Knee Arthroscopy Dallas & Frisco, Texas

What Is Knee Arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows our orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat problems in the knee joint without performing an extensive, open-knee surgery. During this operation, our orthopedic surgeons use a type of imaging technology called an arthroscope to see inside your knee. This small fiber-optic camera allows your surgeon to magnify images of the internal knee onto a larger monitor in order to closely examine the joint and perform whatever treatment is necessary.

The technique of arthroscopy offers less of a risk for potential complications—such as blood clots, infection, and other issues—than an open knee procedure would have. A reduced risk of complications and a significantly shorter recovery time makes this type of procedure popular among patients with knee problems. In addition to getting a closer look at the injury and confirming diagnoses, knee arthroscopy surgery also allows our orthopedic surgeons to:

• Fix fractures of the joint surface
• Remove loose bodies
• Reconstruct torn ligaments
• Repair articular cartilage
• Remove or repair a torn meniscus
• Otherwise address each patient’s specific problem

Who Can Benefit from Knee Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that many patients with common knee injuries can benefit from. However, not every patient with knee joint pain is a good candidate for this procedure. If you want to relieve pain in your knee from an injury, repair torn cartilage, or restore function to your knee, you may benefit from arthroscopic surgery.

Many people who undergo an arthroscopic procedure on their knee have tried non-surgical options beforehand. However, sometimes the damage is serious enough to recommend knee arthroscopy, but not serious enough to warrant open surgery. Your surgeon will be able to evaluate the status of your knee injuries and determine which surgical treatment is right for you.

What Are the Advantages of Knee Arthroscopy?

Depending on the severity of your joint injury, arthroscopy may be a better option in terms of treatment. While arthroscopy and open surgery can both effectively treat many of the same conditions, arthroscopy has a few advantages over open surgery, such as the following.

• Only a few small incisions rather than one large incision
• Generally less pain for the patient
• Arthroscopy can act as diagnosis and treatment in the same session
• Less bleeding during surgery, reducing the possibility of a blood transfusion
• Lesser risk of complications in general
• Shorter amount of time in the recovery room and shorter recovery period as a whole
• Smaller scars and less scar tissue
• Options for local anesthesia, regional anesthesia, or general anesthesia

In many cases, depending on the extent of the surgery, patients can begin working with a physical therapist as soon as a few days post-op. Until you begin physical therapy, you will likely need to keep your leg elevated, take pain medication as needed, and use cold packs to reduce swelling. Speak with your orthopedic specialist for information on what you should and shouldn’t do after your surgery.

What Conditions Are Treated by a Knee Arthroscopy?

Our Frisco and Dallas knee arthroscopy surgery is designed to diagnose and treat a number of knee conditions caused by injury. Injuries of the knees are extremely common among both older and younger generations. General wear and tear and aging is a common cause of knee injury, as well as acute and overuse injuries that may stem from participation in recreational activities and sports. Home projects and everyday, work-related tasks may also contribute to knee joint complications.

Some more specific examples of injuries that knee arthroscopy treats include the following:

• Knee sprains, strains, and other ligament/tendon injuries
• Fractures
• Knee instability
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears
• PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) tears
• Dislocation of the kneecap or joint
• Osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis
• Plica syndrome
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Sore knees
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Bursitis
• Popliteal cysts
• Osgood-Schlatter disease
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Infections

To see if arthroscopic knee surgery can help in treating your condition, reach out to the specialists at SPORT today. We are able to assess your individual condition and provide options for treatment and rehabilitation to get you back up and moving around freely in no time.

How Much Does a Knee Arthroscopy Cost?

There are a number of variables that affect the cost of Frisco or Dallas knee arthroscopy surgery. The first thing that should be taken into account when determining the price of knee arthroscopy is whether or not the patient is insured and by whom. The price of surgery varies between insurance providers, as some may offer considerable coverage plans while others may not. If you don’t have health insurance at all, you can expect to pay for the procedure out of pocket. If this is the case, ask your doctor if they offer payment plans and/or non-insurance options.

