Since you'll want to be comfortable, choose practical clothing with a loose fit. Sweats or loose workout pants are generally a good choice. You may want to consider wearing shorts if you're having knee surgery. Shirts or blouses with buttons in the front are easiest to put on and take off.
Your bandage may be removed 2 days following surgery. The knee should then be re-wrapped with only the elastic bandage for about 3-4 days or until swelling is gone.
You will need to wear loose fitting shorts, such as gym shorts, jogging shorts, or sweat pants the day of your surgery. These must be able to fit over the dressing on your knee and be easy for you to put on after surgery. You will need to use ice packs to help reduce swelling in your knee post-operatively.
If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months.
Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.
Complicated arthroscopic repair of a meniscus tear requires that the patient's knee be completely immobilized for 2 weeks after surgery. Followed by 2 weeks of limited motion before resuming daily activities.
Your knee will be swollen. And you may have numbness around the cuts the doctor made (incisions) on your knee. You can put ice on the knee to reduce swelling. Most of this will go away in a few days.
The toilet seat should be at least as high as the crease of the back of your knee. If it is not, get a raised toilet seat. The toilet seat should have armrests on it or you should have a vanity close on one side and/or a grab bar on the other side.
Wear Your Knee Brace
After your surgery, your doctor may give you a knee brace. Wear it! As much as you possibly can, keep your knee brace on to help keep your knee straight and prevent any unnecessary strain.
Most surgeons prefer to carry out knee replacement surgery with the aid of a tourniquet ‐ a tight band placed around the thigh that restricts blood flow to the knee.
Clothing/Hygiene: We suggest loose fitting, comfortable clothing and shoes be worn the day of your surgery. You may bring socks to wear. Do not wear contact lenses, make-up, nail polish, hairpins, or jewelry, including body piercings.
To avoid placing stress on the meniscus repair, do not bend your knee beyond 90 degrees (bent to a right angle). Brace and Crutches: Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, use crutches when walking and bear weight as tolerated on the operated leg. Wear the post-operative brace for walking.
You can walk up and down stairs. Just remember to hold onto the hand rail. You do not need crutches when walking (unless your surgeon has told you to use them). If your surgeon has told you to use crutches, follow your surgeon's instructions.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. It might help to sit on a shower stool.
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee, often injured in sports. You can't walk right after surgery. How long recovery takes depends on the type of meniscus surgery and the severity of the injury, but expect two weeks down time, at minimum.
The vast majority of patients with continued knee pain after a meniscus surgery have pain associated with the loss of articular cartilage. In these cases, the use of autologous stem cell-rich bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue is an excellent option.
If a meniscus tear is considered appropriate for an attempt at repair, a number of techniques can be used. The surgery is primarily arthroscopic (minimally invasive) although additional small incisions, or cuts, may be necessary to perform the repair. A variety of devices or sutures can be used to perform a repair.
Roll over to the “good leg” side. Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you're having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee.
Most people are able to start driving 1-2 weeks after surgery, but use your judgment as to when you feel ready and safe to drive. Crutches are required following surgery. You should not put weight on the surgical leg until otherwise instructed by physical therapy or your physician.
Use your crutches for balance. You need to sleep with your brace locked in extension for the first two weeks. You will discontinue the brace once you have full ROM and good quadriceps control. This usually occurs between 4 and 6 weeks post-op.
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
Arthroscopic meniscus repair typically takes about 40 minutes to perform, and usually you will be able to leave the hospital the same day. There are three main types of meniscus repairs. Your surgeon chooses a technique based on the location of the tear and his or her experience with the techniques.
Q: WILL I NEED TO USE CRUTCHES AFTER SURGERY? Usually, yes. Crutches are typically used for protection for a short time after surgery. Most patients are off crutches at or around the time of the first follow-up visit after surgery (2 weeks), but some may still require them at that time.