General Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to inspect the inside of your knee with an arthroscope, which is a thin fiber optic scope. Surgery is performed with special instruments requiring only very small incisions while viewing through the scope.

Remember, even though the incisions are small, surgery has been performed inside the knee joint. You should expect some post-operative discomfort. Medication will be ordered to provide pain relief.

You will be able to leave the hospital after you recover from anesthesia. You may find crutch walking more comfortable for the first few weeks after surgery. You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital. Physical therapy will start three days after surgery, in most cases. You will be given a prescription at the time of your pre-op exam with Dr. Reznik.

Now that your surgery has been scheduled:

If your injury is covered by workers compensation, we must have written approval for your surgery. Please confirm this with Dr. Reznik's secretary before you do the following:

You may need a to schedule a pre-op exam with your primary care physician within 30 days of your surgery date. In general, patients over age 40 or with medical concerns need a physical exam, chest x-ray and EKG prior to surgery. Please check with Dr. Reznik or his nurse to see if this is required.

All patients are required to have current bloodwork and a urinalysis done within 30 days prior to surgery. Our secretary will mail you the necessary requisition form to bring to the lab with you.

If a pre-op exam is scheduled with your Primary Care Physician, please call Dr. Reznik's secretary, Theresa, at (203) 865-6784 to let her know the date and time of this appointment. She will then fax over the necessary paperwork your Primary Care Physician, who will need to complete and return the paperwork to our office.

Our secretary will also give you your appointments for both your pre-op and post-op visits with Dr. Reznik. Your pre-op appointment with Dr. Reznik is usually scheduled for approximately one week prior to surgery. It is during this visit that Dr. Reznik will answer any questions you may have regarding your procedure and give you all the prescriptions you need following your surgery. It is okay to fill your prescriptions prior to your surgery, BUT DO NOT START TAKING THEM UNTIL AFTER YOUR SURGERY. Your post-op visit will be scheduled for seven to ten days following your surgery.

Physical Therapy starts three or four days post-op unless otherwise indicated. You will also receive a prescription for this at your pre-op visit. Please be sure to schedule the first three to four therapy appointments while you are in the office for your pre-op appointment.

Pre-Operative Planning:

Inform your family and friends about your upcoming surgery, should you need help during your recovery.

Plan and freeze meals in advance for your recovery time. Move scatter rugs out of walking areas to avoid tripping.

Have ice bags available. Gel ice packs work well also. A large bag of frozen peas or corn wrapped in a towel works well. Have pillows available to elevate your leg as needed. Have appropriate footwear (Sneakers or comfortably fitting shoes).

Stop taking Herbal supplements, Aspirin and aspirin-like drugs such as: Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Daypro or Naprosyn, 7-10 days prior to surgery. Refer to this link.

The Day Of Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery!!

You may brush your teeth, provided you do not swallow ANY water. Remove all jewelry. Remove nail polish.

Have someone to drive you to and from the hospital. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home from your surgery.

Get your prescriptions filled before your surgery day but do not start to take until after your surgery.

Put crutches in the car.

Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes to the hospital.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them and wear glasses to the hospital.

Post-Operative Instructions

Medications: Take your medications as prescribed after surgery. If you have questions regarding your medication, please call Dr. Reznik's office at (203)-865-6784.

Fluids: Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking pain medication as it can cause constipation; Increasing your fluid intake will help prevent this problem.

Dressing/Showering: The dressing is to remain clean and dry. After 48 hours, you may remove the dressings, leaving the small yellow zeroform “steri-strips” on if present. These will be removed along with any stitches you may have, at your first post-op visit.. You may shower today. Pat the incisions dry, don't rub the scabs off. Cover each incision with a plan Band-Aid. Do not use creams or ointments on the incisions.

Ice: Use ice bags for 24-48 hours post-op to reduce pain and swelling. Alternate 20 min. on and 10 min.off. Never place ice bag directly on skin as this can cause frostbite, always wrap ice in a towel.

Elevation: When resting in bed after surgery place 2-3 pillows under effected leg and elevate slightly above heart level, this will help reduce swelling.

Blood Clots: Patients at high risk for blood clots include:

- Those with long car or train commutes
- May be overweight (*BMI > 30)
- Have a history of having cancer
- Females on birth control pills
- Males over the age of 40 

These patients should be taking 1 aspirin per day for 6 weeks after surgery unless allergic to aspirin.

*BMI or body mass index is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body composition. The index is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems: BMI

Stop smoking: Smoking slows the healing process by interfering with the making of new DNA. Smoking also increases the risk of infection and pneumonia after surgery by slowing your body's white blood cells.

Deep Breathing: Be sure to regularly take a deep breath and blow it out. This helps to clear the lungs after anesthesia.

Call Dr. Reznik immediately if you develop a fever, experience stomach upset, or notice excessive redness, warmth, or swelling at surgical site or if you have excessive bleeding or odorous drainage from surgical site.

Driving: You may not resume driving until you are seen by the physician.

Copyright © 2005, TOG All rights reserved.

Revised 1/12/09