PROCEDURES

ARTHROSCOPY

What is knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery done to either diagnose or treat knee conditions. It can be done for explorative reasons to get a better look at the inner workings of the knee to find out what the cause of pain may be. It can also be done as a surgery method to treat the problem found.

What does treatment involve?

When Dr Heymans is unsure of the diagnosis, he may advise a knee arthroscopy to investigate the problem. Knee arthroscopy is usually done under general anaesthesia since the condition is often treated at the same time as diagnosis. Dr Heymans will make small puncture-like incisions in the knee and pump saline solution into the knee to allow for a better view. He will then insert an arthroscope. This arthroscope is fitted with a small camera that allows him to see the internal knee on a screen. This way he can diagnose the cause of pain. Using small surgical tools, he can also perform surgery this way for meniscus tears, debridement of cartilage and inflammation, misaligned patella, torn ligaments and fractures in the knee. After correcting the issue, the saline solution is drained, and the small incisions are closed with stitches.

What can I expect in terms of recovery?

This surgery is minimally invasive, meaning that healing and pain afterwards will be minimal. Depending on what surgery is done in addition to the exploratory arthroscopy, recovery may differ. Your recovery time and the process will depend on the severity of the knee problem and the complexity of the surgery that was done. Dr Heymans will be able to advise on the recovery process and what you can expect afterwards.

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