Overextended yourself in a heated game of tennis?
Twisted a little too hard on that first golf swing of the day?
If you are experiencing knee pain, there is a good chance your primary physician will send you to an orthopedic surgeon who will perform a knee arthroscopy to confirm and treat your knee pain.
Arthroscopic Surgery diagnoses and treats the following injuries:
- Misalignment of the kneecap
- Torn meniscus
- Ligament damage
- Loose joint cartilage
- Knee Bone Fractures
- Swollen joint lining
- Removing a Baker’s cyst
What happens during the procedure?
During a knee arthroscopy your surgeon will make a very small incision and insert an arthroscope (small camera) into your knee. This gives your surgeon an excellent shot of your knee problems: they will be able to view your knee joint via a screen, determine the problem, and in most cases correct the issue during the arthroscopy.
Knee arthroscopy is not a very invasive surgery, it generally lasts 1-2 hours, and you will not need an overnight stay at the hospital.
What are the risks to knee arthroscopy?
It is rare that you will experience any risks during or after knee arthroscopy. To keep that risk as low as possible your orthopedic surgeon will inform you on how best to prepare for your surgery. You will also discuss what medications you may be taking, what medications you may need after the surgery for pain management, and he or she will let you know if you will need to avoid eating before surgery.
However, prepared as you may be, as with any surgery, there are risks involved. The following is a list of the risks involved specifically with knee arthroscopy surgery:
- Stiffness in the knee
- Knee joint infection
- Blood clots
- Bleeding in the knee joint
- Damage to areas of the knee including nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, cartilage, meniscus
Recovering from Knee Arthroscopy
Your recovery from knee arthroscopy will involve icing and elevating your leg, as well as changing the dressing. Your doctor will also need to follow-up with you a few days after your procedure. You will most likely need to work with a physical therapist to strengthen your muscles until you are able to use your knee without assistance.
Follow your doctor’s recovery instructions and your chances of full recovery from your knee arthroscopy procedure will be positive. Our Neuroscience and Spine Orthopedics Naples department is headed by Doctor Michael Havig, who believes relating to and educating patients is his most important job. If you live in the Naples, Florida area and are experience knee pain talk to your primary physician about a referral to one of our many southwest Florida locations, or contact us directly.
