Exact answer: At least after 3 days
Arthroscopy is the procedure of surgical treatment plan for that particular joint, where a surgeon looks inside the affected joint and treats that. The word “arthroscopy” is derived from the amalgamation of two words “arthro” which refers to joint and “skopein” which refers to look. These words have Greek origin details. However, this treatment is done mostly in areas of the presence of joints like the knee, elbow, shoulder, ankle, hip, etc.
During Arthroscopy surgery the surgeon has to open the superficial skin through a small incision and then through that incision a pencil-sized instrument was inserted. Additionally, that instrument contains a lens to magnify the structures inside the joint and some illuminating system. To see the interior structure surgeon attaches the arthroscope with a miniature camera.
How Long After Arthroscopic Surgery Can I Shower?
| Types | Time |
| Minimum | 2 days |
| Maximum | 7 days |
Arthroscopy is used in a condition when you feel pain, inflammation, or instability inside a joint due to injury or disease then your doctor has to see your bone, cartilage, tendons are damaged free or not. To perform Arthroscopy doctor will diagnose your condition through medical history, by performing physical activities, or by looking at your imaging studies like x-ray or MRI. After such diagnosis doctor will decide the appropriate treatment plan.
The conditions where arthroscopy technology is used for treatment:1) inflammation:- It is conditional on the knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and ankle joint, where the tissues around them become inflamed due to synovitis.
2) Acute or Chronic injuries:- Tear in Rotator cuff tendon ( rotator cuff tendon is a group of four muscle helps for stabilization of shoulder joint).
Shoulder impingement is an inflammation state caused due to repetitive injury. Repetitive dislocation in the shoulder, once dislocation happens means the muscles, tendons, or ligaments got loosed so repetitive dislocation happens. Meniscal (cartilage) tears in the knee and it is the most common injury caused due to a sudden twist of the knee. Chondromalacia is a condition when the cartilage under the knee cap is damaged due to repetitive injury. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears due to certain sports activities like basketball, football, etc.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition when the median nerve is compressed which causes numbness and tingling in the hand. When Loose bodies or bone fragments or cartilage fragments are found, particularly in the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, or wrist, then the process is carried out.
Why Should I Wait So Long After Arthroscopic Surgery To Shower?
Although all the joints can be viewed through Arthroscopy mostly the knee joint, hip joint, ankle joint, elbow joint, and wrist joint are those 6 joints that are examined most frequently. Although, Arthroscopic surgery is an easier way of operation than the open way still there is the use of anesthesia is there.
A minor cut or incision will be so that arthroscope can be inserted, and several other incisions may be made to insert the other instruments. Like if any corrective surgery is going on then some instruments will be used which would be specifically made for incisions. incisions. Earlier, Arthroscopic surgery used to be for the diagnosis of certain complications so that open surgery could be performed, but nowadays due to modern surgery instruments and advanced surgical techniques, the treatment of several conditions was also done by Arthroscopy.
After the surgery, the incisions would be covered along with the proper dressing. After this, you would be transferred to the recovery ward. You may need some pain medication for pain relief for few days. Before being discharged doctor will give u instructions on how to take care of the incisions. The doctor would advise you to avoid certain activities and exercise. For proper recovery, one should follow the doctor’s advice.
After few days of surgery go for a follow-up visit to your doctor. Complications after arthroscopic surgery are uncommon due to the less complicated and advanced technology. You can find swelling, blood clots of vain, and infections in some rare cases.
Conclusion
Arthroscopic surgery is easier for the patient to recover as compared to open surgery. A rehabilitation program is suggested by doctors to speed up the recovery and to protect the specific joint from future joint complications.
Few patients recover in 2-3 weeks and get back to the work after the swelling and pain reduction but most of the patients need a maximum time of 1 or 2 months to heal and to get back to their normal activities. It also depends on which joint is under maintenance if it is a weight-bearing joint (hip, knee, ankle ) then it needs more time as compared to the non-weight-bearing joint.