According to the latest data, at least 1 in 4 adults suffer from chronic knee pain. Knee problems can greatly affect your life. It can keep you from comfortably performing daily activities and it makes fitness routines much harder to do.
Even walking around your own home can be troublesome when your knees are not at their best. Ultimately, knee problems can easily keep you from enjoying life to its fullest.
Thanks to advancements in medical science and technology, you no longer have to endure chronic knee pain.
There are several procedures — some minimally-invasive — that can help determine and alleviate the root cause of your pain. Among these is knee arthroscopy.
What is Knee Arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a type of surgery that allows an orthopedic surgeon to see and treat the knee joint without the need for a large cut or incision through the skin and tissues. This is used for the treatment of a wide range of knee problems. It is a minor and minimally invasive surgery that is usually done on an outpatient basis.
How is Knee Arthroscopy Done?
When you undergo knee arthroscopy in the Spring Hill area, the orthopedic surgeon will make a small incision, just enough for the insertion of an arthroscope, a specialized small camera. The camera will be inserted into the knee joint to take images of your knee joint. These images are fed to a video monitor, serving as a guide for the surgeon as he uses miniature surgical instruments.
Because the surgeon only makes small incisions, knee arthroscopy is less painful compared to traditional surgery. It also results in little to no joint stiffness. Recovery is also faster.
When is Knee Arthroscopy Needed?
Knee arthroscopy surgery in Spring Hill & Brooksville is often recommended when a patient has a painful knee problem that does not respond to non-surgical treatments, such as oral medications, injections, physical therapy, and rest. This procedure is particularly helpful in relieving, if not eliminating, the symptoms of many issues associated with knee cartilage and soft tissue damage.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With Knee Arthroscopy?
Your surgeon will likely recommend knee arthroscopy if you have any of these common chronic and painful knee problems:
- A torn meniscus that needs to be removed or repaired
- A torn anterior cruciate ligament that can be reconstructed
- Inflamed synovial tissue that must be removed
- A damaged articular cartilage in need of trimming
- Loose bone or cartilage fragments that needs to be removed
- Kneecap (patella) problems
- Knee infection (sepsis)
How Long is the Recovery Time for Knee Arthroscopy?
Because knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, it requires a shorter recovery period than traditional surgery. In fact, it is an outpatient treatment. After surgery, the patient will be moved to the recovery room to take some rest and be observed by the surgeon or their staff. If there seems to be no complications, the patient can already go home within 1 to 2 hours after the surgery.
However, even if a knee arthroscopy surgery heals faster, it’s still necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure a full recovery. The surgeon will prescribe pain medications, as well as anticoagulants to keep blood clots from forming around the surgery site. They may also recommend rehabilitation exercises or therapy later on.
Is Knee Arthroscopy Effective?
Many people who undergo knee arthroscopy in the Spring Hill area, including Brooksville, return to their normal activities without any movement restrictions after their full recovery. However, the recovery will still depend on the severity of the knee problem that was corrected.
In general, most patients are able to perform physical activities around 8 weeks after their surgery, sometimes sooner. Patients need to remember not to perform high-impact activities for a longer time. Likewise, people whose jobs are physically demanding need to take a longer rest before they can go back to work.
Whether it’s your job or lifestyle that requires high-level physical activity, your doctor will provide the best recommendation as to when you can go back to doing your typical routine. However, if the knee problem was severe, it may not be completely reversed with arthroscopy.
Where to Get Knee Arthroscopy Surgery in Spring Hill – Brooksville?
Have you been experiencing knee pain and think that you may need knee arthroscopy? Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Imad E. Tarabishy, has the experience and qualifications to perform knee arthroscopy in Brooksville. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Dr. Tarabishy is one of the leaders in Spring Hill orthopedics.
Aside from knee arthroscopy surgery our orthopedic surgeon also performs the following procedures:
- Iovera treatment
- Knee replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
- Mako robotic surgery
- Carpal tunnel release
- Trigger finger release,
- and other orthopedic procedures.
To know whether knee arthroscopy is right for you, contact us today! You may also request an appointment to visit our orthopedic clinic in Brooksville, FL so our orthopedic specialist can better evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment option for you.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
