Recovery After Knee Arthroscopy

A meniscus tear can cause locking, catching, buckling, and instability.  The meniscus is a C-shaped fibro-cartilage that acts as a cushion on the medial and lateral (inside and outside) part of the knee.   As you age, the meniscus becomes more susceptible to degenerative tearing.  Unlike knee pain from arthritis, the discomfort from a torn meniscus often is not relieved by anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections.   Often arthroscopic surgery can be very effective in treating a torn meniscus.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you go home the same day as the surgery.  If the torn meniscus is removed, crutches are needed for only a few days after surgery.    However, if the meniscus is repaired it may be several weeks before full weight bearing is allowed.   Narcotic pain medications such as Percocet or Vicodin are typically used for only a few days.   After about a week, most people are walking without crutches and not taking any pain medications.   Do not expect to be back running in a week, however.  The knee is not 100% better immediately after surgery and it takes time to return to full activities.

After surgery, the incision should be kept clean and dry.  Showers are usually allowed but no baths.  Stay away from pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans for the first 2-3 weeks until the sutures are removed and the incision is healed.   Call your doctor immediately if the knee becomes red and swollen, or if you have more pain in your calf than you do in your knee.

Recovery after knee arthroscopy can be more difficult if there is some arthritis in the knee.   Arthritis pain can be aggravated by surgery.   Mild pain and swelling can persist for 6-12 weeks.     Steroid injections are sometimes used post operatively to help treat swelling and inflammation. Ice and anti-inflammatory medications can also be used.   Physical therapy is often helpful post operatively to diminish inflammation and improve strength.

It is important to realize that knee surgery will not restore your knee to the way it felt when you were younger.   If you have torn the meniscus badly enough to require surgery, you may continue to have intermittent problems with that knee as a result of that injury.    The goal of arthroscopic knee surgery is to remove the pain and mechanical symptoms of locking and catching caused by the torn meniscus.   If you have arthritis, this surgery will not take away the pain which is caused by arthritis.   You should also not expect the pain relief to be instantaneous.  It can take 3-6 months to fully recover from surgery.  Good to excellent results are expected in 95 % of patients without knee arthritis, and in 65% of patients with arthritis.   With proper rehabilitation, knee arthroscopy can provide excellent relief of knee pain caused by a torn meniscus.