Introduction
Knee arthroscopy allows surgeons to look inside
your knee, repair torn ligaments and remove
damaged parts. Two small (~5mm) incisions
are made on the front of the knee. A fiber
optic camera is inserted in through one
incision, and an instrument is inserted in
through the other incision. The surgeon
can then examine and repair the knee in ways
that previously required large incisions and
longer rehab. A knee scope is the most
commonly performed orthopedic surgery today
because of it relative ease and speed of
surgery, quick return to function, and multitude
of knee problems that can be addressed with a
knee scope.
Most patients go home after a knee scope.
The knee will likely be swollen for 3-5 days and
patients may or may not require crutches for a
few days. Most patients will not have
restrictions after surgery. Patients can
usually resume normal activities and return to
work within 2-3 weeks. Pain medicine is
usually prescribed for about 3-4 weeks as
needed.
The most common indication for a knee scope is a
meniscal tear. A meniscal tear is often
referred to as a torn piece of cartilage.
Typically, older patients have degenerative
tears that are cleaned up (debrided), and
younger patients have traumatic sports related
injuries that may be either cleaned up or
repaired. A meniscal tear that is treated
without surgery will not likely injure the knee
any further or cause arthritis, but may cause
chronic pain in the knee. Surgery (knee
scope) is therefore an option, but not a
requirement.
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