5 Benefits of Knee Arthroscopy

Injuries to the knee joint are extremely common. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons confirms that as the largest joint in your body, it’s the most easily injured. Typical knee injuries include sprain, fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears. 

Our experts successfully treat many knee injuries with simple measures such as bracing and rehabilitation exercises. Surgery may be necessary in other cases. We often use arthroscopies to diagnose and treat knee injuries.

To reduce pain or repair a knee injury, arthroscopy may be an excellent solution. In addition to comprehensive knee care, the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson provides knee arthroscopy, conservative treatment before surgery, and postoperative rehabilitation.

What’s knee arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a form of examining a joint. To examine your knee, the surgeon inserts an arthroscope through a small incision in your skin. This is a thin tube with a video camera at the end, along with a light source and a rinsing and suction device so that the doctor can fully view the joint structures. 

A screen will show your surgeon the interior of your knee. Once an issue with the knee has been identified, the surgeon may correct it using small instruments carried within the arthroscope. 

Who needs a knee arthroscopy?

Our experts at The Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson diagnose various knee problems via arthroscopy, including meniscus tears or misaligned patellas (kneecaps). These procedures can also treat ligament injuries. Any of the following may require an arthroscopy with a higher chance of needing surgery:

• Fracture
• Ligament tears
• Meniscus tears
• Kneecap dislocation
• Patella rupture
• Quad tendon ruptures
• Advanced arthritis
• Osteonecrosis 

Arthroscopic surgery treats all types of knee problems. The surgeons at The Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson are skilled in almost every kind of surgery, including ligament reconstruction, maintenance of meniscus, debridement, and knee replacement.

Benefits of a knee arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is primarily used to clarify joint problems and examine joint injuries. Here are the five most significant advantages to schedule a knee arthroscopy soon.

1. No wait time

An arthroscopy is especially helpful because it allows your provider to treat damage and injuries as soon as they are diagnosed. You no longer have to be diagnosed and treated months apart.

2. Low risk

In most cases, the risk of the procedure is limited and the outlook is good for the patient. Depending on the severity of your knee problem and the required procedure, recovery time, and prognosis may differ.

3. Minimally invasive

As part of arthroscopy, the doctor can often perform necessary operations with the help of tiny instruments, which are usually introduced into the joint through additional skin incisions. This procedure is also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery.

4. Less stress

Compared to the open surgical procedure, it has the advantage that healthy joint structures are spared, and your body is less stressed. This means pain after the operation is minor, and the healing time is usually shortened. 

5. Less pain and quick recovery

A knee arthroscopy treatment isn’t invasive, and for most patients, it’s finished in less than one hour. This is a same-day procedure, meaning you can leave our office and go home after, without waiting around in a hospital bed. Simply using an ice pack on your knee once you’re home minimizes pain and reduces swelling. 

Schedule a knee arthroscopy today

You don’t have to live with knee pain. Our board-certified physicians can quickly and efficiently diagnose your joint pain and create a customized treatment plan for you. Call the Orthopaedic Institute of Henderson today or request an appointment online for more information.