Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat various knee problems. Small incisions are made, and a camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the knee joint to view and address the issue.
Knee arthroscopy can treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Meniscus tears
- Ligament injuries (e.g., ACL, PCL tears)
- Cartilage damage
- Knee joint infections or inflammation
- Synovial cysts
- Removal of loose bodies (fragments of bone or cartilage)
Arthroscopy allows us to view the knee structures from the inside, using a rotating camera to provide a detailed view of the anatomy. The smaller incisions used during the procedure often make it more targeted and less invasive, leading to a faster recovery.
During the procedure, your knee is filled with water to create space for viewing and working. Some of this water will leak out over the next couple of days. To absorb this fluid, a large absorbent dressing is applied over your knee.
- 2 days after surgery: Remove the bulky dressing and dispose of it.
- Showering: After removing the dressing, you can shower. Pat your skin dry and apply band-aids over the incision sites.
- Avoid submerging your incisions: Do not submerge your incisions for 6 weeks after surgery.
After surgery, it’s important to balance preserving range of motion and function while protecting healing structures.
- If you had a repair or reconstruction, such as a meniscus repair or ACL surgery, you will have more limited activity initially to avoid disrupting the healing process.
- General guidelines: Ensure you are moving your ankle and toes, and make sure your knee is fully extended (straight) the marority of the day.
- Weight-bearing and flexion: Specific post-op instructions will be given to protect any repairs while optimizing range of motion and function.
Pain management typically includes:
- Local anesthetic: This is administered during surgery to help keep you comfortable.
- Post-surgery pain management: After waking up, ice therapy and scheduled medications are used to manage pain and inflammation.
- Pain medication: Set a timer to take your pain medication every 6 hours for the first 24-48 hours. This, combined with ice, will help you stay comfortable.
Knee arthroscopy is usually performed on an outpatient basis, meaning most patients can go home the same day after the procedure.
While rare, the potential risks and complications include:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Damage to blood vessels or nerves
- Knee stiffness
- Continued pain or incomplete healing
- The need for further surgery
Physical therapy is often necessary to help regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee. Therapy typically begins soon after surgery and can last for several weeks or months, depending on your specific recovery goals.