Knee Osteochondral Allograft Post-Operative Instructions

1. After you get home, apply ice to your knee but keep the bandages dry. You may apply ice for 15-20 minutes out of every hour for the next few days. Ice helps to reduce pain and swelling.
2. Elevate your leg on 2-3 pillows or rolled up towels placed under the heel so that the heel is elevated higher than your knee. This will help reduce swelling and achieve full extension of the knee.
3. It is important to get up and move around after your surgery. It’s good for your lungs after anesthesia, and also good for your circulation to help prevent blood clots from developing. However, too much walking will cause the knee to swell and hurt.
4. Keep the ACE bandages on until you have a post-operative check-up.
5. You may shower, but the incisions and ACE bandages and Brace must not get wet until you have a post-operative check-up.
6. Weight-Bearing Status: You are to be NON-WEIGHT BEARING on your operative leg. When walking, the brace must be worn and locked in full extension. Use the crutches at ALL TIMES.
7. Take the pain medicine as needed. You may take up to 2 tablets every 3-4 hours if needed. As the pain subsides try to increase the time between doses.
8. Your first post-operative check-up with Dr. Wright or John Duffy, PA-C should be within 7-10 days from the day of surgery
9. It is normal to have some discomfort and swelling, as well as a small amount of blood-tinged drainage, following surgery. If this becomes severe, or if you develop a fever greater than or equal to 101 degrees, calf pain, or shortness of breath or chest pain, please call immediately. If you have questions or problems, call the office at 724-720-3072.

NORMAL SENSATIONS AND FINDINGS AFTER SURGERY

1. Shin pain
2. Knee swelling and warmth up to 2 weeks
3. Small amounts of bloody drainage
4. Numbness around the incision area
5. Soreness and swelling in the back of the knee
6. Bruising to the lower leg
7. Lower leg swelling, including the ankle – if this occurs elevate the leg above the heart and apply ice to the swollen areas.
8. Numbness to the foot – will resolve within a few days
9. Low grade temperature less than 101.5 – if this occurs drink plenty of fluids and cough and deep breathe (take 10 breaths, on the last hold for a second then forcefully cough a few times). A low grade temp is normal for a week after surgery
10. Small amount of redness to the area where the sutures insert in the skin
11. Low back discomfort due to the epidural / spinal anesthesia… apply a heating pad as needed

NOTIFY OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY AT (724) 720-3072 IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OCCUR:

1. Chest pain or shortness of breath
2. Change is noted to your incision (i.e. increased redness or drainage)
3. Sharp pains in the back of your hip, thigh, or calf
4. Temperature greater than 101.5 degrees
5. Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
6. Stitches loosen or fall out and incisions open up
7. Thick, foul-smelling drainage (yellow or greenish)
8. Increased pain which is not relieved by medications or other measures mentioned above

***If it is after business hours and you need immediate assistance, please call 412-432-1863 and ask to speak with the Sports Medicine Fellow on call.