Knee arthroscopy: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency medical help for trouble breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, fainting, or sudden severe weakness.

   Also seek immediate help if your foot becomes cold or pale, or you develop a sudden major loss of feeling or movement.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Contact your surgical team promptly if you have increasing redness, warmth, drainage, fever, worsening swelling, pain that is not controlled as expected, persistent vomiting, or bleeding that soaks through the dressing.

   New calf pain or one-sided calf swelling also needs urgent assessment.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Mild bruising, swelling, and soreness are usually discussed at routine follow-up if they are steadily improving.

   Use the contact instructions provided by your facility if you are unsure whether a change is expected.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Knee arthroscopy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.