Icing After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Find out what is involved.

Icing after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Reasons to have arthroscopic surgery on the knee joint include cartilage injuries meniscus tears ligament problems and a variety of other conditions. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury. You can also apply ice to your knee for about 15 minutes every few hours for the first couple of days to reduce the pain and swelling. The advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that as a minimally invasive.

To heal after arthroscopic knee surgery try to elevate your leg on pillows while resting which will help with your blood circulation. Do use ice and heat according to the american academy of orthopaedic surgeons swelling after knee surgery can last for three to six months after surgery. To help reduce inflammation and pain it s generally recommended you use an ice pack three to four times a day for about 10 20 minutes during the first few days after surgery. Your doctor might prescribe a cooling device that combines compression with cold application.

In other words icing jumpstarts healing and helps to keep you more comfortable as you recover. Orthopedic surgeons perform millions of knee scopes each year for this reason. While the post op dressing is in place application of ice should be continuous. The first night and first day following surgery you should ice as much as possible.

But not everyone finds relief of their knee pain after surgery. But if they don t work you may need surgery. Icing is huge part of cutting down pain swelling and inflammation after surgery. Ice helps with the swelling and can help to decrease pain after surgery.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a useful surgical procedure to manage and treat many common knee conditions. Once the dressing is removed on the first or second day ice is applied for 20 minute periods 3 4 times per day. Icing is very important for the first 5 7 days after surgery. Icing and compression icing the knee also known as cold therapy or cryotherapy can reduce swelling for the first few days during knee surgery recovery.

Care must be taken with ice to avoid frostbite. Most of the time rest ice and pain meds are enough to help you feel better.