Important Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Information: Learn More

We are maintaining regular hours and performing surgeries once again.

Orthopaedics New Englad
  • (203) 598-0700
  • Request An Appointment
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Providers
    • John M. Keggi, MD
    • Robert Edward Kennon, MD
    • James T. Prado, DC
  • Services & Specialties
    • - Hip
      Hip Arthritis
      Non-Operative Hip Treatment
      Hip Replacement & Hip Resurfacing

      - Knee
      Knee Arthritis
      Non-Operative Knee Treatment
      Knee Arthroscopy
      Knee Replacement

      - Revision Joint Replacement Surgery

      - Chiropractic
      Chiropractic Services
      Evolution of Chiropractic
      Holistic Philosophy

  • What to Expect
    • Day of Surgery
    • Post Surgery
  • Patient Information
  • Contact & Locations
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Meet Our Providers
    • John M. Keggi, MD
    • Robert Edward Kennon, MD
    • James T. Prado, DC
  • Services & Specialties
    • - Hip
      Hip Arthritis
      Non-Operative Hip Treatment
      Hip Replacement & Hip Resurfacing

      - Knee
      Knee Arthritis
      Non-Operative Knee Treatment
      Knee Arthroscopy
      Knee Replacement

      - Revision Joint Replacement Surgery

      - Chiropractic
      Chiropractic Services
      Evolution of Chiropractic
      Holistic Philosophy

  • What to Expect
    • Day of Surgery
    • Post Surgery
  • Patient Information
  • Contact & Locations

Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Knee Arthroscopy

Many patients may have a problem within the knee that keeps it from moving and functioning normally.

Symptoms such as locking, catching, clicking, popping, and buckling or giving way are often caused by a loose body or torn cartilage within the joint. If the problem is not evident in a diagnostic image such as X-ray or MRI, the only way to know definitively what is causing the symptom is to look inside the knee joint to find and correct the problem.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique, typically performed on an outpatient basis, that involves looking within the knee joint using a fiber optic video camera (arthroscope) and small instruments.

Before arthroscopic surgery existed, orthopaedic surgeons had to make large incisions to open the knee joint and perform surgery, a procedure that disrupted the surrounding joint structures and tissues. Arthroscopy requires small incisions and is much less invasive than traditional surgical methods, resulting in less pain, decreased risk of infection, and shorter recovery period.

At Orthopaedics New England, we may recommend knee arthroscopy if your knee pain does not respond to conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medication, or injections. By performing knee arthroscopy, we can diagnose and treat a number of common problems within the knee:

  • Remove a loose piece of bone
  • Trim or repair a torn area of articular cartilage
  • Remove or repair a torn meniscus
  • Remove excessive synovial lining or scar tissue
  • Wash out an infection within the knee joint
  • Smooth out roughened joint surfaces or cartilage
  • Stimulate formation of scar tissue to fill in an osteochondral defect
  • Reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
  • Determine the extent of arthritis and damage (this is particularly helpful for deciding whether a patient needs a partial or total knee replacement)

The Procedure

Most arthroscopic procedures are performed using a combination of local anesthetic injections and light sedation. While the length of the surgery will depend upon the diagnosis and treatment necessary, simple procedures, such as trimming a torn meniscus or removing a loose body, typically only take about 30 minutes or so.

  1. The surgeon will make at least two small incisions, typically less than ¼-inch long, near your knee joint. The arthroscope is inserted through one incision while the other incision is for whatever instrument the surgeon will need to treat the problem. During the procedure, images from the camera are projected onto a monitor to guide the surgeon.Arthroscopy instruments can take photographs or record live video of the image displayed on the monitor. Many surgeons will keep these photos for later reference in case the patient has any future knee problems, such as arthritis.
  2. A sterile saline (saltwater) solution is pumped into the joint through the arthroscope. This allows the surgeon to wash away any blood or material removed (such as meniscal trimmings or loose bodies). It also expands the space, which allows your surgeon a better view of your joint structures and ensures there is plenty of room to safely work with the small instruments.
  3. Depending on the diagnosis, your surgeon may make additional small incisions for other surgical instruments needed to treat the problem.
  4. When the procedure is complete, your surgeon may inject your joint with medication to reduce pain and inflammation, close each incision with a stitch or Steri-Strips, and cover your knee with a soft bandage.

After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room until you are fully awake and comfortable. Upon discharge, you will be given post-op instructions. You will need to elevate your leg and apply ice to your joint to help reduce pain and swelling. Some procedures may require limited weight bearing with crutches afterwards. Depending on the exact procedure performed, most patients can return to work within 1 to 3 weeks.

If you have knee pain that won’t go away, make an appointment with one of our knee surgeons, Dr. John Keggi or Dr. Robert Kennon, in Middlebury, New Milford, or Farmington, Connecticut. Call (203) 598-0700 today or you can request an appointment online.

Orthopaedics New England

Footer

Patient Education

Our award-winning patient education library contains over 200 articles with images, videos, and tons of helpful information about orthopedic conditions and treatments.

Learn more

Patient Reviews

We feel fortunate to have received reflections from our patients. We invite you to leave a review as well as read about the experiences others have had.

  • Leave a Review
  • Read Reviews

Blogs and Social Media

View our Blogs and Social Media

Hip and Knee Surgery

A Patient's Guide to Hip Replacement, Hip Resurfacing, Knee Replacement, and Knee Arthroscopy.

Preview this book and order online on Amazon.

Locations

We have three offices conveniently located throughout western Connecticut:
● Middlebury, CT ● Farmington, CT ● New Milford CT

Privacy Policy ● Sitemap

Copyright © Orthopaedics New England. All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Orthopaedics New England provides orthopedic care to residents of Waterbury, Middlebury, New Milford, Farmington, and surrounding communities in western Connecticut. Our orthopedic surgeons, Dr. John Keggi and Dr. Robert Kennon specialize in hip replacement and resurfacing, knee replacement, revision of failed joint replacements, hip and knee arthroscopy, and adult fracture care.