ROBERT PETTIT, MD
Restoring Function. Maximizing Performance.
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine · Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
CINCINNATI, OH · FORT THOMAS, KY
(513) 354-3700
Fellowship-Trained · Board Certified (ABOS) · Mako Robotics Certified · Cincinnati Reds Team Physician
Post-Operative Protocol
OATS Trochlea
Post-operative recovery instructions from Dr. Pettit and team
513-441-5639 (Direct Line to Sandy Evans)
Your surgical care team: Robert Pettit, MD — Orthopaedic Surgeon · Maria Dodd, PA-C — Physician Assistant, surgical & post-op care
Knee Arthroscopy with Trochlea Cartilage Repair
Post-operative Protocol
Wound Care
- Remove dressing in 2 days and keep the area wrapped with your ace bandage.
- Keep steri-strips or Glue in in place until they fall off or they are removed at your first post-operative visit.
- You may shower in 3 days; be sure to pat the incision dry afterwards.
- Do not scrub the area; just allow water/soap to wash over you.
- Do not bath or swim until approved by Dr. Pettit.
Ice
- You will be provided with ice packs on the day of your surgery. We recommend that you use ice on a consistent basis for the first 24–48 hours. This will help reduce post-operative swelling. After that, use as necessary.
- Use a cloth between the ice and your skin. DO NOT place ice directly on skin as this may cause frostbite. Do not leave ice wrap or cold therapy on for more than 20 minutes without checking your skin.
- Our office has Breg Polar Cubes available for purchase. Please contact 513-354-3710 or 859-905-1006 for details
- You may consider purchasing other commercially available ice and compression devices available online (e.g. amazon.com). Some options include a NICE Machine, Game Ready machine or Cryocuff. These devices are not always covered by insurance; we advise you contact your insurance company for cost details. If desired we can write you a prescription for these devices.
Braces
- With a Cartilage Repair. You will be placed in a post-operative brace. You should keep the brace in the locked position (your leg will be fully extended) for the first 4 weeks of walking (your physical therapist will assist you in gradually increasing weight bearing)
- You will have a bulky dressing initially which can be removed after 2 days.
- Please wear TED compression stockings for 1 week.
Knee Range of Motion
- It is crucial to commit to obtaining full range of motion following your surgery. Please work diligently on straightening the leg fully and bending with goal of 90 degrees of flexion by 2 weeks. You can remove the brace to work on bending the leg for 5 minutes every hour
Crutches & Weight bearing status
- Following a Cartilage Repair, you will need crutches for 6 weeks (Have your brace locked in extension at this time). At 6 weeks we will ease you back into normal walking without crutches
- When you are able to ambulate without a limp and feel comfortable doing so, you can safely discard the crutches and walk unassisted.
Physical Therapy
- Formal physical therapy will be ordered by your orthopedic surgeon in the form of a written prescription upon discharge from surgery. You will also receive a therapy protocol form. Following a cartilage Repair you should start formal physical therapy within 2-5 days. The prescription and protocol should be given to a physical therapist of your choice so you can begin your program as directed under close supervision of your surgeon.
- Until you begin working with a therapist, you can do some exercises at home, such as: quad sets, leg raises, flexion and extension, and calf pumps (see pictures below). You may begin these exercises the day following your surgery.
Home Exercise Program
Quad Set Exercise
Tighten the muscles on top of the thigh as tightly as possible and hold.
Pull your toes back.
Push the back of your knee down to the floor.
Try to push out and up through the heel.
Pull 10 seconds, trying every second to pull even tighter.
Relax 5 seconds.
Repeat for 2 sets of ten times. Rest 60 seconds between sets.
Pull your toes back.
Push the back of your knee down to the floor.
Try to push out and up through the heel.
Pull 10 seconds, trying every second to pull even tighter.
Relax 5 seconds.
Repeat for 2 sets of ten times. Rest 60 seconds between sets.
Straight Leg Raise
Tighten the muscles on top of the thigh as tightly as possible and hold.
Raise the entire leg holding the knee as tight as possible. Hold 5 seconds.
Lower leg and rest 2 seconds.
Repeat for 2 sets of 10 times.
Rest 1 minute between sets.
Raise the entire leg holding the knee as tight as possible. Hold 5 seconds.
Lower leg and rest 2 seconds.
Repeat for 2 sets of 10 times.
Rest 1 minute between sets.
Flexion and Extension
Sit on something high enough to keep foot off the floor.
Bend the knee as far back as possible.
Straighten knee as far forward as possible and hold it straight.
Then relax. (Like pumping on a swing.)
Repeat for 3 sets of 10 times.
Bend the knee as far back as possible.
Straighten knee as far forward as possible and hold it straight.
Then relax. (Like pumping on a swing.)
Repeat for 3 sets of 10 times.
Calf Pumps
Pointing the Feet:- Action
(Keeping your foot strictly in line with the ankle knee and hip joints): Point the foot away from you.
Repeat slowly, five to 10 times each foot.
Flexing Feet:- Action
(Keeping your foot strictly in line with the ankle knee and hip joints): Flex the foot, this time letting the heel push away from you, and the toe end of the foot come toward you.
Repeat slowly, five to 10 times each foot.
(Keeping your foot strictly in line with the ankle knee and hip joints): Point the foot away from you.
Repeat slowly, five to 10 times each foot.
