Arthroscopy of the knee: rehabilitation period

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that is widely used for the diagnosis and treatment of joint injuries. Being minimally invasive and minimally traumatic, this surgical method is especially widely used in the treatment of the knee joint. These features explain the short duration of the rehabilitation period. The functions of the knee joint and limb muscles are restored quickly enough. Arthroscopy of the knee practically does not leave scars or scars. The procedure for arthroscopy of the knee joint is usually performed in a day hospital, because after the operation the patient is soon released home.

In occasion of surgery, it can be said that the surgeon produces a minimal dissection of the capsule of the knee joint, in contrast to the traditional surgical procedure. If there are no ligament injuries, then the operated limb is bandaged with an elastic bandage and immobilized for a period of 12 hours. After 5 days, the patient is allowed to load on the operated limb. After 10 days, you should start active gymnastics and swimming in the pool to restore muscle tone.

The recovery process for each patient proceeds individually. The duration and intensity of training is determined by the subjective feelings of the patient (pain), as well as the state of the wound after surgery, muscle tone and the presence of complications.

Each patient undergoes 4 phases of postoperative rehabilitation after arthroscopy of the knee joint.

1. Postoperative phase . The duration of this phase is from 1-2 days (under normal course) to 7 days (depending on the state of postoperative edema). During this period of time, the patient is prescribed two basic exercises.
   1. Take the supine position on the back. Produce extensor limb movement for 3 seconds. Perform exercises for 10 times every hour in a half-strength.
   2. Take the supine position on the back. Compress the knees hard pelot. The duration of the exercise is a maximum of 3 seconds with a frequency up to 10 times. Repeat the approach every hour.
2. The phase of early healing . The duration of the phase is up to 4 days after the operation (under normal course) or up to 10 days.
   1. Perform isometric contractions of the hip muscles in 3 series, each of which lasts 15 seconds, with an interval between each set of series in 2 hours.
   2. Carry out a slow rise of the straight limb upward and lowering down onto the bed. The frequency and frequency are the same as in step 1).
   3. Raise your leg up. Take the limb aside. Bring to the starting position. Perform the exercise 10 times with a frequency of every 2 hours.
   4. Lying down on a healthy side. Raise your leg up, lower it. Perform 10 exercises every 2 hours.
   5. Fix the ankle with the rubber harness . Perform bending and extending leg movements. The duration of one approach is 10 seconds. The interval is 3 hours.
3. The phase of late healing . The duration of the phase is up to 20 days after the operation.
   1. Ensure that the foot is bent at an angle of 30 degrees. Raise and lower the limb. 3 sets of 10 times every 3 hours.
   2. The patient's limb should be lowered onto the roller. Raise the shin, hold it in the upper position for 10 seconds. The interval between the approaches is 2 hours.
   3. Take the position sitting on a chair. To perform an unbending and bending movement in the knee joint with a weight of 1 kg, suspended to the ankle. Repeat the exercise 20 times 3 times a day.
4. Rehabilitation and recovery . The duration of the phase is up to a month from the moment of the operation.
   1. Walking on short distances.
   2. Classes in the gym.
   3. Swimming in the pool.

After the passage of these 4 phases, the operated limb, as a rule, is completely restored. Knee arthroscopy can cure a damaged limb.