Knee Arthroscopy

What is knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy is a common surgical technique used for diagnosing and treating various knee joint conditions. This exploratory “keyhole” procedure uses a small camera (arthroscope) and specialized surgical instruments to evaluate and repair any damaged tissues in and around the knee joint. The minimally invasive nature of a knee arthroscopy is often favored by both patients and doctors due to the minimized risk of blood loss and infection during the procedure while patients report reduced pain and inflammation following the procedure. Dr. Joseph D. Lamplot, orthopedic knee doctor, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who are in need of a knee arthroscopy.

What happens during a knee arthroscopy?

Arthroscopic knee surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure due to the shorter recovery period. The patient is appropriately situated and placed under anesthesia prior to the procedure. When stabilized, Dr. Lamplot will create a few small incisions at the level of the knee joint. The arthroscope (small camera) is inserted through a portal and the images are relayed onto a monitor for Dr. Lamplot to methodically examine the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments of the knee joint. A sterile saline solution is circulated continuously throughout a knee arthroscopy to increase the clarity of the knee joint structures. Specialized surgical instruments are then introduced into the knee joint to perform the necessary procedures based on Dr. Lamplot’s intra-operative findings. When the necessary corrections have been made, the arthroscope and surgical instruments are withdrawn and small sutures or steri-strips are applied to close the incisions.

What types of knee injuries can be repaired arthroscopically?

The knee arthroscopy procedure can be used to repair a number of different knee injuries and conditions, including:

Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Meniscus Injuries
Certain knee joint fractures (breaks)
Articular Cartilage Injuries

What is the recovery period like after arthroscopic knee surgery?

Although minimally invasive procedures, such as knee arthroscopy, often result in a shorter recovery period, the bones, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments still take the same amount of time to heal. The recovery process can also be greatly influenced by the patient’s compliance with Dr. Lamplot’s post-operative care instructions. It is common for most patients to return to their normal daily activities within approximately 6 weeks after successful knee arthroscopy. In general, patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL can expect the following:

If a nerve block was administered for anesthesia during the surgery, the repaired knee joint and lower extremity may continue to feel numb for several hours after surgery.
During the first few weeks of recovery, weight-bearing will be assisted with crutches or a walker.
It is normal to experience bruising, pain, swelling, and general discomfort during the first 7 to 10 days after knee arthroscopy. A combination of rest, ice application, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can manage these symptoms.
Active participation and completion of the individualized physical rehabilitation program are vital to knee arthroscopy success. Dr. Lamplot will make his recommendations for the timing of physical therapy based on his intra-operative findings.