Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows doctors to view the knee joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee problems.
During knee arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your knee joint. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.
Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, your surgeon can use very small incisions, rather than the larger incisions needed for open surgery. This results in less pain and joint stiffness for patients, and often shortens the time it takes to recover and return to favorite activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
To begin the procedure, the surgeon will make a few small incisions, called portals, in your knee. A sterile solution will be used to fill the knee joint and rinse away any cloudy fluid. This helps your orthopedic surgeon see the structures inside your knee clearly and in great detail.
Your surgeon will insert the arthroscope and surgical instruments through small incisions called portals.
Your surgeon's first task is to properly diagnose your problem. They will insert the arthroscope and use the image projected on the screen to guide it. If surgical treatment is needed, your surgeon will insert tiny instruments through other small incisions.
Specialized instruments are used for tasks like shaving, cutting, grasping, and meniscal repair. In many cases, special devices are used to anchor stitches into bone.
Most knee arthroscopy procedures last less than an hour. The length of the surgery will depend upon the findings and the treatment necessary.