr. Tabet will tell
you how much bending is safe for your particular case.
Crutches
are provided for comfort. It is actually OK to put
your weight on the knee. Unless there is some other
problem in the joint it will not cause damage to bear
full weight. You can discontinue the crutches at your
own pace. You should continue to use the knee immobilizer.
Sometimes it is more comfortable to use only one crutch
for a while. There is no real benefit to pushing yourself
to increased activity in the first week after surgery.
Advance your activity as you are able and be patient.
It is important to use the immobilizer for six weeks
after the surgery.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches but you can work your
way off of them when your pain and stability allow.
You may find that after you have been up on crutches
for a while you have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. You may be safer in
the shower if you use a plastic chair or stool so
that you don't slip or fall. There is no need to cover
the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a bathtub.
After you dry your knee you can cover the incisions
with bandaids. If you feel that the pain medication
you were given after surgery is stronger than you
really need you can switch to ibuprophen or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about physical
therapy and answer any questions you may have. The
next follow up after the sutures are out will be about
five or six weeks after your surgery.
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Meniscus
Transplant
Management
of the knee after meniscus transplant is very much
like a meniscus repair. The basic ideas are that the
leg must be kept straight for the first month but
it won't damage anything to bear full weight when
you are able.
We
do not want you to bend your knee completely while
the meniscus is healing. Bending the knee, even without
your weight on it, can cause it to tear. For this
reason we put your leg in a knee immobilizer to help
protect the meniscus. Dr. Tabet will tell you how
much bending is safe for your particular case.
Crutches
are provided for comfort. It is actually OK to put
your weight on the knee. Unless there is some other
problem in the joint it will not cause damage to bear
full weight. You can discontinue the crutches at your
own pace. You should continue to use the knee immobilizer.
Sometimes it is more comfortable to use only one crutch
for a while. There is no real benefit to pushing yourself
to increased activity in the first week after surgery.
Advance your activity as you are able and be patient.
It is important to use the immobilizer for six weeks
after the surgery.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches but you can work your
way off of them when your pain and stability allow.
You may find that after you have been up on crutches
for a while you have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. You may be safer in
the shower if you use a plastic chair or stool so
that you don't slip or fall. There is no need to cover
the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a bathtub.
After you dry your knee you can cover the incisions
with bandaids. You will need extra large bandaids
for the longer incisions. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about physical
therapy and answer any questions you may have. The
next follow up after the sutures are out will be about
five or six weeks after your surgery.
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to Main Post-Op Info Page
Chondroplasty
The
body does not make new cartilage. When the cartilage
that covers the joint surfaces is damaged there is
friction which causes more and more wear until no
repair is possible. If this process can be stopped
early on the life of the joint can be prolonged and
a higher level of function maintained. Chondroplasty
is the simplest form of cartilage repair. Chondroplasty
means smoothing over the damaged surface. When this
is done the body will form scar over the area and
this makes for less friction and less wear.
Activity
needs to be limited for at least a month after chondroplasty
to give time for healing.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches but you can work your
way off of them when your pain and stability allow.
You may find that after you have been up on crutches
for a while, you may have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. There is no need to
cover the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a
bathtub. After you dry your knee you can cover the
incisions with bandaids. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about week five
or six after your surgery. For many people this is
the last visit.
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Back
to Main Post-Op Info Page
Microfracture
The
body does not make new cartilage. When the cartilage
that covers the joint surfaces is damaged there is
friction which causes more and more wear until no
repair is possible. If this process can be stopped
early on the life of the joint can be prolonged and
a higher level of function maintained. If cartilage
damage extends to the bone that lies beneath it, microfracture
is done to encourage scar tissue to fill the defect.
This makes for less friction and less wear.
Doctor
Tabet will recommend that you use crutches and only
put a small amount of weight down with each step.
This will continue for five weeks after your surgery.
You will also be sent home with a Continuous Passive
Motion Machine. Use of this machine has been shown
to stimulate healing after microfracture.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches. Continue to use the
crutches until Dr. Tabet says it is OK to discontinue
their use. It is all right to touch the injured leg
to the ground but the pressure should not be greater
than 25 pounds. Use your bathroom scales to judge
how much pressure this is. You may find that after
you have been up on crutches for a while, you may
have increased pain and tightness in your knee. That
is an indication that you should get off of your feet
and get your knee above your heart. Icing your knee
may help provide some relief. You can get up and go
again when your swelling and pain decrease. Each day
you should be able to do a little more and have to
spend less time with your leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. There is no need to
cover the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a
bathtub. After you dry your knee you can cover the
incisions with bandaids. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Sometimes
Dr. Tabet will order a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
machine for you to use at home. This machine is used
in bed to move the knee. This helps reduce swelling,
increases motion and stimulates healing
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery. For many people this
is the last visit.
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to Main Post-Op Info Page
Osteochondral
Transfer
When
bone and cartilage are transferred from one area of
the knee to another, it takes about a month for this
to be incorporated into the new site so that it is
stable and can withstand the forces of weightbearing
and pivoting with weight.
Progression
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches. Continue to use the
crutches until Dr. Tabet says it is OK to discontinue
their use. Usually, he will want you to continue the
crutches for a month after your surgery. It is all
right to touch the injured leg to the ground but the
pressure should not be greater than 25 pounds. Use
your bathroom scales to judge how much pressure this
is. You may find that after you have been up on crutches
for a while, you may have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. There is no need to
cover the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a
bathtub. After you dry your knee you can cover the
incisions with bandaids. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can switch to ibuprophen
or Tylenol.
