Knee Arthroscopy
How do you treat loose bodies and some soft tissue damage within the knee? Alex Dodds, knee specialist for the Cotswolds, Cheltenham and Gloucester, explains.
What is a knee arthroscopy?
You might know arthroscopy by another name: keyhole surgery. In an arthroscopy, Alex inserts a tiny camera into small incisions made in the knee. The camera has surgical instruments attached to it, which enables him to clearly see what’s happening on the inside of the joint and collect, cut or trim any loose fragments.
What procedures is knee arthroscopy used to treat?
Alex’s knee surgery for The Cotswolds may use arthroscopy to treat a wide range of conditions including:
- The removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
- Trimming damaged cartilage which may break loose
- Removal of damaged parts of the meniscus (a meniscectomy)
- Removal of damaged or inflamed tissue
Additionally, arthroscopy may play a role in treating more significant conditions such as those explored here.
How long does it take to recover from a knee arthroscopy?
Recovery from arthroscopy typically takes two to six weeks.
Is knee arthroscopy suitable for managing osteoarthritis?
Not long ago, it was common for knee surgeons to attempt to reduce the pain of osteoarthritis by ‘washing out’ the joint using an arthroscopy. By removing any loose fragments, it was thought, a patient could have their symptoms improved and delay the need for more drastic surgery.
> Read more about knee osteoarthritis
We now know that arthroscopy for osteoarthritis is often ineffective at relieving pain and improving function, and any relief that a patient does feel is usually short lived.
Because any surgery carries risk (even if only a small risk) we no longer carry out arthroscopies for osteoarthritis although it can still be a valuable treatment for other conditions.
Knee surgery in Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds
If your knee is swollen or feels painful, or if it keeps locking or catching, talk to Alex Dodds, knee consultant for Gloucestershire.
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Appointments
To make an appointment please either fill in the contact form and you will be called back by our secretary to arrange a convenient appointment time or get in touch directly.
Call Chrissie Holmyard 01242 246549 at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham.
