Reasons for a Knee Arthroscopy
A knee arthroscopy may be recommended for these knee problems:
- A torn meniscus: cartilage that cushions the space between the bones in the knee
- A damaged anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligament
- An inflamed or damaged lining of the knee joint
- Misalignment of the kneecap
- Small pieces of broken cartilage in the knee joint
- Treatment of Baker’s cyst: a fluid-filled, swelling behind the knee
- Certain fractures of the bones of the knee
What to expect with a Knee Arthroscopy
A knee arthroscopy procedure can take up to over an hour, depending on how much work the surgeon needs to do inside the knee joint. Sterile fluid will be pumped into your joint to help produce a clearer picture and then a surgeon inserts a fibre-optic video camera, or arthroscope, through a small incision which transmits the view inside the joint to a video monitor.
The surgeon will examine the knee joint and, if necessary, repair any damage or remove material that interferes with movement or causes pain in your knee. Afterward, the fluid is drained out and the incisions are closed with stitches or adhesive strips. A dressing and a bandage are then wrapped around the knee.
The length of the recovery will depend on the severity of the injuries treated.