Sometimes
Dr. Tabet will order a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
machine for you to use at home. This machine is used
in bed to move the knee. This helps reduce swelling,
increases motion and stimulates healing.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery. For many people this
is the last visit.
Back to Top
Back
to Main Post-Op Info Page
Autologous
Chondrocyte Implantation
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches. Continue to use the
crutches until Dr. Tabet says it is OK to discontinue
their use. Usually, he will want you to continue the
crutches for a month after your surgery. It is all
right to touch the injured leg to the ground but the
pressure should not be greater than 25 pounds. Use
your bathroom scales to judge how much pressure this
is. You may find that after you have been up on crutches
for a while, you may have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more. You can remove the dressings at about 48 hours
after your surgery. It is OK to shower and wash the
incisions with soap and water. There is no need to
cover the incisions. Do not soak the knee as in a
bathtub. After you dry your knee you can cover the
incisions with bandaids. You will need regular sized
bandaids for the small incisions and extra large bandaids
for the longer incisions. If you feel that the pain
medication you were given after surgery is stronger
than you really need you can reduse the dose, take
it less frequently or switch to ibuprophen or Tylenol.
Sometimes
Dr. Tabet will order a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
machine for you to use at home. This machine is used
in bed to move the knee. This helps reduce swelling,
increases motion and stimulates healing.
Approximately
Day 7
We
will see you back about one week after your surgery
and remove your stitches. We will review with you
what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. At this visit
we will The next follow up after the sutures are out
will be about five or six weeks after your surgery.
Visit
the Genzyme
Biosurgery web site for more specifific rehab
information, if necessary.
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to Main Post-Op Info Page
ACL
Reconstruction
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches. You can discontinue
the crutches when you are comfortable without them.
It will not damage your knee to bear weight. For the
first week we want you to use a knee immobilizer when
you are walking. This is a brace which keeps your
leg straight and helps with pain and stability. You
may find that after you have been up on crutches for
a while, you may have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
A
drain is put in your knee so there will be a tube
that comes out of the dressing to a canister that
collects the drainage. You will receive instructions
in the recovery room about taking care of the drain.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more.
Sometimes
Dr. Tabet will order a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM)
machine for you to use at home. This machine is used
in bed to move the knee. This helps reduce swelling,
increases motion and stimulates healing. The CPM is
usually delivered to your home on the day after surgery.
The person who delivers the CPM will remove your drain.
After
the drain has been removed, you can remove the dressings.
It is OK to shower and wash the incisions with soap
and water. There is no need to cover the incisions.
Do not soak the knee as in a bathtub. After you dry
your knee you can cover the incisions with bandaids.
You will need regular sized bandaids for the small
incisions and extra large bandaids for the longer
incisions. If you feel that the pain medication you
were given after surgery is stronger than you really
need you can reduce the dose, take it less frequently
or switch to ibuprophen or Tylenol.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery.
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to Main Post-Op Info Page
PCL
Reconstruction
Day
1
When
you are discharged from the day surgery unit you will
be taken to the car in a wheel chair. You should have
your crutches in the car to help you get from the
car to your home.
Begin
taking liquids and food as soon as you can. You should
always take some solid food, a sandwich or light meal,
a little while before taking your pain medications.
We
will start you with crutches. You can discontinue
the crutches when you are comfortable without them.
It will not damage your knee to bear weight. For the
first week we want you to use a knee immobilizer when
you are walking. This is a brace which keeps your
leg straight and helps with pain and stability. You
may find that after you have been up on crutches for
a while, you may have increased pain and tightness
in your knee. That is an indication that you should
get off of your feet and get your knee above your
heart. Icing your knee may help provide some relief.
You can get up and go again when your swelling and
pain decrease. Each day you should be able to do a
little more and have to spend less time with your
leg elevated.
A
drain is put in your knee so there will be a tube
that comes out of the dressing to a canister that
collects the drainage. You will receive instructions
in the recovery room about taking care of the drain.
We will make arrangements for you to come in for drain
removal about 48 hours after your surgery.
Day
2
Things
are much the same on the second day after your surgery.
Usually you have less pain and feel like being up
more.
After
the drain has been removed, you can remove the dressings.
It is OK to shower and wash the incisions with soap
and water. There is no need to cover the incisions.
Do not soak the knee as in a bathtub. After you dry
your knee you can cover the incisions with bandaids.
You will need regular sized bandaids for the small
incisions and extra large bandaids for the longer
incisions. If you feel that the pain medication you
were given after surgery is stronger than you really
need you can reduce the dose, take it less frequently
or switch to ibuprophen or Tylenol.
We
want you to use the knee immobilizer at all times
for the first month after your surgery. Bending the
knee can stretch the PCL graft.
Approximately
Day 7
We will see you back about one week after your
surgery and remove your stitches. We will review with
you what was done in surgery and will talk about rehab
and answer any questions you may have. The next follow
up after the sutures are out will be about five or
six weeks after your surgery
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Unicompartmental
Arthroplasty
Unicompartmental Arthroplasty,
replacement of either the inner or outer half of the
knee joint, is done in the hospital. You must be admitted
to the hospital on the day of the surgery and can
expect a stay of from three to five days. When you
are discharged form the hospital arrangements will
be made for you to have a physical therapist that
comes to your home. You will be allowed to stop using
crutches or a walker when you are safe without them.
When you are home from the hospital you may shower
but should not soak the incision until after the stitches
are removed. We will see you back in the office about
two weeks after your surgery for suture removal and
to check on your progress.
Visit
the Zimmer
web site for more information.
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