Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to examine and diagnose issues within the knee joint. It is often used to confirm a diagnosis by image testing such as x-rays or MRI or CT scans. In a few cases, the arthroscopy incision can also be used to allow surgical instruments to make repairs to the joint.
A tube is inserted in a small incision in the knee containing a tiny camera, a light, and a magnifying lens during this procedure. The tube is moved around the joint to examine it more thoroughly and provide a more detailed diagnosis.
In some cases, additional instruments are put through the incision to repair issues, including mild arthritis, a torn meniscus, a torn ACL or PCL, synovitis, kneecap misalignment, or loose bone or cartilage.
Arthroscopic diagnosis and surgery offer several benefits to the patients, including less bleeding, scarring, and recovery time. It also means the patient can begin physical therapy and other activity sooner than traditional open knee surgery. Physical therapy tends to be more comfortable because muscles and tendons aren’t cut during the surgery.
© 2024 Princeton Orthopaedic Associates. The contents of princetonorthopaedic.com are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copying without permission is strictly forbidden.