The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine reports that over 4 million arthroscopic knee surgeries are performed annually. Surgeons make several small incisions around the knee that allow different surgical instruments, including a camera, to be inserted into the joint to allow surgeons to view the inside of the knee on a monitor. Rehabilitation protocols and recovery times vary depending on the type of your surgical procedure.
Considerations
Knee arthroscopy is often performed to fix meniscus tears, cartilage damage and ligament tears. Depending on which of these surgeries you have had, your surgeon may have different rehabilitation protocols that may limit or delay the introduction of certain activities, including range of motion exercises. Consult with your surgeon or a physical therapist familiar with these protocols to insure that you optimize your recovery.
Knee Range of Motion
Your knee bending, or flexion, and straightening, or extension, should be restored after arthroscopic surgery. Compare your post-operative knee range of motion to the unaffected knee to help you determine what your "normal" motion goals should be. There is variability between individuals in the amount of bending and straightening available in the knee joint. Perform range of motion exercises several times per day, or as often as your doctor or physical therapist recommends.
Flexion
Work on knee bending by lying on your back with your legs straight on a bed or the floor. Slowly slide the heel of your involved knee toward your buttocks. Keep the intensity of pain or stiffness at a moderate level. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, and repeat 10 times in each set. To include a thigh stretch in your range of motion work, stand in front of a chair, facing away from it. Place the foot of your affected leg on the chair behind you, allowing your knee to bend. Stand tall, and press the buttock of this leg forward. Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds, and repeat three to five times.
Extension
Lying on your back, support the heel of your effected leg up on a rolled towel or foam roll exerciser to allow your knee to stretch into normal hyperextension. Hold this stretch for one to two minutes at a moderate intensity. Another option is to lie on your stomach with your legs, from your knees down, over the edge of the bed or table. Allow gravity to work your knee into a straightened position by relaxing your hamstrings. For a more intense stretch, add a small ankle weight to your involved knee. Hold for one to two minutes at a moderate intensity.
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