Knee arthroscopy has undergone many advances since its first use in 1912. It’s currently a favored solution for diagnosing and treating many painful knee conditions and injuries.
Dr. Sumit Dewanjee, MD, is the founder and team lead at FXRX Inc. in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona. He’s recognized as one of Phoenix’s top orthopedic surgeons, and knee arthroscopy is one of his many specialties.
Read more from our FXRX team regarding knee arthroscopy and what to expect after the procedure.
Knee arthroscopy is highly effective at confirming a diagnosis and treating the problem causing your knee symptoms.
During the procedure, Dr. Dewanjee makes several small incisions around the knee, using one to insert a tiny camera (arthroscope) to obtain a clear view of the joint's interior. Other incisions provide access for the surgical instruments he uses to repair the damaged joint.
This allows Dr. Dewanjee to identify and effectively treat torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, or inflamed tissue. Open knee surgery, on the other hand, requires long incisions to access the knee joint.
Because arthroscopy uses small incisions, it typically results in less postsurgical pain, quicker recovery times, and a lower risk of incision-site infection, bleeding, and other complications.
Additionally, arthroscopy is usually an outpatient procedure, allowing you to avoid an extensive hospital stay.
Dr. Dewanjee may recommend knee arthroscopy to clarify knee damage or treat issues that haven’t responded to conservative methods such as activity modification, orthopedic bracing, injection-based therapies, or physical therapy.
Common reasons for knee arthroscopy include:
Dr. Dewanjee also uses knee arthroscopy to diagnose issues that aren't clear from imaging tests. This is especially helpful since diagnosis and treatment can occur during a single procedure.
Expectations following knee arthroscopy can vary based on the type of injury, your overall health, and postsurgical goals.
Young athletes, for instance, may have different expectations than seniors recovering from an injury or treatment for a chronic condition like osteoarthritis.
Simple procedures like removing loose bodies may require just a few weeks of recovery. ACL reconstruction or more involved repairs could take several months of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Before scheduling your arthroscopy, Dr. Dewanjee discusses the procedure and expected recovery in detail.
Generally, though, recovery after knee arthroscopy includes:
Most people can return to light activities within a few days, but it may take several months to return to high-impact exercise or sports activities after knee arthroscopy.
You must follow Dr. Dewanjee’s instructions to find the right balance between rest and light mobility during this initial healing phase.
Doing too much too quickly can lead to further damage, but avoiding activity altogether can delay healing.
Mild discomfort, swelling, and stiffness can occur following knee arthroscopy. Pain management may include over-the-counter medications, icing, and elevation. Dr. Dewanjee may prescribe stronger pain medication if necessary.
Physical therapy is crucial to recovery and typically focuses on reducing pain, strengthening the muscles around the knee, improving mobility, and preventing future injury.
Dr. Dewanjee develops rehab guidelines based on the underlying reason for the procedure and future activity goals. This personalized approach helps speed recovery and typically includes a home exercise regimen that builds upon gains made during formal therapy sessions.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Dewanjee at FXRX today. Call our office in Phoenix or Tempe, Arizona, or request an appointment online.
