How many days after small needle knife surgery can one exercise?

Generally, the timing for postoperative exercise after small needle knife surgery depends on the surgical site and recovery progress. For superficial soft tissue surgeries, light exercises can be attempted 3–5 days after the procedure; for joint or deep tissue surgeries, waiting 7–10 days is recommended. In both cases, exercise should only begin if there is no significant pain. Detailed recommendations are as follows:

If the surgery involved superficial soft tissues such as the neck or shoulder, and local redness, swelling, and pain have significantly subsided within 3–5 days post-surgery, gentle exercises like slow neck rotation or shoulder lifting may be initiated. Movements should be small in range to avoid pulling on the surgical area. Each exercise session should last only 5–10 minutes to prevent excessive activity that could impair healing.

If the surgery affected joints or deep tissues such as the knee or lower back, patients should wait 7–10 days until local inflammation has subsided and pain has eased before gradually beginning exercises. Initial activities may include slow joint flexion and extension, avoiding weight-bearing or strenuous activities. Exercise intensity and duration can be progressively increased based on recovery progress.

Postoperative exercise should be advanced gradually, avoiding sudden forceful movements or large-amplitude motions. It is also important to keep the surgical site clean and dry to prevent infection. Adequate rest and a diet rich in protein are recommended to provide essential nutrients for tissue repair and support overall recovery.