What is knee arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive orthopaedic procedure that allows your doctor to examine the inside of a joint like your knee.
They use an arthroscope, which is a thin tube with a light and a camera on its tip to send images from inside your joint to a video monitor in the treatment room.
Why would I need knee arthroscopy?
Your doctor might recommend knee arthroscopy if you have knee pain, and they need more detail to confirm your diagnosis. In addition to diagnosing the condition causing your pain, LA Orthopaedic Specialists can also treat:
- Torn anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments
- Meniscal tears
- Dislocated patella
- Cartilage injuries
- Baker’s cysts
- Minor fractures of knee bones
- Inflamed synovium
Knee arthroscopy is a useful minimally invasive procedure that can allow your doctor to address many painful knee conditions. If your physician recommends knee arthroscopy, they explain what to expect and answer your questions.
What happens during a knee arthroscopy?
LA Orthopaedic Specialists provides anesthesia to help you stay comfortable during your knee arthroscopy. Depending on your condition, you receive local, regional, and general anesthesia.
Your doctor begins by making a couple of small incisions in your knee. They usually inject a saline solution into your knee to gently expand the joint. This allows them to see the inside of your knee clearly.
Then, they insert the arthroscope and examine the inside of your knee. If necessary, they can insert additional surgical tools to repair damaged tissue in your knee. The whole procedure usually takes less than an hour.
What should I expect while recovering from knee arthroscopy?
In most cases, knee arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure. Your doctor gives you personalized instructions for recovery. They also provide prescriptions to manage any pain and reduce your risk of infection.
In general, you should keep your leg elevated and use ice for the first day or so to reduce swelling. You should have someone to help you at home for at least the first 24 hours after your knee arthroscopy.
Your doctor might recommend physical therapy or exercises and stretches to practice at home to help maintain and improve your flexibility and range of motion.
If you have knee pain and are looking for expert orthopaedic care, call LA Orthopaedic Specialists or make an appointment online today and learn more about knee arthroscopy.
