What is knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy is joint surgery done with a scope put into your knee through several small cuts.

When is it used?

This procedure is used to find the cause of pain, swelling, tenderness, or weakness in your knee and repair any damage to the knee.

How do I prepare for this procedure?

• Make plans for your care and recovery after you have the procedure. Find someone to give you a ride home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find other people to help with your day-to-day tasks while you recover.
• You may or may not need to take your regular medicines the day of the procedure. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements that you take. Some products may increase your risk of side effects. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to avoid taking any medicine or supplements before the procedure.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have any food, medicine, or other allergies such as latex.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure. This helps to keep you from vomiting during the procedure.
• Follow your provider’s instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers may have more breathing problems during the procedure and heal more slowly. It’s best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery.
• Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do. You have the right to make decisions about your healthcare and to give permission for any tests or procedures.

What happens during the procedure?

You will be given medicine called anesthesia to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure. You may have:

• Local anesthesia, which numbs part of your body where you will have the procedure.
• General anesthesia, which relaxes your muscles and you will be asleep. A breathing tube is usually put in your throat when you have general anesthesia.

Your provider will make several small cuts near your knee. Your provider will put fluid in the knee so that it is easier to see with an arthroscope, which is a lighted tube with a camera. Your provider can put the scope and tools through the small cuts to find and repair damage to your knee. If the problem cannot be fixed with this procedure, you may need open knee surgery.

After the procedure your provider will close the small cuts with stitches or sticky tape.

What happens after the procedure?

You can usually go home the same day as your surgery. You may need to use crutches until you can walk without pain. You may need to do physical therapy exercises for a few months to help make the joint strong again.

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

What are the risks of this procedure?

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Some possible risks of this procedure include:

• You may have problems with anesthesia.
• You may have infection, bleeding, or blood clots.

Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.