After Knee Arthroscopy: A Week-by-Week Recovery Guide

Knee arthroscopy is a keyhole operation: the surgeon looks inside the joint through small cuts with a tiny camera and can treat some problems at the same time, for example by trimming a torn meniscus. Because the cuts are small, recovery is often quicker than after open surgery. Still, how fast you get back on your feet depends a lot on what was done inside the knee. This guide describes a typical course after a simple procedure. Your surgeon's instructions always come first, and recovery varies from person to person.

First, find out what was done

Ask your surgeon or read your discharge papers to find out exactly what was done during the operation. A purely diagnostic arthroscopy or the trimming of a small piece of meniscus usually heals much faster than a meniscus repair or a ligament reconstruction. After a repair or reconstruction there is often a separate plan with a brace, limited weight on the leg and a longer physiotherapy program. In that case, follow that plan rather than the general timeline below. You can read more about the meniscus in our article on meniscus problems.

The first days

• rest with the leg raised on a pillow, with the heel higher than the knee,
• many hospitals advise against a pillow directly under the knee for hours, because the knee should be able to straighten fully,
• cool the knee if your doctor recommends it, with the cold pack wrapped in a cloth and never directly on the skin,
• keep the dressing clean and dry and follow the instructions for showering,
• use crutches if you were given them and put only as much weight on the leg as you have been allowed,
• move the ankle up and down often and gently tighten the thigh muscles to keep the circulation going.

Some pain, swelling and stiffness are normal in this period. Take pain relief only as advised by your doctor.

The first week

After a simple procedure, many people walk short distances around the home by the end of the first week, some still with one crutch. The exercises from the hospital or physiotherapist become the most important part of the day: a little, often and without forcing. The stitches or wound strips are usually checked or removed after roughly one to two weeks.

Weeks two and three

Walking usually becomes more natural, and the knee bends and straightens more easily. Many people with desk jobs return to work in this period, while physical work often needs more time. Swelling after a longer day on your feet is still common. Cooling or gentle warmth can help, depending on what feels good, as explained in our article on heat or cold for knee pain.

Weeks four to six

Many people are back to most everyday activities. Stairs, longer walks and cycling often feel easier. Running, jumping or contact sports are a separate decision that you make together with your surgeon or physiotherapist, usually only when the knee is no longer swollen and the muscles are strong again.

Contact your doctor if

• the small wounds become red, hot or leak fluid,
• you develop a fever,
• the calf becomes swollen, painful or warm,
• swelling or pain gets clearly worse instead of better,
• you suddenly feel short of breath or have chest pain, in which case call emergency services.

A knee sleeve after arthroscopy

A knee sleeve is never worn over fresh wounds. When the small cuts have fully healed and your surgeon agrees, a soft sleeve can give the knee pleasant warmth and a sense of support, for example on the first longer walks or when you start exercising again. It does not replace physiotherapy or a brace that has been prescribed. Read more in our article on wearing a knee sleeve after surgery.

If you want a sleeve that is soft enough for those first longer walks, take a look at our bamboo knee sleeve.

A sleeve you will actually wear

The best sleeve is the one that does not end up in a drawer. The KeenTrove Bamboo Knee Sleeve is made for exactly that:

• soft, breathable bamboo, comfortable even in summer
• fits snugly but does not dig in behind the knee
• does not lock the knee, so you move naturally
• wear it under your clothes during the day and in bed at night

With 60 days to get your money back, you have nothing to lose.

See the bamboo knee sleeve →

Note: this article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a doctor. If you have circulation problems or diabetes, or have recently had knee surgery, talk to your doctor before wearing compression.