Knee Arthroscopy

Various types of anesthesia are used for different procedures. Some are local. Below the skin, numbing agents block sensation in a limited area, such as your knee. The most you will feel during an arthroscopy is pressure or movement within the joint.

Patients may use crutches or a walker for a few days after surgery if they are in pain. One or two weeks after surgery, most people are able to walk with a minimal limp. In most cases, patients experience a benefit from arthroscopic knee surgery within four to six weeks.

Pain usually subsides within two to three weeks, but it may take up to six weeks. The whole knee may swell. Tenderness around the wound sites may last for four weeks. As swelling and pain decrease, muscle wasting in the thigh improves.

It usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete an arthroscopy, depending on the type of procedure conducted. On the day of surgery or the following morning, you will be able to go home.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive technique of making repairs to the knee ligament or meniscus. The highly advanced procedure has an over 90 percent success rate. Arthroscopy involves the use of smaller incisions and specialized tools to perform the repairs.

For the first four to six weeks following surgery, avoid long walks. Continue to ice the knee to reduce pain and swelling.

When you choose to sleep on your side, roll over to the non-surgery side with a pillow between your knees. Only sleep in this position if you’re unable to get comfortable on your back, and be sure not to bend your knees.

There are very few complications associated with arthroscopy. These include tissue or nerve damage. The instruments can damage the structures of the joint when they are placed and moved within it.

It is recommended that you bend and straighten your knee as much as pain allows immediately after standard knee arthroscopy. For the first few days, your knee may be swollen and full-motion may be difficult.