The neoprene knee sleeve is to be used for compression in the event of swelling following your knee surgery.
Typically you should remove your bandage and soft dressings 3 or 4 days after surgery. The knee sleeve should then be thought of as a bandage to help with swelling. If the knee is not swelling then there is no need for the knee sleeve.
Usually after an arthroscopy the knee sleeve is needed for 7-10 days and it can often be used intermittently. If it is not swelling at night then it does not need to be worn at night. Following knee reconstruction surgery, the knee sleeve is often needed for 6 weeks or more due to ongoing swelling.
Once the bandages are removed icing the knee can be very helpful to reduce swelling.
Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed as well. The knee sleeve should be tried on for fit on the opposite knee before going home from the hospital. It should offer some compression without being over tight and it should not indent the skin. When at home, if you are feeling that the knee sleeve is too tight then remove it and revert to a crepe bandage if necessary.
It is a good idea to remove the knee sleeve intermittently to see if the swelling is abated and to inspect the knee and also to clean the knee sleeve.
If you have any problems contact Kawana Hospital on 5413 9100
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