What to Expect Following Knee Arthroscopy: Recovery and Return to Work
Knee arthroscopy is generally a quicker recovery than open knee surgery, but patients often still have questions about what the first days and weeks actually involve.
The Day of Surgery
Knee arthroscopy is usually performed as a day case, meaning most patients go home the same day. The knee is typically covered with a light dressing over the small keyhole incisions, and a bulky bandage. You may be given crutches, though many patients can bear weight relatively quickly depending on what was done during the procedure.
The First Few Days
The bulky bandage is usually removed after 2 days. Some swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the knee is normal in the first few days. Resting with the leg elevated, applying ice as advised, and taking prescribed pain relief as needed all help manage this early period.
Simple movement exercises are often started early, sometimes from day one, to prevent stiffness and support circulation, guided by instructions from the surgical team or a physiotherapist.
The First Two Weeks
Most patients see swelling and discomfort steadily improve over the first one to two weeks. A follow-up appointment is often arranged during this window to check the wound and progress. Return to light activity, including many desk-based jobs, is often possible within this timeframe, though this varies depending on exactly what was treated during your arthroscopy.
Returning to Work
For a straightforward diagnostic or minor arthroscopy, some patients return to desk-based work within a week or so. If more significant work was done — such as meniscal repair rather than trimming — recovery and return to work may take longer, sometimes several weeks, to protect the repair while it heals.
Physically demanding jobs involving standing, walking, or manual work typically need a longer period off, and Mr George will give you a realistic, personalised estimate based on your specific procedure and job.
Returning to Sport and Exercise
Gentle activity like walking and cycling is often reintroduced within the first few weeks, with higher-impact sport and twisting activities typically introduced more gradually, guided by physiotherapy and how the knee is responding. Rushing back too early is one of the more common causes of setbacks.
When to Seek Advice
Increasing pain, swelling, redness or warmth around the wound, or fever should be reported to the practice promptly. While most arthroscopy recoveries are straightforward, it's always better to check something unexpected early rather than waiting.
Every arthroscopy is slightly different depending on what's found and treated during the procedure, so Mr George will give you specific guidance for your recovery, rather than a generic timeline.
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