Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a variety of issues within the knee joint. The knee joint is composed of bone, soft tissue, and cartilage, and any one of these can develop problems. Traditionally, knee surgeries were performed as open surgeries, where large incisions had to be made, the pain was very bad, plus patients had to stay in the hospital for days and were still looking at a long road to recovery.
Advances in surgical technology have made it possible to perform knee surgeries with smaller incisions using miniaturized specialized tools and tiny cameras. As a result, patients go home sooner, experience less pain, and have a lower risk of complications. They also recover faster.
In this article, we will go through 7 of the most common knee injuries that can be treated with arthroscopic knee surgery, and where you can go to Bismarck, North Dakota, for arthroscopic knee surgery.
#1 ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tears
One of the most common sports injuries, an ACL tear can be extremely painful and may require reconstructive surgery. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction or debridement (removal of damaged tissue) may be necessary to stabilize the joint and relieve pain.
#2 PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) Ligament Tear
The PCL is one of the ligaments that provide stability to the knee, and just like the ACL, it can become torn. Arthroscopic repair of the PCL involves the removal of the damaged PCL, preparation for the graft, and replacement with a healthy ligament.
#3 Meniscal Tears
A torn meniscus can cause severe pain and swell in the knee joint. Arthroscopic repair or removal (meniscectomy) may be required to relieve symptoms of a meniscus tear and restore function to the knee.
#4 Loosened Hard and Soft Tissue
Small pieces of bone or cartilage that have broken off from a structure in the knee can cause pain and swelling as they float around inside the joint space. These “loose bodies” can often be removed arthroscopically without any further treatment necessary.
#5 Patellar Tendinitis/Tendonitis
Inflammation or degeneration of the patellar tendon, which connects your kneecap to your shinbone, can lead to pain and difficulty straightening your leg. During arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon can remove the diseased part of the tendon, as well as perform a cleaning of the damaged area to ease the symptoms.
#6 Articular Cartilage Damage
The articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. This tissue can become damaged due to injury or disease, causing pain and stiffness in the affected joint. Arthroscopic surgery can repair or remove damaged cartilage to improve symptoms.
#7 Inflamed Synovial Tissue
The ends of the bones in the knee are covered with cartilage, and a thin membrane called synovium lines the joint. This tissue produces synovial fluid, which lubricates and protects the cartilage. If this tissue becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and stiffness in the knee. Arthroscopy can be used to remove inflamed synovial tissue.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in Bismarck, ND
The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at The Bone & Joint Center are highly trained and experienced in arthroscopic knee surgery. We use this highly advanced method to treat a variety of knee conditions and provide a comprehensive rehabilitation program that we make available on-site for all our patients. To schedule an appointment with one of our knee surgeons, call our office today at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 or use our online request form.
