Knee arthroscopy is a less invasive surgical procedure that health providers use for diagnosing and treating several knee injuries. The healthcare provider creates a small incision and then inserts a long and thin tool that comes with a camera on its end. The camera will show you images of what’s inside your knee. This will help the healthcare provider to provide a diagnosis for your knee condition. Private healthcare facilities like Scorthogroup offer this service.
Who needs a knee arthroscopy?
The healthcare provider often recommends a knee arthroscopy to those who suffer from knee pain that doesn’t become better with non-invasive treatments. Such treatments include ice, rest, physical therapy (PT), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and others. Even if arthritis gives you knee pain, this surgery isn’t a reliable osteoarthritis treatment.
Healthcare providers use knee arthroscopy for them to see clearly the bones, tissues, and cartilage inside of the knee. Through this, they can produce a diagnosis for several types of knee injuries. These injuries often affect the cartilage and ligaments found in the knee joint.
What health conditions are treated by knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy can be used for soft tissue injuries. Soft tissues are often ligaments and tendons. Some of the most common injuries that affect the knees are bursitis, torn meniscus, patellar tendonitis, MCL tear, and ACL tear.
Bones may chip off or break inside the knee. There are cases also when pieces of cartilage break off once the bone is fractured.
This can also treat inflammation of the knee. The synovium found in a joint may be inflamed. Synovium is the soft tissue located inside the joint. Healthcare providers call this condition synovitis. When any of these conditions affect you, you may go to the nearest healthcare facility or clinic like Scorthogroup.
What are the advantages of getting a knee arthroscopy?
Minimally invasive procedures similar to knee arthroscopy often require less time for recovery compared to traditional surgery. Only a few stitches are needed for this procedure, which means you may easily get back on your feet compared to traditional surgery. This also comes with less pain and a much lower risk of infection.
What are some of the risks involved in knee arthroscopy?
It is rare to have complications when going through knee arthroscopy. Just like any other surgery, the most common complications are infection and bleeding. Right after the procedure, people may have stiff knees, blood clots, or swelling which is caused by blood that pooled in the knee which seldom happens.
When is it possible to return to my usual activities after the surgery?
Every person reacts to a surgical procedure differently. Ask your healthcare provider when you will be able to get back to your routinary activities such as driving or walking without assistance.
