Recovery from arthroscopic knee repair surgery
Recovery times vary based on individual circumstances. Age, injury, health status, and ability and commitment to follow through with physical therapy will affect healing time. However, it is important to understand that it can take many months to feel better. Arthroscopic knee repair in minimally invasive surgery uses local or spinal anesthesia, small incisions, and offers less bleeding with faster healing times and less soft tissue damage. Arthroscopy is often an outpatient procedure. ACL reconstruction and meniscus tear repairs are often performed together, arthroscopically. Orthopedic Specialists Dr. Nandan Rao is experts in arthroscopic knee procedures.
Arthroscopic ACL Ligament Reconstruction
On average, full recovery from ACL reconstruction is 6 to 9 months for active, healthy patients. Surgical healing takes 6 to 8 weeks. A rehabilitation program to restore range of motion, strengthen muscles, and regain balance will be part of your recovery. Patents can expect swelling and stiffness.
Patients go home immediately after surgery with crutches and a brace, plus a prescription for pain relievers. Medications may be needed for 2-3 weeks. Rehabilitation begins one week after surgery.
Crutches will be used until the patient can walk without limping with the repaired knee, which takes about 2 weeks after surgery. The knee will be swollen for 2-3 months. Patients will be instructed on the use of ice to reduce swelling.
If the meniscus is also torn and repaired at the same time, crutches will be needed for a longer period. The total recovery time for an ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair is 12 to 16 weeks and varies with each individual.
Patients can drive after pain relievers, but when the right knee is affected, the patient must wait 4 to 6 weeks before resuming driving.
If the patient has a desk job, they may be able to return 7 days after surgery. However, if their work requires a long time on their feet, the patient should wait to return until 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Resuming sports will depend on the type of repair, and your surgeon will determine when sports can be resumed.
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)
Arthroscopic surgery to remove all or part of the torn meniscus is a common surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is same-day outpatient surgery under local or regional anesthesia.
An uncomplicated meniscectomy will resolve most of the pain fairly quickly, but swelling and stiffness take time to resolve. It may take 4 to 5 months for it to heal completely. The patient must be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking immediately after surgery. Crutches will be needed for 2-7 days after surgery. Rehabilitation to gain full ROM should occur within 1-2 weeks. Heavy work or sports may be restricted for the first 4-6 weeks.
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 movement before resuming daily activities. Physical therapy begins immediately after surgery. The patient must be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking immediately after surgery with a brace.
Arthroscopic repair of articular cartilage injury
Articular cartilage is the cartilage at the end of bones. Damage can occur from trauma or normal wear and tear. Arthroscopy is used to remove loose pieces of cartilage. A microfracture procedure makes small holes in the bone marrow from damaged cartilage to make new cartilage.
After surgery, the joint must be protected while the cartilage heals. Weight bearing is not allowed for the first few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy to restore mobility may include continuous passive motion therapy that moves the joint through ROM constantly. Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening the joints and muscles.
Patellar tendon tears
The patellar tendon attaches to the knee muscles to help you stretch your leg. Small tears can affect quality of life and cause difficulty walking, but they usually do not require surgery. Rather, the patient will wear a brace and do physical therapy for 3-6 weeks while the tendon heals.
Surgical options are arthroscopic surgery or completely open surgery. Larger tears and ruptures are disabling injuries and generally require open surgery to regain full function of the knee.
The surgery can be an outpatient procedure or a short hospital stay, under spinal or general anesthesia. Rehabilitation begins on the table in the operating room. Immediately after surgery, the patient will need pain management and ice applications to reduce swelling. 2 weeks after surgery, the stitches or staples will be removed.
Arthroscopic ACL Ligament Reconstruction
On average, full recovery from ACL reconstruction is 6 to 9 months for active, healthy patients. Surgical healing takes 6 to 8 weeks. A rehabilitation program to restore range of motion, strengthen muscles, and regain balance will be part of your recovery. Patents can expect swelling and stiffness.
Patients go home immediately after surgery with crutches and a brace, plus a prescription for pain relievers. Medications may be needed for 2-3 weeks. Rehabilitation begins one week after surgery.
Crutches will be used until the patient can walk without limping with the repaired knee, which takes about 2 weeks after surgery. The knee will be swollen for 2-3 months. Patients will be instructed on the use of ice to reduce swelling.
If the meniscus is also torn and repaired at the same time, crutches will be needed for a longer period. The total recovery time for an ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair is 12 to 16 weeks and varies with each individual.
Patients can drive after pain relievers, but when the right knee is affected, the patient must wait 4 to 6 weeks before resuming driving.
If the patient has a desk job, they may be able to return 7 days after surgery. However, if their work requires a long time on their feet, the patient should wait to return until 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Resuming sports will depend on the type of repair, and your surgeon will determine when sports can be resumed.
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)
Arthroscopic surgery to remove all or part of the torn meniscus is a common surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is same-day outpatient surgery under local or regional anesthesia.
An uncomplicated meniscectomy will resolve most of the pain fairly quickly, but swelling and stiffness take time to resolve. It may take 4 to 5 months for it to heal completely. The patient must be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking immediately after surgery. Crutches will be needed for 2-7 days after surgery. Rehabilitation to gain full ROM should occur within 1-2 weeks. Heavy work or sports may be restricted for the first 4-6 weeks.
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 movement before resuming daily activities. Physical therapy begins immediately after surgery. The patient must be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking immediately after surgery with a brace.
Arthroscopic repair of articular cartilage injury
Articular cartilage is the cartilage at the end of bones. Damage can occur from trauma or normal wear and tear. Arthroscopy is used to remove loose pieces of cartilage. A microfracture procedure makes small holes in the bone marrow from damaged cartilage to make new cartilage.
After surgery, the joint must be protected while the cartilage heals. Weight bearing is not allowed for the first few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy to restore mobility may include continuous passive motion therapy that moves the joint through ROM constantly. Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening the joints and muscles.
Patellar tendon tears
The patellar tendon attaches to the knee muscles to help you stretch your leg. Small tears can affect quality of life and cause difficulty walking, but they usually do not require surgery. Rather, the patient will wear a brace and do physical therapy for 3-6 weeks while the tendon heals.
Surgical options are arthroscopic surgery or completely open surgery. Larger tears and ruptures are disabling injuries and generally require open surgery to regain full function of the knee.
The surgery can be an outpatient procedure or a short hospital stay, under spinal or general anesthesia. Rehabilitation begins on the table in the operating room. Immediately after surgery, the patient will need pain management and ice applications to reduce swelling. 2 weeks after surgery, the stitches or staples will be removed.
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