Knee Arthroscopy in Houston

If you struggle with a painful knee injury or degenerative knee problem, you might be surprised to learn how much of your discomfort may stem from tiny tears and other small areas of damage. A torn ligament or stray fragment of cartilage can severely reduce your knee’s ability to bear your weight and move properly. Fortunately, you may not need an invasive “open” knee surgery to fix the problem if you have ready access to knee arthroscopy in Houston.

What Is Knee Arthroscopy?

Surgeon is doing some Knee Arthroscopy surgery to the patients kneeKnee arthroscopy involves the use of specialized tools and technologies to view and correct internal knee problems as non-invasively as possible. Instead of creating a single large incision to expose the internal components of the knee joint, the surgeon makes a few tiny cuts.

These cuts allow for the insertion of thin, elongated surgical tools, complete with a miniature light and camera. The surgeon can examine the knee problem in detail, confirm the diagnosis, and then make precise moves to extract or reconnect damaged tissues.

Why Would You Need Knee Arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy can help orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of knee injuries and conditions. You might need this kind of surgical repair if you have an old injury that has failed to respond to conservative treatments such as rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication. You might also need an arthroscopy to confirm a diagnosis if X-rays and other diagnostic techniques can’t confirm the location or severity of the problem. Knee arthroscopy can prove highly useful if you suffer from any of the following issues:

  • athlete fractured his knee while doing some exercise at the gym Baker’s cyst – This fluid-filled swelling can develop at the back of the knee, often in conjunction with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
  • Patella misalignment – If your kneecap is out of position, you can experience chronic knee instability.
  • Fractures – Certain kinds of knee fractures may require surgical treatment to ensure proper bone knitting and recovery.
  • Torn soft tissues – If you’ve torn a ligament or a piece of cartilage in your knee, the resulting pain and stiffness may require arthroscopic surgery.
  • Damaged synovium – You might need arthroscopic surgery to treat damage or swelling in the knee joint’s lining, or synovium.

What Should You Expect From the Surgery?

Surgeon doing some Knee Arthroscopy Surgery at Houston When you show up for the surgery, your surgeon may recommend a local, regional, or general anesthetic, depending on your specific condition and needs. Most people who undergo arthroscopy can go home within an hour or two of the procedure’s completion. Due to the anesthetic and the need to rest the knee afterward, you should arrange in advance for someone to see you safely home.

After anesthetizing you and creating a few tiny portals into the knee, the surgeon will wash out the knee joint with a sterile solution. This step can make the internal details of the joint easier to see through the arthroscopic instruments. The surgeon will then insert the self-illuminated, camera-equipped arthroscope into one of the portals to examine the problem via a video monitor.

If your problem can be fixed with minimally-invasive surgery, the surgeon will use the other incisions as portals for long, thin surgical tools. The entire procedure will be performed using these tools, after which the surgeon will remove the tools and close the tiny cuts in the skin. You’ll need to rest and favor the knee during your recuperation, but recovery should be much swifter than recovery from traditional surgery.

Let NW Surgery Help You

Surgeon is walking in the hospital hall at NW surgery Center Houston

NW Surgery is the ideal solution when you’re in need of any kind of advanced extremity or spine surgery. Since 1999, our physician-owned facility has performed a wide range of procedures with great success, earning our reputation as Houston’s leading orthopedic surgery and pain management resource.

At NW Surgery, we believe in the value of treating patients as individuals. We can connect you with the most skilled and experienced practitioner for your specific needs. We also extend our services to patients without health insurance, although we also honor a variety of policies from many popular insurance providers. Our top priority is always to give you the best care you can possibly receive for your orthopedic problem.

Take Advantage of Our Arthroscopic Expertise

Get over your nagging knee pain, stiffness, and/or instability without subjecting the joint to traditional surgery. Contact NW Surgery today, and obtain a referral to a top-quality specialist for knee arthroscopy in Houston.