Arthroscopy of the knee is a surgical procedure in which a small fiberoptic camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the knee joint through a small incision to see the inside of the knee joint. This enables Dr. Taylor to visualize the inside of the joint on a monitor in the operating room. Other small incisions are made through which specialized instruments are inserted to allow him to perform the procedure in the most minimally invasive way possible. During the procedure, fluid is inserted into the knee to distend the joint and allow for visualization. The knee is examined for damaged tissue. Arthroscopy is used for many procedures of the knee. The benefits of arthroscopy include smaller incisions, faster healing, more rapid recover, less scaring, and minimal blood loss. Patients commonly go home the same day of surgery.
Knee Arthroscopy
- Knee arthroscopy can take as little as 30 minutes for some procedures and is done on an outpatient basis, meaning you will be in and out of the hospital in the same day.
- Common reasons for arthroscopy include tears to the structures within the knee (torn meniscus, torn cartilage, loose fragments of cartilage or bone, inflamed synovial tissue, torn ACL, etc.).
- Like any surgical procedure, pre-operative tests may be ordered to ensure you are healthy for arthroscopy.