Dr. Steve Mora MD, Post-Op Information
for Knee Arthroscopy
The abnormal findings were:___________________________________and
the procedure performed
was:_________________________________________________________________
Bandages/Wound care:
Remove bandages on Friday or _______. Wash your hands
first.
Leave the skin strips on.
It is OK to shower Friday. After the shower, dry off the incisions
with a clean dry towel and then redress with band-aids and the ACE wrap. Do not submerge
(bath, jacuzzi) the surgical site for 2 weeks after the surgery. As long
as the wounds are open or moist they must be covered with gauze or band-aids.
Post-op
BLOCK of the whole leg after ACL surgery: It is normal for the whole
leg including the toes to be numb for up to 1-2 days. Use crutches as long
as the block is in effect. Your leg cannot support you the first 24 hours.
Activity: You should REST by limiting your standing and walking the first 3 days.
Crutches following ACL reconstruction are used for 3 weeks.
Cane
after simple scopes are used on the opposite hand for 7 days even if you don't
think you need it. The
PT
will begin within 1-2 weeks after surgery and will be ordered on your first
visit. Start your home exercises the night of
surgery and do daily. Apply full
weight on your leg.
Driving may
begin once you are able to safely steer and shift safely and without pain.
This could take up to 2-4 weeks.
Work: Return to a sedentary job (office)
7 days after surgery and physically hard jobs after 2 weeks for simple
scopes and after 4-6 weeks for ACL surgery.
Swelling is undesirable.
If you have a Cold Therapy Unit use it as much as
possible.
Apply ice packs for 30 minutes, remove for 30 minutes then
repeat 5 times a day, continue for next 5 days.
Medication: One
anti-inflammatory drug (Celebrex, Naprosyn, Voltaren) can be taken 1 wk
after surgery. Tyl ES may be taken anytime. Stop
these medications immediately and alert us if you experience stomach pain or
your bowel movements turn black.
Vicodin, Hydrocodone or other narcotics are taken for severe pain only “as needed”.
Narcotics cause drowsiness and
therefore should not be taken while driving a car. They also cause
constipation so drink lots of water, prune juice or over the counter stool
softeners.
Please call
Dr. Mora if: The
incision turns red and start to drain cloudy fluid (small amount of drainage the first week is normal). Unrelenting
Pain. It is normal to have a low grade fever (under 100.0) the first 3 days
after surgery. Call if Fever more than
101.0 F). Although it is normal to have a moderate
amount of calf, ankle, and foot swelling after knee surgery a massive amount
may not be. Nausea and
vomiting can also be normal the first 2 days after surgery. It is OK
to take over the counter nausea medicine.
You should proceed to the nearest
emergency room if: You experience a rapid fast paced heart-rate, chest pain,
unrelenting pain or difficulty catching your breath. Dr. Mora is usually available
over the phone. Ask
specifically
for him when going through the office
operator.