Another contributing factor to the cost of knee arthroscopy is the setting of the facility in which the procedure is performed. If you have an inpatient procedure in a hospital setting, expect to pay much more than you might in an outpatient center such as SPORT. The difference in price may be anywhere between $15,000 to upwards of $20,000 for inpatient surgery and $3,000 to upwards of $10,000 for outpatient surgery.

The location of the facility, type of injury being treated, and fees required by your doctor also weigh into the final cost of a Dallas knee arthroscopy surgery. To receive the best estimate for your procedure cost, be sure to schedule a consultation with our providers today.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Knee Arthroscopy?

One of the most appealing aspects of arthroscopic procedures is their shorter recovery time. Because it is so much less invasive than open-knee surgery, the time spent on the surgery and the time spent recovering from it are both significantly reduced. The surgery itself generally takes no longer than an hour to complete and you will likely be able to return home within the same day.

During the first few days following surgery, it is important to keep your knee elevated and iced to reduce any pain and swelling. You may need about 6 weeks to fully recover from this procedure, depending on the injury treated and the recommendations of your doctor. You will need to limit your physical activity until you regain your knee strength and movement and your doctor clears you.

What to Expect After a Knee Arthroscopy?

While it is a minimally invasive procedure, you should still expect a moderate amount of pain and swelling following your knee arthroscopy. This should diminish within a few days post-op. Within these first few days, it is recommended that you remain bandaged and stay off your knee as much as possible. Give yourself a couple of days of downtime to promote a healthy and fast recovery.

These are potential complications that accompany any type of surgery, no matter how minimal. Knee arthroscopy is no different. In addition to pain and swelling, there are other risks that can come along with this procedure. Although rare, potential risks after a knee arthroscopy include but are not limited to:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Allergic reactions
• Problems with anesthesia
• Blood clots
• Stiffness in the knee
• Damage to ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, nerves, or meniscus

Once you recover from your arthroscopy, you may need to attend physical therapy in Dallas to help strengthen your muscles and restore your full range of motion.

Can You Walk Right After an Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Immediately following surgery, patients are typically able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking. However, it is advisable to give your knee a few days of rest, ice, and elevation before walking around on it. Depending on the severity of your injury and the type of surgery performed, you may actually need to keep your knee immobilized for about 1-2 weeks post-op. This is not to say that you won’t physically be able to walk on it, but rather that you shouldn’t. A few days to a few weeks of rest allows proper healing of the knee following surgery.

Is Knee Arthroscopy Major Surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery would not typically be classified as a “major” surgery due to its unobtrusive nature and the fact that it does not involve any major organs. Because the procedure is significantly less invasive than a general surgical procedure, it results in less scarring, quicker healing and rehabilitation, and a reduced risk of infection, among many other benefits. However, while knee arthroscopy is minimally invasive and reduces the chance of infection among other complications, it cannot eliminate them completely.

Though certain risks are always present with any kind of surgery, major or minor, the benefits of an arthroscopic knee surgery tend to outweigh the risks.

Risks and Complications of Knee Arthroscopy

Due to the nature of surgery, even minor procedures come with a certain degree of risk. Although complications are rare, they are still entirely possible when surgeons make an incision into someone’s joint and soft tissues. The rare potential complications and risks associated with knee arthroscopy include the following.

• Infections
• Joint stiffness
• Damaged cartilage
• Nerve damage
• Blood clots
• Pain and swelling

The chance of complications often correlates with a surgeon’s skills and experience. Luckily, the orthopedic surgeons at SPORT have years of experience performing all manner of knee surgeries, including arthroscopy. You can rest assured that you’re in good hands when you work with our sports medicine team.

Knee Arthroscopy Surgery in Dallas and Frisco, Texas

If you are experiencing knee pain, Dallas knee arthroscopy surgery might be a good option for you. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained Dallas orthopaedic surgeons of SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy are experts in knee arthroscopy procedures and can help in properly diagnosing you and helping you achieve pain relief. When you visit SPORT, you can rest assured knowing you’ll be back on your feet and back in the game in no time at all. To schedule an appointment, call (469) 200-2832 or fill out our online intake form today.