If you are a patient of Dr George Parker and you have a question or a problem after surgery you may contact the rooms for help.

Should you have problems after surgery such as severe pain, problems with the wounds (e.g. redness or discharge), pain in the calf or other surgery related problems please contact our office (5444 1811).

You may also contact the surgical ward to speak to a nurse, Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, Buderim (5430 3484).

If you are unable to make contact with either of the above or you have more generalised symptoms e.g. chest pain you should contact your General Practitioner or the Emergency Department of Buderim Private Hospital (5452 0599) or

In an Emergency call 000.

Instructions for Patients After Knee Arthoscopy

• Leave bandages intact for first 24 hours.
• Under the bandage there will be 2-3 small wounds with clear waterproof dressings covering them. If these dressings are intact you may shower normally. If these dressings detach or leak you will need to obtain fresh waterproof dressings from a pharmacy.
• Keep the wounds covered until the sutures are removed in approximately 2 weeks.
• Unless other arrangements have been made I will remove the dressings and sutures in my office, you should have an appointment made for you prior to discharge(this appointment will usually be approximately 2 weeks after the operation).
• You may walk on your knee as you feel comfortable to do so, unless specifically instructed otherwise by me. Some people will require crutches postoperatively whilst others may not, you may decide on what you feel comfortable to do.
• You will receive a sheet of exercises to perform at home prior to discharge. You should perform the exercises as described on the sheet. You should see a physiotherapist soon after surgery.
• You should have a script for appropriate pain relief medication provided on hospital discharge.
• Should you have problems after surgery such as severe pain, problems with the wounds (e.g. redness or discharge), pain in the calf or other knee related problems please contact my office, you may also contact the surgical ward to speak to a nurse.
• If you are unable to make contact with either of the above or you have more generalised symptoms e.g. chest pain you should contact your General Practitioner or the Emergency Department of Buderim Private Hospital (5452 0599).
• In an Emergency call 000

Exercise Program: After Arthroscopy

1. QUADRICEPS STRENGTHENING – To maintain muscle tone in the thigh muscles
(quadriceps) and straighten the knee. Sit or lie on your back with your knee extended fully straight as in figure 1. Tighten and hold the front thigh muscles making the knee flat and straight. The tightening action of the quadriceps should make your knee straighten and be pushed flat against the bed or floor. Hold for five seconds for each contraction. Do 20 repetitions as often as possible.

Sometimes a HEEL PROP- to straighten (extend) the knee will help with this exercise.
Sit in a chair with the heel on a stool as shown in figure 2. Let the knee relax into extension
(straight), then do exercise as described above.

2. SITTING HEEL SLIDES – to regain the bend (flexion of the knee). While sitting in a chair, slide the heel backward as if trying to get the foot underneath the chair. Hold five seconds and slowly relieve the stretch by sliding the foot forward. You can help with the opposite foot if necessary. Repeat exercise 20 times, three times a day.

3. ANKLE PUMPS – move the foot up and down to stimulate circulation in the leg. Do at least 10 ankle pump exercises each hour.