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What is knee arthroscopy?
A knee arthroscopy procedure involves an orthopedic surgeon inserting a narrow tube, called an arthroscope, through a small incision near the knee to examine the joint. Knee arthroscopy is performed by orthopedic surgeons as an exploratory procedure to prepare for more invasive surgeries, but it can also be used as a minimally invasive surgery to treat inflammation, repair cartilage, ligament reconstruction or remove floating tissue.
After the initial incision, the surgeon will insert saline into the knee to flush away any debris and give a clear view of the joint. Using a video camera and light fed by fiber optics through the arthroscope, the surgeon will look within the knee joint to precisely diagnose the problem. If the surgeon is able to treat the problem during surgery, additional insertions may be made for other small instruments.
The procedure has gained notoriety for its use in the successful reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments, or ACLs, in injured athletes. However, knee arthroscopy is also used for the repair of inflamed joint lining, the removal of excess floating particles of tissue and cartilage repair. Although knee arthroscopy is successful in treating many conditions, it is not foolproof. Sometimes, severe damage to the cartilage or joint may require a more invasive procedure, such as a total knee replacement, to correct the problem. Patients may also be asked to change their lifestyle by choosing lower load-bearing activities to preserve the remaining cartilage or joint as an alternative to total joint replacement.
In knee arthroscopy, a patient may be given local, regional or general anesthetic to numb associated pain. The duration of the procedure will depend on what the surgeon finds during the examination and diagnosis, but the initial preparation time usually ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour. After stitching up the incision, the surgeon will lead the patient to a recovery room. A normal recovery period from a knee arthroscopy is about 1 to 2 hours.
Knee arthroscopy is generally an outpatient procedure, and patients should recover from postoperative swelling within 1 to 2 weeks. Overall, normal function should be restored within 6 to 8 weeks, but may take longer with more involved procedures such as a ligament reconstruction.
Patients with jobs that involve increased load-bearing activities may be out of work longer than patients who have less physically exerting jobs. After surgery, patients should keep the surgical area clean and dry and should not drive or put weight on the knee until fully recovered or as directed by their surgeon.
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