Many Americans suffer from knee problems as they age. Some people even view it as an inevitable fact of life. However, you don’t have to live with knee pain or creaky joints.
Arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most common procedures done to diagnose and treat knee injuries. This advanced medical procedure offers a variety of benefits for people experiencing knee pain. Read on to find out how arthroscopic knee surgery can help you!
Diagnosis And Treatment
Your doctor will use an arthroscope to diagnose your knee issue. An arthroscope is a narrow tube with a tiny camera at the end through which your doctor can look at your knee tissues. If they detect any problems, your doctor may recommend treatment — surgical or otherwise. An arthroscope lets your doctor see your joint without having to open up the entire knee. In many cases, doctors are even able to make repairs for a variety of conditions and injuries during an arthroscopy.
Decreased Tissue Damage
In traditional knee surgery, a surgeon will make a large incision in your knee to check for any diseases, injuries, or other conditions causing you problems. While open surgery is an effective way to treat an orthopedic knee condition, it causes a lot of damage to the surrounding tissues – sometimes unnecessarily.
However, arthroscopic knee surgery doesn’t require a large incision. Doctors sometimes refer to arthroscopy as “keyhole surgery” because your surgeon will use a tiny hole instead of cutting open your knee. Your surgeon will use this hole to insert an arthroscope into the knee. A smaller incision minimizes tissue damage, leading to comparatively tiny scars. Furthermore, you’ll also lose less blood during the procedure.
Faster Healing Time
Arthroscopic knee surgeries often heal faster compared to other surgical methods. Unlike open surgery, arthroscopic knee surgery only affects a small portion of your knee. As a result, the time you need to heal is much shorter. In addition, this procedure is a minimally-invasive intervention compared to open knee surgery. Most patients can return to daily life in under two months after the operation.
Lower Risk Of Infection And Other Complications
Arthroscopic knee surgery is faster and easier to perform than traditional surgery and offers fewer risks of complications. Infections at a surgical site are rare, but they’re always a risk during surgery. However, an arthroscopy exposes very little of your tissues to the outside world because the surgical wound is tiny. Decreased exposure lowers the risk of infection and other complications.
However, rest assured that your doctor will clean and sterilize the surgical site. Just because an arthroscopy lowers the risk doesn’t mean that your doctor will be lax about the safety protocols.
Knee Pain Relief
After diagnosing your knee problems, your doctor can prescribe or perform the appropriate treatment. Arthroscopic knee surgery can address various knee conditions, including:
- Knee arthritis
- Sports injuries
- ACL reconstruction
The procedure also minimizes discomfort. Usually, local anesthesia is used in arthroscopic knee surgeries to block and numb sensation in your knees. However, you can discuss with your doctor if you need stronger anesthetization.
Improved Quality Of Life
Arthroscopic knee surgery can improve quality of life. Knee problems often limit your mobility and decrease strength, making it difficult to participate in your usual daily activities — especially sports and exercise.
An arthroscopy can help address your orthopedic condition, but it’s best to undergo physical therapy after the operation to maximize its benefits. Physical therapy helps you recover lost strength and flexibility; in some cases, you might find that you’re more physically capable after therapy than before the surgery!
Before Going Through Surgery
Arthroscopic knee surgery offers a lot of benefits. However, as with any surgery, it is critical to consult your doctor beforehand. They will need to run tests and assess your overall health condition. These factors may include:
- Age
- Weight
- Medical history
- Lifestyle
- Other underlying conditions
You should also know that even if your doctor recommends an arthroscopy, it’s still your decision. As licensed physicians, it is their responsibility to inform you of the risks, benefits, and other possible complications brought by the surgery. So, don’t be afraid to consult your healthcare provider regarding any questions and concerns you have about arthroscopic knee surgery.
Bone And Joint Specialists in North Dakota
Just because you’ve got a knee problem doesn’t mean that you have to go through the challenges of traditional surgery. Arthroscopic knee surgery offers many benefits and improvements over open surgery.
If you’re looking for specialists that offer quality bone and joint care, look no further than The Bone & Joint Center. We have great healthcare providers who have trained in multiple medical disciplines. We’ll be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
If you want to know more about our specialties and services, call us at (800) 424-2663. You may also schedule a consultation with our online appointment request form. Visit us today and let us help you with your knee pain!
