Untreated or mismanaged soft tissue knee injuries can keep you on the bench for more than just a season of your favorite sport. At Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Oxford and West Chester, Ohio, orthopedic surgeon Ronald Hess, MS, DO, performs arthroscopic knee surgery to help you recover from cartilage, ligament, and tendon injuries affecting the knee. Schedule a knee surgery consultation by phone or book online at any of the three locations today.
Arthroscopic knee surgery, or knee arthroscopy, is a minimally invasive surgery that Dr. Hess uses to diagnose, assess, and treat various soft tissue injuries in the knee. Arthroscopy stands out from open surgery because it requires a series of small incisions called portals instead of a larger incision with the potential for more damage.
Knee arthroscopy also lets you recover with minimal knee scarring, postoperative bleeding, and pain during the healing period.
During arthroscopy, Dr. Hess inserts a high-resolution camera with a light on the end in one of the incisions so he can see the inside of the joint on a nearby screen. Through other tiny incisions, he makes repairs using small surgical instruments. For a clearer view, he expands the knee with saline.
Arthroscopic knee surgery can repair any soft tissue injuries that commonly happen in the knee, whether acute or degenerative. Dr. Hess recommends knee arthroscopy if conservative treatments cannot heal your:
The meniscus is a rubbery cartilage structure that absorbs shock between your thigh and shin bones. Meniscus tears are some of the most common injuries, and Dr. Hess can use knee arthroscopy to remove damaged sections and make repairs.
The knee includes a network of ligaments to keep it stable and support its movement. Dr. Hess can use knee arthroscopy to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), or the lateral collateral ligament.
The patellar tendon attaches your kneecap to the top of the tibia or shin bone. Knee arthroscopy can repair a patellar tendon tear.
After knee surgery for any soft tissue injury, you’ll need to take part in some aftercare to strengthen the ligaments, tendons, quadriceps muscles, and other structures involved in knee movement.
Recovery after knee arthroscopy does not take as long as the recovery after open knee surgery, but you’ll still need to be diligent about attending physical therapy and following all other instructions for healing. You should keep your leg elevated as much as possible in the first few days and use ice to reduce swelling.
Typically, it takes 6-8 weeks to recover enough to take part in your usual routine. It’ll take a bit longer to get back to strenuous activities and exercises.
To learn more about knee arthroscopy and determine if it’s the best option for treating your knee injury, call Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today.
