Knee Arthroscopy: What Asheboro Nc Orthopedic Surgeons Want You To Know

Knee arthroscopy is a common procedure utilizing a small camera to view the inside of the knee. This allows sports medicine doctors and orthopedic surgeons to get a better view, which helps them make a proper diagnosis and formulate appropriate treatment.

Knee arthroscopy is a highly effective orthopedic surgery tool in the treatment of knee problems, mainly due to the advances in high-resolution cameras and high definition monitors. According to the AOSSM, the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, nearly five million arthroscopies of the knee are performed each year world-wide.

Getting ready for orthopedic surgery
Preparing for a knee arthroscopy will of course involve a complete physical beforehand. Your physician must assess whether there is anything else going on that could complicate your orthopedic surgery. Your chosen Asheboro NC sports medicine doctors will go through a list of medications that you must stop taking just prior to your orthopedic surgery. He or she may also order additional tests, like an EKG or blood count.

Surgery
Nearly all knee arthroscopies are on an outpatient basis.
o Arrival: You will be asked to arrive well before your scheduled surgery and given instructions to not eat or drink after a certain time.
o Anesthesia: A local anesthetic will be used to numb your knee.
o Procedure: Orthopedic surgeons begin by making small incisions in the knee. A sterilized solution will be used to rinse the area and give your surgeon a better view during your knee arthroscopy. The arthroscope will be inserted to help the surgeon see what needs to be done. If surgery is needed, it will be performed through a different small incision.
o Duration: How long this takes will depend on the treatment needed, but the initial diagnostic portion of a knee arthroscopy generally lasts 30 minutes to an hour.

Recovery and outcome
The first step after knee arthroscopy is a trip to the recovery room, where you will stay for a couple of hours before being discharged to go home. Someone else must drive. Recovery is fairly quick, but it is important to follow instructions from your orthopedic surgeons once you get home.

After knee arthroscopy, you can generally return to most of your regular activities within eight weeks, and often much sooner. High impact activities should be avoided for far longer. Talk to your sports medicine doctors before resuming intense activities. How soon you can return to work will depend on your particular job.

Aftercare
After your knee arthroscopy, your doctor will prescribe medications to relieve pain and aspirin to decrease the risk of a blood clot. Your sports medicine doctors will also prescribe therapeutic exercises for your knee, as this will help restore strength and range of motion. Physical therapy can drastically help your recovery as well.

Knee arthroscopy allows sports medicine doctors and orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat many painful knee problems. Contact the fine professionals in Asheboro NC to find out if knee arthroscopy can help alleviate your knee pain.