Experience The Benefits And Quick Recovery Time With Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy can be a bit intimidating. If the prospect of knee surgery keeps you from treating any number of common knee problems, than perhaps some information on knee arthroscopy will relieve your discomfort.

Knee arthroscopy is a technique to diagnose and treat a variety of common knee problems, including ACL sprains and tears, and meniscal tears. Orthopedic surgeons use a small incision in the knee to insert a camera about the size of a pencil into the affected area, getting a clear view of the knee joint.

Once a diagnosis is made, it is then possible to insert small surgical instruments into the incision, using the camera as a guide. Knee arthroscopy is almost always completed on an outpatient basis.

Knee arthroscopy used to treat variety of common knee problems
Knee arthroscopy has made the diagnosis and treatment of knee problems much more precise and straightforward. Knee arthroscopy is most commonly used for removal or repair of torn meniscal cartilage, reconstruction of a torn ACL, trimming torn pieces of articular cartilage, removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage, and removal of inflamed synovial tissue.

Diagnosis of each specific knee problem generally takes between thirty minutes to an hour. Recovery time after knee arthroscopy is about an hour to two hours, and someone other than the patient needs to drive home.

What to expect before and after knee arthroscopy
The best way to calm fears about surgery is to know what to expect. In all likelihood, you will be asked to arrive at the hospital one to two hours before knee arthroscopy.

You should not drink anything after midnight the night before the orthopedic surgery. After cleaning your knee joint with a sterile solution, the orthopedic surgeon is able to see the area more clearly and make a diagnosis.

Recovery from knee arthroscopy is much faster than from invasive knee surgery. Post-surgery, the patient needs to keep the leg elevated as much as possible and ice the site as recommended. Following knee arthroscopy, pain medication will be prescribed, and crutches utilized until the orthopedic surgeon gives the all clear.

Knee arthroscopy outcome depends on damage
Recovery from knee arthroscopy depends on what types of repairs/reconstructions are done during the surgery. A return to higher impact activities may take a bit longer, but that is up to the orthopedic surgeons.

Depending on the degree of damage to the knee prior to knee arthroscopy, full recovery may be possible. If, however, damage is significant, then a lifestyle change may be necessary after knee arthroscopy. Low-impact activities such as biking, swimming, and water aerobics are much less demanding on knees.

Knee arthroscopy offers Asheboro NC residents a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of common knee problems, along with a quicker recovery time. If you have put off treating a knee injury because of fear of surgery, or lack of available time, knee arthroscopy by the orthopedic surgeons is the solution.