Flexing Feet:- Action
(Keeping your foot strictly in line with the ankle knee and hip joints): Flex the foot, this time letting the heel push away from you, and the toe end of the foot come toward you.
Repeat slowly, five to 10 times each foot.
Heel Slides
Lie onto your back with both legs outstretched in front of you
Slowly, keeping your heel on the floor, slide your foot towards your backside
Go as close as comfortable, then stop
Keeping your foot on the ground, then slide your foot back out, straightening your leg slowly.
Repeat slowly, 5-10 times
Slowly, keeping your heel on the floor, slide your foot towards your backside
Go as close as comfortable, then stop
Keeping your foot on the ground, then slide your foot back out, straightening your leg slowly.
Repeat slowly, 5-10 times
Day of Surgery
- You have been given a regional anesthetic block prior to your operation. This will wear off in the evening following your surgery.
- Some swelling and bruising can occur after surgery. Make sure to apply ice to the affected area. Please perform frequent calf pumps to help reduce your swelling. If you are concerned about the amount of swelling or bruising, please contact our office.
Pain Control
Take 1000mg Tylenol every eight hours. You should not exceed more than 3,000mg of Tylenol in a single day.
Narcotics
- You have been prescribed a narcotic pain medication.
- Oxycodone 5mg may be taken every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
- Journavx (suzetrigine): If Journavx has been prescribed, take it in place of the Oxycodone. Start with a loading dose of 100 mg (two 50 mg tablets), then take one 50 mg tablet twice a day (every 12 hours) for two weeks. If you are not getting adequate pain control with Journavx, you may take Oxycodone instead. Do not take Journavx and Oxycodone at the same time, and avoid grapefruit while taking Journavx.
- Use the medication only as prescribed. Take it with food.
- Do not drive or use any type of heavy machinery, drink alcohol, make any life-changing or legal decisions (i.e. sign a will), or participate in activities that require a lot of physical skill, as narcotics may change your mental acuity. On rare occasions this medication may cause confusion or disorientation, and we advise you to discontinue this medication should these occur.
- You may obtain a partial fill of this medication at your pharmacy.
- This medication can be addictive.
- Please dispose of any excess medication at any police or fire station.
- Take a stool softener, such as Colace, while taking the narcotic medication, because narcotics may cause constipation. If this does not help alleviate your constipation, you can try adding miralax or milk of magnesia. Please contact our office if this regimen does not alleviate your constipation.
- If you have any questions or concerns about narcotic strength medications, please contact our office prior to your surgery for further discussion.
Non- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications:
- Ok to take NSAIDS (ibuprofen, advil, aleve) post-operatively with food
- You may take ibuprofen 600 mg to be taken every 8 hours as needed.
DVT Prophylaxis (blood clot prevention)
- If you can take Aspirin without any difficulty and are NOT CURRENTLY on any anticoagulation, then you should take Aspirin 81 mg daily for 4 weeks, starting the day after your surgery.
Oral Contraceptive medication:
- If you are currently taking oral contraceptive medication, you may be at a higher risk for a blood clot after surgery. You may consider talking with your primary care physician or obstetrician about discontinuing this temporarily surrounding your surgery.
Driving
- You may drive once you have full control of your arms and legs. Do NOT drive if you are taking narcotics! If you have had surgery on your RIGHT knee, please wait 2-4 weeks after your surgery and are able to unlock your brace. If you drive a manual transmission vehicle and have had surgery on your LEFT knee, please also wait 2-4 weeks to prevent irritation from operating the clutch. We recommend you practice driving in an open parking lot before returning to the road. If you have to drive for long periods of time within 2 – 4 weeks after surgery, we recommend taking frequent breaks to walk and stretch, to decrease the risk of a blood clot.
Dental Work
- Please do not undergo any dental work, including cleanings, six weeks prior to surgery, and six months post-surgery.
Return to Work
- You may return to work as soon as you are comfortable and able to safely weight bear using crutches. This typically occurs 1–4 weeks post-op. Return to work notes can be obtained at your first post-op appointment.
Follow-up Appointment
- Your first post-operative appointment will be scheduled within 7 days following your surgical procedure. Your first post-operative appointment will be scheduled 5-7 days following your surgical procedure. Typically, dissolvable sutures are used during surgery, and do not need to be removed. If you do have sutures that need to be removed, this will occur at your first post-operative visit. If you do not have a post-operative appointment scheduled when you leave following surgery, please call 513-354-3700 to make the appointment or 513-441-5639 (Direct Line to Sandy Evans)
****Signs & Symptoms to Immediately Report****
- Call 911 and go to the nearest hospital if you are having chest pain or trouble breathing.
Call the Office at 513-354-3700 to Report Any of the Following
- Persistent fever (101 or greater)
- Sudden increase in pain and swelling
- Wound redness or drainage
- Increased skin temperature around incision
- Deep calf pain and swelling
Sources:
Huddleston, HD, Dr.; The Hip and Knee Institute; Home Exercises for the First 8 Weeks. Pages 1-4.
Scan for the latest version online
robertpettitmd.com/protocols/oats-trochlea.pdf
These instructions are general guidelines for Dr. Pettit's patients. Your individual instructions may differ — always follow the specific guidance given by Dr. Pettit and your care team, and call the office with any questions.
© 2026 Robert Pettit, MD · Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine · Post-Operative Protocol