Arthroscopic knee surgery and its recovery time

Overview

Recovery time post any surgery varies depending on the circumstances of each individual. Age, the level of injury, health status, and the ability and commitment to complete physical therapy will all have an impact on healing time. However, it is critical to understand that feeling better may take months.

Similar is the case with Arthroscopic Knee Surgery.

Arthroscopic knee repair is a minimally invasive surgery that results in less bleeding, faster healing times, and less damage. It is frequently used when ACL reconstruction and meniscus tear repairs are performed together.

What is Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Knee arthroscopy, also known as knee scoping, is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to operate knee conditions or injuries. It is done with the help of an arthroscope, which is a tiny surgical instrument with a light and camera on the end that is inserted into the knee. These openings allow the doctor to insert tiny surgical tools as needed into the area. The surgeon can repair torn ligaments, remove a torn or damaged meniscus, remove loose bone fragments, and perform other treatments using the images from the arthroscope as a guide.

Arthroscopy is also sometimes used by orthopedic surgeons to diagnose various knee conditions. This procedure is recommended if a patient’s pain is not responding to non-surgical treatments such as medications or cortisone injections.

While most patients are able to walk after a same-day arthroscopic surgery, full recovery may take weeks or months.

Here’s what you need to know about Arthroscopic Knee Surgery recovery time:

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for ACL ligament reconstruction – Recovery Timeline

For healthy, active patients, full recovery from ACL reconstruction takes 6-9 months on average. Surgical recovery takes 6-8 weeks. Your recovery will include a rehabilitation program to restore your range of motion, strengthen muscles, and regain balance. Swelling and stiffness are possible side effects for patients.

Patients are discharged from the hospital with crutches and a brace, as well as a prescription for pain medication. Medication may be required for up to two weeks. Within a week of the surgery, rehabilitation begins.

The total recovery time for an ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair is 12-16 weeks and may vary depending on various factors.

If the patient works at a desk job, they may be able to return to work seven days after surgery. If the patient’s job demands a lot of standing, they should wait until 4-6 weeks after surgery to return.

Regarding resuming sports activities, the surgeon and the arthroscopic knee surgery healing time will determine when you can do so.

Arthroscopic Knee surgery for a torn meniscus – Recovery Timeline

Arthroscopic surgery is a common procedure used to remove all or part of a torn meniscus. Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus is carried out as an outpatient procedure on the same day, using local or regional anesthesia.

The majority of the pain will be relieved fairly quickly after an uncomplicated meniscectomy, but swelling and stiffness will take time to resolve. Full recovery may take 4-5 months. Immediately following surgery, the patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking. The patient will need crutches for 2-7 days following surgery. Rehabilitation to achieve full ROM should take 1-2 weeks. For the first 4-6 weeks, heavy work or sports may be prohibited.

For patients with low-impact jobs, the arthroscopic knee operation recovery time is about 1-2 weeks, after which they can return to their respective jobs, drive 4-6 weeks later, and resume heavy work or sports 3-6 months later.

Also Read: Top 5 mistakes after knee replacement 

Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for articular cartilage injury repair – Recovery Timeline

The cartilage at the ends of the bones is known as articular cartilage. Trauma or normal wear and tear can both cause damage. Arthroscopy is used to remove loose cartilage fragments. A microfracture procedure creates tiny holes in the bone marrow of the damaged cartilage to bring up new cartilage.

The joint must be protected after surgery while the cartilage heals. Weight-bearing is not permitted for the first few weeks following surgery. Continuous passive movement therapy, which constantly moves the joint through its range of motion, may be used in physical therapy to restore mobility. Rehabilitation focuses on joint and muscle strengthening.

Post-surgery Care

Follow-up Sessions

Your knee arthroscopy recovery begins the moment you leave the operating room. One of the first things you should do is make a follow-up appointment with your surgeon within one week of your knee arthroscopy.

Appointments are frequently more frequent in the first few weeks of your knee arthroscopy recovery, with more time between subsequent visits as the process progresses.

Physical Therapy

After your arthroscopic knee surgery, our surgeon will refer you to a certified physical therapist who will evaluate you and chart out a treatment plan to support you in alleviating your pain and improve your knee range of motion, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glute muscle strength, and ability to walk, gain back your balance, go up and down stairs, bend and squat, and resume sports and other forms of exercise.

Physical therapy is usually started three times a week for 4 to 6 weeks during your knee arthroscopy recovery. Your physical therapist will communicate and coordinate care with your healthcare provider to determine if you require additional visits once the initial frequency has been met.

Also Read: How to reduce swelling after knee surgery?

Looking for a fast and efficient one-day recovery from an Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Consult our knee specialist Dr. Muthana Sartawi

There are several stages to recovering from a knee replacement.

Planning your knee replacement procedure with the assistance of a professional is critical to making your journey easier. In Central Illinois and the Middle East, Dr. Muthana Sartawi pioneered one-day joint replacement surgery.

He has performed approximately 1,000 total knee replacement surgeries with a 98% success rate using his innovative approach. His method has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Besides, he is a highly experienced knee specialist surgeon who understands the importance of proper recovery post arthroscopic knee surgery and has helped many patients recover from their procedure successfully. He provides detailed information on what to expect during the post-operative period so that his patients can be well-informed and prepared for any probable issues that may arise during their recovery process.

Schedule an appointment today.