Post-Op Instructions
Knee Arthroscopy
The surgery performed on your knee was a major procedure, so plan a few days of rest. Use crutches, if necessary, but feel your way, when bearing full weight on your leg. If the knee is not too uncomfortable, please continue walking and continue your exercises at home at least four times a day.
- Straight leg raising, ten times
- Tightening your thigh muscles, ten times
- Bending your knee to the point of pain
Keep your leg elevated and use an ice pack on the knee for 30 minutes three times a day for the first day. This will help decrease swelling and pain.
Two days after surgery you may remove all the bandages. Apply band aids to the incisions. You may shower at this point. Please do not soak the stitches in the tub or swim in a pool. Change the band aids after each shower.
Some swelling and bruising of the knee is not unusual for up to several weeks. If the swelling is great and associated with worsening pain and fever or calf pain, please contact us immediately at 301-565-3301. During night and weekend times a physician will be paged to assist you.
Take your pain medication as directed. Begin the pain medication as you start to get uncomfortable but before you are in severe pain.
You may resume driving when you have full control of your leg, and are pain free.
Do not try to kneel, do deep knee bends, or walk long flights of stairs until you are seen by your surgeon post operatively.
You will be seen in our office 7- 10 days after surgery.
During your post operative visit your stitches will be removed and your knee x-rayed. The physician will discuss any physical therapy you may need at this time.
Total Knee Replacement
During your hospital stay, you will learn skills that will help you return to normal life. You will be shown how to strengthen your leg, and walk. You may begin to stand and walk within hours after surgery. A physical therapist will teach you how much weight, if any, to bear on your new joint. Physical therapy will continue at home or in a rehabilitation center following surgery for at least 2 weeks. Do not be surprised if your new joint feels a little stiff at first. Wirth practice, you will soon be able to walk with just the aid of a walker.
Your physical therapy program is likely to start with gentle exercises. You may be shown ways to increase blood flow, and control swelling. Working the quadriceps muscle (in front of your thigh) builds leg strength. This helps protect your new joint by keeping the knee more stable. Exercises also help you bear weight without pain, a goal you can work toward.
Call your surgeon if you have any of the following:
- An increase in knee pain
- Pain or swelling in the calf or leg
- Unusual redness, heat, or drainage at the incision site
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
- Fever over 101
Keep your incision clean and dry until your staples are removed. Your post operative appointment will be 2 weeks after your surgery date. During this appointment you will discuss with your surgeon how many more physical therapy sessions you will require.
Whether you are recovering at home or in a rehabilitation facility, you need to protect your new knee. For the best recovery, avoid risky moves, such as twisting your knee and high impact activities. See your surgeon for scheduled follow up visits.
Shoulder Arthoscopy
Following surgery your arm will be placed in a sling. You may remove this at home on the day of your procedure or as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. If your shoulder is not too uncomfortable, you may begin exercises immediately.
These include:
- Swinging your arm in a pendulum fashion, in front of you.
- Lying on the bed and raising your arm above your head.
- Rotating your arm out to the side with your elbow bent and held closely to your body.
Use an ice pack on your shoulder for 30 minutes three to four times a day for the first day.
Two days after surgery you may remove the bandages and place band aids over each incision. You may then begin to shower but change the band aids after each shower. Please do not soak the stitches in the tub or swim in a pool.
Take your pain medication as directed. Begin the pain medication as soon as you start to get uncomfortable but before you are in severe pain.
Please do not lift or push heavy objects until you are seen by your surgeon post operatively.
You will be seen in our office seven to ten days after surgery. Your stitches will be removed and your shoulder will be x-rayed. Further instruction will be given for your activities and rehabilitation depending upon the progress which you have made since your surgery.
Total Hip Replacement
Until it heals, your hip will have limited range of motion. To protect your new joint, keep your knees level with or below your hips when you sit.
You may begin to stand and walk within hours after surgery. You will be taught how much weight, if any, to put on your new joint.
At first some movements will put too much strain on your new joint. While in the hospital a physical therapist will teach you which movements to avoid. Physical therapy will continue at home or in a rehabilitation center following surgery for at least 2 weeks. Once you have been shown how to protect your hip, you will learn the skills needed to return to normal life. You will be taught how to walk, sit and dress.
- To sit: Back up until the edge of the chair touches your leg. Then, using the armrests to support your weight, lower yourself into the seat. Always keep your operated leg out in front.
- To pull on socks and shoes: Use a long-handled device, such as a grasper or hook. Try this with slip-on shoes first.
- To use stairs: Step up first with your good leg. Then bring your operated leg up to meet it. When going down, step down first with your operated leg.
Call your surgeon if you have any of the following:
- An increase in hip pain
- Pain or swelling in the calf or leg
- Unusual redness, heat or drainage from the incision site
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
- Fever over 101
Keep your incision clean and dry until your staples are removed. This appointment should be scheduled for 2 weeks after your procedure. During this appointment you will discuss with your surgeon how many more physical therapy sessions you will require.
Whether you are recovering at home or in a rehabilitation facility, you need to protect your new hip. Sit and move the way you were taught in the hospital. See your surgeon for follow up visits.