For those that experience frequent knee pain, we recommend making a appointment with us. Our team has several methods to diagnose and treat pain through both non-surgical and surgical methods. If a knee arthroscopy is part of your treatment plan, here is what you need to know for your upcoming surgery.
What is Knee Arthroscopy?
Knee Arthroscopy is a type of knee surgery used for diagnosing and treating certain knee joint issues. It is performed by inserting a small fiber-optic camera through a tiny incision. The surgeon then looks at a video monitor to determine what’s going on inside your knee.
The benefit of having a knee arthroscopy is that there is no need for a large incision and the procedure is minimally invasive. Surgeons are also able to repair certain types of knee joint damage during this procedure.
Why is Knee Arthroscopy done?
Surgeons can use knee arthroscopy to diagnose and treat various knee conditions, including but not limited to:
- Removal or repair of a torn meniscus
- Reconstruction of a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- Removal or repair of injured cartilage or bone fragments that are loose in the joint
- Treatment of abnormalities of the kneecap
- Treatment of knee infections
Is Arthroscopic Knee surgery painful?
In general, no. You’ll either have a local anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia depending on the length of the operation..
Arthroscopic knee surgery doesn’t take long, about one hour depending on diagnosis and treatment. You’ll be positioned in such a way to give your doctor the easiest access to your surgery site.
Incisions are small enough to be closed with one or two stitches. This means minimal blood loss and fast recovery.
How long does it take to recover from a Knee Arthroscopy?
In most cases, you’ll be able to return to light activity and desk work in a few days. Patients are usually able to drive again in one to three weeks and can return to more strenuous activity a few weeks later. Recovery time depends on each patient’s unique situation. You may require more or less time to recover which will be discussed before and after surgery with you and your doctor.
OrthoManhattan is dedicated to providing both professional service as well as excellent care.
Call us today to make an appointment!