Can You Walk After a Knee Arthroscopy?

Beautiful woman smiling on beach. Happy people lifestyle. Woman smiling in sunset with arms outstretched. Nature lifestyle. Happiness. Lifestyle. Concept of happy lifestyle. Happy people. Happy young woman in vacation. Happiness concept. Young people.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that may be performed to help diagnose or treat various conditions that affect the knee joint, which is the largest and arguably most complex joint in the body. This surgery involves inserting an arthroscope—a long, thin instrument with a lighted camera at the end—into the joint space through a very small incision. One of the most notable advantages of knee arthroscopy is its relatively brief recovery period; when compared to traditional open knee surgeries, arthroscopies are associated with less post-operative pain and a faster return to regular activities. This begs the question: Can you walk after a knee arthroscopy?

The answer to this question isn’t a straightforward one. A knee arthroscopy may be recommended for several reasons, and how fast a person can return to walking will depend on the health of the patient and why the surgery is being performed (for example, some surgeries just involve viewing the inside of the knee joint, while others entail repairing ligaments or removing loose cartilage).

With that said, many patients are encouraged to walk with the assistance of a mobility aid (such as crutches or a cane) very shortly after their knee arthroscopy. In fact, walking actually plays a key role in the healing process by promoting blood flow to the injured area. In some cases, a patient can bear weight on the affected leg and carefully walk as soon as the anesthesia wears off. Most patients can walk comfortably without an aid in a week or so.

Knee Arthroscopy Recovery Tips

The most important knee arthroscopy recovery tip is to follow your orthopedic surgeon’s post-operative instructions to the letter. While some patients can walk immediately after surgery, this isn’t the case for everyone. Your surgeon will likely also provide guidance regarding:

  • Exercise – You may be instructed to attend physical therapy or perform simple exercises at home, such as ankle pumps or heel slides. If walking or any other exercise becomes painful, stop immediately and contact your surgeon.
  • Incision care – The incision site must remain clean and dry after surgery, so you may need to wait two or three days to shower. Avoid sitting in a bathtub, as this can soak the incision and cause complications.
  • Diet – Be sure to stay hydrated after surgery and consider switching to a bland diet of plain rice, toast, and grilled chicken if your stomach becomes upset.

Knee Arthroscopy at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group

Knee arthroscopy is a specialty of Dr. Daniel Murphy—a board-certified orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group. In collaboration with sports medicine specialist Dr. Arnold Ramirez, Dr. Murphy routinely helps patients recover from knee injuries and degenerative conditions through advanced surgical techniques and conservative therapies.

Contact Tampa Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Group today at (813) 253-2406 to schedule an appointment at our center on Howard Avenue in South Tampa. We accept most health insurance plans and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.