What to tell your healthcare provider

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen. It also includes vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. And tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have had any recent changes in your health, such as an infection or fever

• Are sensitive or allergic to any medicines, latex, tape, or anesthesia (local and general)

• Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

Tests before your surgery

Before your surgery, you may need imaging tests. These may include X-rays and MRI.      

Getting ready for your surgery

Talk with your healthcare provider about how to get ready for your surgery. You may need to stop taking some medicines before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin. If you smoke, you may need to stop before your surgery. Smoking can delay healing. Talk with your healthcare provider if you need help to stop smoking.        

Also make sure to:

• Ask a family member or friend to take you home from the hospital

• Plan some changes at home to help you recover. You may need help at home. You’ll be using crutches for several weeks.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery

• Follow all other instructions from your healthcare provider

You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if something is not clear.

On the day of your surgery

Your surgery will be done by an orthopedic surgeon. They will work with a team of specialized healthcare providers. The surgery can be done in several ways. Ask your surgeon about the details of your surgery. The whole procedure may take a couple of hours. In general, you can expect the following:

• You may have general anesthesia, a medicine that allows you to sleep through the surgery. You won’t feel any pain during the surgery. Or you will be given regional anesthesia and medicine (sedation) to make you relaxed and sleepy during the procedure.

• A healthcare provider will watch your vital signs such as your heart rate and blood pressure during the surgery. You may have a breathing tube put down your throat during the surgery to help you breathe.

• You may be given antibiotics during and after the surgery. This is to help prevent infection.

• After cleaning the affected area, the surgeon will make a small cut through the skin and muscle of your knee.

• The surgeon puts a very small camera through this incision. This is used to help guide the surgery.

• The surgeon removes any remaining meniscus with very small tools put through the incision.

• The surgeon sews the donated meniscus into the joint space with stitches. Screws or other devices may be used to hold the meniscus in place.

• The surgeon makes other repairs as needed.

• The surgeon closes the layers of skin and muscle around your knee with stitches.

After your surgery

After the procedure, you will spend several hours in a recovery room. You may be sleepy and confused when you wake up. Your healthcare team will watch your vital signs, such as your heart rate and breathing. You’ll be given pain medicine if you need it.

You may be able to go home a few hours after your surgery. Or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight. When it’s time to go home, you’ll need to have someone drive you.

Recovering at home

You may have some pain right after your surgery, but you can take pain medicines to ease the pain. The pain should quickly start to get better. You will probably need to wear a knee brace for a few weeks. You might also need to use crutches during this time. You’ll be instructed on how you can move your knee. You may need physical therapy for a few months. This is to help you keep your strength and range of motion. It may be several months before you can go back to all your normal activities.

Follow-up care

Make sure to keep all your follow-up appointments. This is so your healthcare provider can keep track of your progress. Follow all their instructions. This can help your chance for a good recovery.           

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, or as advised

• Chills

• Redness, swelling, or fluid leaking from your incision site

• Pain that’s getting worse

• Loss of feeling in your leg or foot

• Pain in your calf