Knee injuries and conditions cause a great deal of pain. Knee pain, accompanied by knee stiffness and loss of mobility, can make even simple activities challenging.
While most of the time, knee pain gets better with conservative measures, other times when knee pain fails to improve the conservative measures, knee arthroscopy is recommended.
Let’s learn more about arthroscopic knee surgery, when it is recommended, and where you can go for this surgery in North Dakota.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic knee surgery, also known as knee arthroscopy, is a minimally invasive procedure in which a thin, long tube with a camera on one end is used to diagnose and treat a knee injury or condition.
During knee arthroscopy, a keyhole size incision is made, through which an arthroscope is inserted. They may also treat the problem in the same setting if needed and possible.
When is Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Recommended?
Typically, your orthopedic doctor will recommend arthroscopic knee surgery if:
You Have Persistent Knee Pain
Knee arthroscopy is often recommended for people who experience persistent knee pain that is not improving with nonsurgical treatments like rest, medications, physical therapy, bracing or splinting, etc.
An orthopedic doctor uses an arthroscope to look inside the knee joint to determine the cause of the pain and give a diagnosis. If needed and possible, they may also treat the problem in the same sitting.
You Have Sustained a Knee Injury
Most knee injuries affect the cartilage and ligament of the knee joint. Arthroscopic knee surgery allows your doctor to examine better the cartilage, bone, and soft tissues inside the knee joint and identify the injured tissue. Arthroscopic knee surgery can also treat injured knee tissue.
Common injuries for which knee arthroscopy is recommended include:
- Meniscus tear
- Torn or damaged knee ligament (anterior cruciate ligament or posterior cruciate ligament)
- Swollen or damaged knee joint lining
- Fracture of the bones of the knee joint
- Dislocated (out of position) kneecap
You Have Loose Bodies in Knee
Arthroscopic knee surgery is also recommended when your orthopedic doctor suspects loose bodies in your joint. These loose bodies can be bone or cartilage fragments that float inside the joint space. Arthroscopic knee surgery can remove these loose bodies without any further treatment.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Treatment in North Dakota
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive and lower-risk surgical option for the treatment of knee pain caused by knee injuries and conditions.
At The Bone & Joint Center, we have highly trained and board-certified knee doctors in our team of orthopedic physicians and surgeons. Our knee doctors are specialized in offering treatments for a wide variety of knee conditions and injuries using nonsurgical, surgical, and minimally invasive options.
If you would like to know more about the treatments we offer or would like to arrange a consultation with us, call today at (800) 424-2663 or request an appointment online.