Open Knee Surgery
Open knee surgery is surgery through an incision in the area of the knee and is most
commonly used for all types of knee and patella fractures, MPFL reconstruction, and posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction.
What to Expect
Open knee surgery is done either as an outpatient or as an overnight stay procedure.
Prior to surgery you will be asked to see your primary care doctor for “medical clearance”.
They may check blood tests, EKG, and a chest x-ray in addition to other tests they find indicated.
Once surgery is scheduled, the hospital or surgery center will
contact you ahead of time to provide specific details about your procedure.
Please make sure to ask any questions you have and follow the instructions
on when to arrive and especially on when to stop eating or drinking prior to surgery.
On the day of surgery, the anesthesia staff
will talk with you about anesthesia options.
You will be asleep for the procedure and often a
regional nerve block is recommended to numb the knee and leg for pain relief.
Once in the operating room, you will be
positioned so that a clear view of the inside
of your knee can be obtained. A member of the surgical
team will clean the skin over the knee with an antiseptic
solution and a sterile drape will cover your knee. Typically
the incision is made over the fracture or area of reconstruction.
At the end of surgery the incision is closed with stitches and covered them with a large, soft bandage.
Postoperatively you will stay in the recovery room for
1 to 2 hours before being discharged home or to the hospital
floor. Nurses will monitor your responsiveness and provide
pain medication, if needed. You will need someone to drive
you home and stay with you for at least the first night if you go home.
Recovery from knee surgery depends on the procedure
performed but takes several weeks and a few months before
full recovery. Physical therapy will play a vital role after surgery in regaining strength and motion.