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Arthroscopy Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Arthroscopy is a type of surgery to check for and treat joint problems. A joint is a part of the body where two bones meet. The doctor puts a small tube with a tiny camera on the end into the joint. This is called an arthroscope. The doctor uses it to see pictures of the joint inside your body. This helps your doctor to find out what the problem is in the joint. Then, the doctor can pass tiny instruments into the joint to fix the problem. It is often done in the knee and shoulder. It may also be done of the hip, ankle, elbow, or wrist. It is done to: ‚  
  • Find an injury or problem inside a joint
  • Repair tendons and ligaments in your joint
  • Take out bone and cartilage fragments
  • Remove the joint lining that may be swollen or inflamed


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Prop your painful part on pillows to help with swelling.
  • Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, exercising, or driving
  • Wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor may suggest physical therapy or exercises to build muscle strength, increase motion, and help you to recover faster.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Prevent infection
  • Prevent blood clots

Will physical activity be limited?


You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Blood clots
  • Nerve and blood vessel injury
  • Joint stiffness
  • Ongoing pain

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Increased numbness or tingling
  • Too much pain that is not helped by drugs you are taking
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound or numbness or tingling.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚  
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00109 ‚  
Better Health Channel ‚  
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Arthroscopy ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthroscopy/pages/introduction.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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