If you have chronic knee pain that does not improve with nonsurgical treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend Katy knee arthroscopy for diagnosis and treatment. Unlike traditional open knee surgery, knee arthroscopy uses small incisions called portals. The small incision allows the doctor to insert a long, thin tool with a camera at its tip (arthroscope) to look closely at the inside of your knee. Read on to learn about the benefits of arthroscopic knee surgery.
Diagnosis and treatment in one
Knee arthroscopy allows your healthcare provider to diagnose or evaluate your knee and perform the treatment after that. For example, your surgeon can see images of damaged soft tissues and bones during knee arthroscopy. These images allow your healthcare provider to confirm a diagnosis and plan treatment. Treatment may include repairing soft tissues and bones or removing damaged or inflamed tissue. If your surgeon needs to repair soft tissues like tendons, ligaments, or cartilage, they will use specially designed tools. Knee arthroscopy allows your surgeon to stitch up bones together.
Small incisions
Knee arthroscopy requires a few small incisions about the size of a keyhole; these small cuts are called portals. Because the incisions are small, less blood loss is involved, and the risk of infection is also lower because less internal tissue is exposed. On the other hand, traditional open surgery may require that you receive a blood transfusion to compensate for the blood loss. Additionally, the risk of infection is higher because the incision is usually larger than in arthroscopic knee surgery.
Reduced downtime
Because of the minimally invasive nature of knee arthroscopy, patients require a shorter recovery period to heal from the procedure. Many patients resume work and regular activities within six to eight weeks, sometimes sooner. However, this depends on the nature of your job; if it involves heavy work, you may take longer before you can resume work. You will discuss with your doctor when you can drive, but typically, many patients can drive within one to three weeks after the procedure. Your recovery will depend on the type and severity of knee damage you had, but recovery from knee arthroscopy is generally faster than recovery from open knee surgery.
Performed on an outpatients basis
Most knee arthroscopy procedures are offered as an outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day after the procedure. Surgery usually lasts less than an hour, but the duration of the procedure will depend on the diagnosis and the necessary treatment. You should be able to go home within one to two hours after the knee arthroscopy. However, you should have someone to drive you home after arthroscopic knee surgery and check on you for the rest of the day.
Smaller scars
Knee arthroscopy minimizes scar tissue since it involves small incisions; the surgeon adjusts tiny tools to access the problem area, causing less damage to healthy tissue. After surgery, you will only have evidence of a small incision, which your surgeon will close with a stitch or steri-strips. Additionally, smaller incision sites heal faster and cause less pain than larger ones.
If you have further questions about knee arthroscopy, consult your provider at Integrity Orthopedics.
