Knee Surgery
Are you an athlete who has blown out your knee and find yourself needing surgery? Or do you just experience chronic pain or swelling your knee? If so knee surgery or arthroscopy may help to alleviate your problems.
Your orthopedic surgeon uses arthroscopy to diagnose and treat the knee disorder that your are having by obtaining a clear view inside the knee with only a small incision. The arthroscope is a pencil-sized instrument with a scope that allows the image of you knee to appear on a monitor for the surgeon to examine more thoroughly. During the procedure, the surgeon can insert other instruments through the same incision in your knee to remove or repair the damaged tissue.
Knee problems for arthroscopic surgery
• Torn ligaments
• Torn meniscal cartilage
• Damaged joint surfaces
• Removal of synovial fluid
• Rheumatoid or gouty arthritis in the synovial membrane
Your recovery time from knee arthroscopy surgery will be more rapid, but it is important that you follow all of your doctor's instructions.
Some instructions include
You should keep your leg elevated to minimize swelling for a few days after surgery. Applying ice will relieve swelling and pain as well.
You will have a dressing over your knee that you can remove the day after your surgery. You can shower, but you should avoid putting water directly on the incisions. Don't soak in a tub. You should keep your incisions clean and dry.
You should be able to walk without crutches after your arthroscopic knee surgery, however, your orthopedic surgeon might have you use crutches or a walker for a short period of time after your surgery until you are comfortable putting weight on your leg and your discomfort dissipates. You probably won't be allowed to drive for about a week after your surgery.
You will need to sign up for a rehab program in order to rebuild your muscle strength around you knee to relieve the stress on the knee. Your rehab should start by the end of the first week after your surgery. Nautilus type equipment is recommended. Your activity will be restricted for about 6 weeks after surgery or until you've successfully completed your rehab program.
If you've torn your ligament your recovery time will be longer because of the meniscus has a slower healing time. And if you are older the possibility of repairing a tear decreases.
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