Impaired knees can affect a patient’s life on a daily basis. It can be difficult to live with chronic pain and immobility in your knee joint. When your knee condition starts to impair your ability to perform your normal activities, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic knee surgery.
This surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure that allows doctors to view and treat the source of knee joint pain and immobility. The operation is performed through a series of small incisions, rather than one large incision. Below, learn more about arthroscopic knee surgery and whether it might be the right solution for you.
What happens during arthroscopic knee surgery?
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a procedure used to diagnose problems in the knee such as a torn meniscus, a misaligned patella, fractured knee bones, and more. During surgery, a small incision is made in order to insert a small camera into the patient’s knee. Once the surgeon diagnoses the problem through a monitor, corrections can be made using very small instruments.
Arthroscopic knee surgery is performed by a surgeon and is a very low-risk procedure. Patients will receive either local, regional, or general anesthesia before surgery, which typically lasts about an hour. Recovery time varies based on the damage found during the procedure but patients usually go home the day of surgery.
Are there alternatives to arthroscopic knee surgery?
If your doctor tells you that you need arthroscopic knee surgery, it’s usually because you’ve tried other options without success. There are a few alternatives to arthroscopic knee surgery. However, you’ll want to check with your doctor to see if any are a good option for you.
- Knee osteotomy – A knee osteotomy is an option for younger patients with minimal knee damage. The surgery is typically used for patients with a knee deformity or damage to only one side of their knee. It offers pain relief by shifting the weight-bearing load off the damaged part of a knee. A knee osteotomy is typically not a permanent solution.
- Corticosteroid injections – Corticosteroid injections, commonly called cortisone shots, are a non-invasive way to relieve knee pain. These injections help increase natural joint fluid and ease the friction between the bones in your joint. Corticosteroid injections can last up to 6 months or more.
- Physical therapy – Physical therapy can help strengthen a patient’s knees. By strengthening the muscle around your joint, you may be able to relieve some pressure on the damaged bone or cartilage. A physical therapist may also suggest weight loss to take some of the pressure off compromised knees.
The type of procedure you get will depend on your personal health and your doctor’s recommendations. Feel free to ask your doctor why they’re recommending any procedure. If you’re unsure about their recommendations, feel free to get a second opinion.
How much should you pay for arthroscopic knee surgery?
Your doctor has probably recommended arthroscopic knee surgery because you have been suffering from joint pain or immobility that is affecting your everyday life. Don’t let the high cost of orthopedic surgery keep you from experiencing the pain relief that you need. By learning about the different factors that can affect the cost of your surgery, you can figure out how to find the best price for your procedure. Visit New Choice Health’s arthroscopic knee surgery cost information page to find out how to find a fair price for your surgery today.
