Rehabilitation

Arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most common, most successful and safest orthopaedic surgical procedures undertaken. The procedure is often undertaken as a day case procedure resulting in a rapid return to work, activity and sport. Arthroscopic surgery usually requires you to be in hospital for only 8-10 hours. Arthroscopic surgery, compared to open surgery, causes very little disturbance to the joint and consequently the post-operative discomfort is much less. While the degree of discomfort felt is variable, in general only slight pain will be experienced for a few days. This will not prevent you driving after a few days. I f your job is sedentary and mostly sitting you may wish to return after only a few days. If your job is physically demanding and requires lifting, your return to work may take up to 3-6 weeks. Driving can usually be performed after 2 to 5 days providing that the knee is pain free and you are able to control the car. Light weight training may be undertaken after several weeks. Exercises and gym training will speed up the rehabilitation and should be performed prior to undertaking more vigorous sports.

The first follow up appointment following surgery is usually arranged for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Physiotherapy should be started soon after surgery, usually 3-5 days later and continued 2-3 times a week for 2-6 weeks depending on the individual patient's progress.

Knee replacement and uni-compartmental replacement may be undertaken by minimally invasive techniques. This may result in a rapid rehabilitation, walking on the first post-operative day and discharge in 3 - 5 days following surgery in some patients. The use of these techniques is associated with less post-operative pain and stiffness, early discharge from hospital and an early return to activities.

After hospital discharge regular physiotherapy is helpful two to three times a week. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medication may be required if the knee is painful or swollen over the first few weeks.

How to make an Appointment

Contact us directly:
An appointment may be booked directly though Miss Jane Woodhead, Mr. Johnson's secretary by telephoning (44) 0117 970 6655 or via our e-mail contact form.

Appointments by referal::
Where a referal is from your GP or physiotherapist a letter will ususally be provided including the details of any previous treatment recieved or other relevant medical details.

Useful information to bring to your appointment:
It is helpful if any previous X-rays or scans which are available are brought to the consultation, and the general practitioner may wish to provide the details of previous treatment received and other medical conditions.

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+ Early Arthritis of the Knee - see all links

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