Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Your surgeon told you that you need surgery on your knee. Arthroscopic knee surgery is pretty routine and can treat a variety of knee problems.
Arthroscopic may be recommended for knee problems, such as:
• A torn meniscus
• Mild arthritis
• Small pieces of broken cartilage in the knee joint
• A torn or damaged anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligament
• Inflamed or damaged lining of the joint
• Misalignment of the knee cap
For arthroscopic surgery on your knee, your surgeon will insert a small camera, less than 1/4 inch in diameter, into your knee joint through a small incision. The camera is attached to a video monitor, which your surgeon will use to see inside your knee. In some facilities, you can watch the surgery on the monitor as well.
For a simple surgical procedure, you be given a local or regional anesthetic, which will numb the affected area. You will remain awake and be able to respond. For more extensive surgery, general anesthesia may be used. If this occurs you will be unconscious and pain-free.
After the camera is inserted, saline is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and to help control bleeding. Some surgeons also use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding.
After looking around the entire knee for problem areas, your surgeon will usually make 1-4 additional small incisions to insert other instruments like a blunt hook to pull on various tissues, a shaver to remove damaged or unwanted soft tissues, and a burr to remove bone. A heat probe may also be used to remove inflammation in the joint.
Once your surgery is completed, the saline will be drained from your knee, the incisions closed, and a dressing applied. Many surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor so that you can see what was done.
A simple arthroscopic procedure generally lasts about an hour. Once the surgery is complete, you will be taken to a separate room to recover for a few hours before going home. Your doctor may give you medication to relieve pain and inflammation.
After you go home, you'll need to wrap, rest, ice and elevate your knee for several days to reduce swelling and pain. Your surgeon will recommend a rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy to speed your recovery. Most likely, you can resume daily activities within a few days, but it may take several weeks for your knee to fully recover.
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