Arthroscopy is a medical procedure where a doctor can diagnose and then treat joint problems using a fiber-optic camera. To do this, a surgeon would insert a narrow tube which is attached to the camera, into a very small incision almost as small as a buttonhole. The camera then would transmit what it sees inside to a high-definition video monitor.
This procedure is highly effective with very minimal risks since the surgeon wouldn’t have to make a big incision to see or treat joint issues. Not only that, a patient would also be able to regain function and motion of the damaged joint without having a replacement. Patient is expected to take care of it at home with a list of do’s and don’ts after arthroscopic surgery and here they are.
Preparing Yourself Before the Surgery
Before we get into the things to do and don’t do after the surgery, you also need to know several things you could do to prepare yourself before the procedure. The first thing to do is to have a consultation with your doctor. In this consultation, you might be told to avoid certain medicines or supplements and also to fast before the procedure, depending on what kind of anesthesia you would get.
Another thing to prepare is how you’re going to do your daily activities after the surgery since it would be difficult. If you live alone, make sure that you ask any of your close friends or family members to assist you in doing daily activities such as dressing or preparing meals since you wouldn’t be able to use your joint yet after a few days of surgery.
Things to Do
Here are some important things to do after you have your arthroscopic surgery.
Take It Easy
It is extremely important that you take a proper amount of time to rest after the surgery. Once you get home, you would feel some discomfort and even pain. So, it is vital for you to avoid any kind of physical activity that requires you to use your joints in a strenuous way. Your physical therapist would show you how to use your joint gently without damaging your still healing joint, so make sure to follow it properly.
Take Your Medicine
After your surgery, your doctor would prescribe you your medication to help you relieve some pain and discomfort, and also to help your joint heal faster. You would also get some antibiotics to make sure there’s no infection developing after your surgery. Make sure you take your medication exactly how your doctor prescribed.
Ice Your Joint
Not only by moving it gently and medication, your doctor would usually also suggest you to do a cold therapy for your healing joint. You might have to do this a couple of times each day to help reduce some swelling and also pain. To do this, you need to use a towel to wrap the ice, make sure you never apply the ice directly to your skin.
Follow the Instructions on Daily Activities
After the surgery, your doctor would tell you when and how to start moving your joint. You will usually be advised to use your joint quite right away to prevent any stiffness and also to advance the healing process. But you need to do this gently, as your doctor suggested. Your activity levels would increase slowly as your joint heals.
Pay Attention to Your Incision Wound
After any surgery, it is extremely important to pay great attention to your incision wound. Make sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take care of it. If you see that your wound starts to turn red or swell, those are common signs of infections so make sure you contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
Thing Not to Do
Here’s some things not to do in do’s and don’ts after arthroscopic surgery.
Don’t Ignore Pain
After surgery it is totally normal to have some discomfort or even pain in the affected area. But the pain would be bearable and the medication given by your doctor should be enough to solve it. But if you feel pain that is different and unbearable, make sure you contact your doctor about it. If you see any redness or swelling in your joint area after the surgery, also contact your doctor as those are the signs of an infection.
Don’t Put Weight on the Joint
For the first few days after surgery, your doctor would advise you to not put any weight on the affected joint. Make sure you follow this instruction properly as this measure is needed to ensure that your joint starts the healing process and also to prevent any further damage that could lead to more severe joint issues and problems.
Don’t Neglect Your Wound Care
While it heals, the incision area would need some care and attention after the surgery. You need to keep the incision wound clean and dry all the time and change the bandages regularly as your doctor instructed. Make sure you don’t neglect this since it could lead to infection. If you don’t have the skills, you could ask for help from your friends or family members to take care of your wound.
Don’t Forget to Go Back to the Hospital for Follow-Ups
After your surgery, you would be asked to come back to the hospital regularly by your orthopedic surgeon. Don’t forget to do this since it’s important so your doctor could physically check your healing progress and make sure that you are recovering as intended and don’t have any further damage or infection on the incision wound.
There you go, the list of dos and don’ts after arthroscopic surgery. If you live in Bali and need this procedure, BIMC Hospital in Nusa Dua would be an excellent place to go. Go to the hospital’s website at https://bimcbali.com/bimc-siloam-nusa-dua to book your appointments with an orthopedic.
