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- Patients should become comfortable with
crutch walking before an arthroscopic procedure on the knee or other joint of the leg.
- Complications from arthroscopy are rare,
but risks may include infection, swelling, synovial rupture, blood clots, numbness, and
joint injury.
- Patients are typically asked to fast the
night before and morning of the procedure.
- Arthroscopy may be performed using local
anesthesia. Patients may feel brief discomfort from the injection and the pressure of the
tourniquet on the joint. In some cases, general anesthesia may be given.
- Just before the procedure, a nurse may
shave the area of the joint where the insertion will be made.
- Monitoring equipment (EKG, pulse
oximeter, etc.) may be attached to the patient.
- Patients under local anesthesia may be
given a mild sedative to help them relax during the procedure.
What happens during
arthroscopy?
- An inflatable tourniquet is placed
around the joint to be examined.
- The joint is scrubbed according to
standard surgical procedure and a waterproof stocking net is applied.
- The limb (arm or leg) is elevated and
wrapped with an elastic bandage to drain as much blood from the limb and joint as
possible.
- The tourniquet is inflated and the
elastic bandage is removed so the local anesthetic can be given. Some surgeons choose not
to inflate the tourniquet.
- The joint is first distended (enlarged
or swollen) by injecting a normal saline solution. The joint is irrigated (flushed
continuously with a stream of saline) throughout the procedure and joint washings may be
collected and examined for loose bodies or cartilage fragments.
- The endoscope is inserted into the joint
through a small incision in the skin. While watching the inside of the joint through the
endoscope or on a monitor, the surgeon can probe and examine joint structures to check for
damage or disease.
- Surgical intervention or biopsy may be
performed if indicated.
- When the surgeon has completed the
diagnosis and/or treatment, the arthroscope, accessories and irrigating needles are
withdrawn and the joint is compressed to squeeze out excess irrigation fluid.
- Steroids or local anesthetics may be
injected into the joint for reduction of inflammation and postoperative pain control.
- The entry point incisions are closed
with sutures (stitches) or adhesive strips, and small dressings are applied to the wounds.
Splints or other compressive dressings and immobilizers may then be applied to the
extremity.
What Happens After
Arthroscopic Surgery?
- Ice is applied to the joint and the limb
should be kept elevated for an initial period to minimize swelling and pain.
- Patients should not drive or consume
alcohol for 24 hours after the procedure.
- Patients may resume their normal diet
after the test.
- The dressing should be kept clean and
dry.
- Patients should monitor the location of
the surgery for signs of bleeding, excessive numbness, tingling, swelling, or abnormal
pain and report them to their physician if present.
- The degree of physical activity and
weight bearing on the joint after surgery should be determined by the physician.
- Exercises and physical therapy are often
prescribed after the surgery.
Updated: November 2, 2007
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