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| THE ARTHROSCOPIC MENISECTOMY PROCEDURE |
| WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PROCEDURE? |
| You will be given a general, regional, or local anesthetic. Which type depends on you, your anesthesiologist, and your surgeon. A general anesthetic will relax your muscles, and make you feel as if you are in a deep sleep. Both local and regional anesthetics numb part of your body while you remain awake. All three types of anesthesia should keep you from feeling pain during the operation. |
| The surgeon will put an arthroscope and one or two tools into the knee joint through small incisions (cuts). Fluid is injected into the knee to expand the joint so that the structures and cartilage can be seen. The surgeon will examine the knee to find any damage. He may repair torn cartilage, or shave down the cartilage in the knee, and/or remove pieces of cartilage. The arthroscope and tools are then removed, and the incisions are closed with stitches. |
| WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROCEDURE? |
| Arthroscopy may treat the knee without the need for open knee surgery with bigger incisions. There is also more rapid recovery than with open knee surgery. |
| WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE? |
| You will go home the same day, and should keep your leg elevated. Take it easy for at least the next 2 to 3 days. Do not take part in any strenuous activities until your doctor feels that you are ready. |
| AFTER YOUR ARTHROSCOPY PROCEDURE: |
| Use crutches for 1 to 2 days, or until you can walk nearly normally |
| Elevate your leg so that your ankle is higher than your knee, and your knee is higher than your hip |
| Put ice on your knee for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times per day until symptoms are gone |
| Bend your knee when symptoms have decreased |
| Change your bandage after 4 days and cover the cuts with band aids or gauze |
| If you have a brace or splint, consult your physician |
If the cartilage is repaired and not trimmed, your physician may want you to use crutches longer,
and to not put weight on your leg |
| WHAT RISKS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROCEDURE? |
| There are risks associated with general anesthesia, discuss these with your surgeon and anesthesiologist |
| Local anesthesia may not numb the area quite enough, and you may feel some minor discomfort. In rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia. Local anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia in older people and for people that have certain medical conditions |
| The blood vessels and nerves around the knee may be injured, causing numbness or weakness in the leg below the knee |
| There is a risk of deep vein thrombosis, a condition in which a blood clot forms within a deep lying vein |
| There is a risk of infection and bleeding |
| CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF: |
| There is excessive drainage from the puncture sites |
| There is unusual pain |
| Your knee locks |
| You develop a fever |
| You develop signs of deep vein thrombosis |
| You develop signs of infection |
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