Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is the least invasive surgical treatment Riverside Orthopaedic Surgeons perform. Your surgeon is able to see and work inside your knee joint with an incision as small as a quarter of an inch. Your surgeon uses an arthroscope, a long narrow tube no wider than an eighth of an inch with a miniature video camera attached to the end. The arthroscope is inserted inside the joint through the tiny incision so the doctor has a full view of your knee, cartilage and surrounding tissue. Images appear on a monitor so that your surgeon can treat a variety of conditions.
Conditions treated with anthoscopic surgery
- Loose bone fragments.
- Damaged or torn cartilage such as meniscus injuries.
- Inflamed knee linings.
- Knee infections.
- Torn ligaments such as ACL or PCL.
- Scarring or tissue overgrowth within joints.
Before surgery
Prior to arthroscopic surgery, standard pre-operative blood and urine tests may be conducted as well as scans of the affected joint. These scans include MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography), or an arthrogram (an x ray using dye). The tests can be conducted at one of our diagnostic facilities located near you. In some cases, you will also be given an exercise regimen to strengthen muscles around the joint.
Your doctor will make a referral so that you can be fitted with medical equipment to assist you after the surgery. Helpful equipment might include crutches and a walker.
The Surgery
The surgery usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Most patients are discharged the same day but occasionally, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the patient’s condition, a hospital stay is recommended. Arthroscopic surgery is performed at either at a Riverside outpatient surgery center or a Riverside hospital.
- Ice packs will be placed on your knee and you will be moved to a recovery area where you will remain for a few hours.
- For outpatient surgery, you should wear loose fitting clothing to allow for bulky dressings over the surgical site. Bring your pre-fitted crutches or a walker.
- You’ll be asked to change into a gown or shorts. While you are waiting for the procedure to begin and so that you can relax, you will be given a mild sedative.
- Depending on the complexity of the surgery, you will be given general, regional or local anesthesia.
- You’ll be placed in a position that allows the surgeon to easily reach the injured joint. For knee arthroscopy, that's usually on your back on a short table with your knees bent and your feet hanging down.
After sterilizing the area, the surgeon will make a small incision or incisions in the skin near the knee and inject a sterile solution that will expand the joint for better viewing and movement of the instruments. Your knee will be irrigated several times during the surgery to remove debris and blood. The surgeon will insert the arthroscope and look at the interior of your knee on the monitor. Other tools such as a laser or tiny scalpels are used to correct or repair your knee.
Once the procedure is completed, your knee is irrigated and the site of the incision is dressed with compression bandages or a tightly fitting support stocking. The medical staff will monitor you and determine when you may be discharged. Because of the sedation, you will need someone to drive you home.
Recovery
Once you return home, it will take several days for the incisions to heal and several weeks for the joint to fully recover. You will be asked to keep ice packs on your knee and to elevate it for at least 72 hours following surgery. You can expect to return to work and resume daily activities within a few days to a week.
Once you return home, it will take several days for the incisions to heal and several weeks for the joint to fully recover. You will be asked to keep ice packs on your knee and to elevate it for at least 72 hours following surgery. You can expect to return to work and resume daily activities within a few days to a week.
While you need to regain muscle strength to support your knee, you must be very careful not to overdo it. The last step in your Road to Recovery includes physical therapy at one of several convenient locations.
Related
- Arthroscopy
- Arthroscopy Recovery (Image)
- Knee: ACL Treatment Guide
- Knee: Things to consider about ACL treatment
- What's rehab like after ACL surgery? (Video)
- How much time for physical therapy? (Video)
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