Knee arthroscopy is a small surgery in which the orthopedist uses a thin tube, with a camera at the tip, to observe the structures inside the joint, without having to make a big cut on the skin. In this way, arthroplasty is usually used when there is knee pain to assess if there is any problem with joint structures.
However, if the diagnosis has already been made, other tests such as X-ray, for example, the doctor can use the arthroscopy to make small repairs to the meniscus, cartilage or cruciate ligaments, helping to treat the problem. After this procedure some care is needed, so here is how physiotherapy can be done to recover from arthroscopy.
Price of arthroscopy
The cost of a knee arthroscopy for diagnosis is approximately 200 reais, while the cost of surgical arthroscopy for correction of lesions is approximately 500 reais, depending on the problem to be treated and the selected clinic.
How is recovery from arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgery with few risks that usually lasts about 1 hour and therefore your recovery time is also much faster than that of a traditional knee surgery. However, this time can vary from person to person, according to the speed of healing and the problem treated.
However, in almost all cases, it is possible to return home on the same day, and it is only important to keep some care such as:
- Rest, avoid applying any type of weight to the leg for at least 4 days;
- Keep leg elevated above heart level for 2 to 3 days to decrease swelling;
- Apply an ice pack to the knee area several times a day for 3 days to relieve swelling and pain;
- Take medications prescribed by the doctor at the correct time to keep the pain well controlled;
- Use crutches during the recovery period until your doctor tells you to.
In addition, it may still be advisable to do rehabilitation physiotherapy sessions, especially in cases where some knee structure has been repaired. Physical therapy helps fully recover the strength of the leg muscles and increase the ability to bend the knee, which can be impaired after surgery.
Physical activity can usually be resumed about 6 weeks after arthroscopy, according to orthopedist's indications. And in addition, there may be cases where it is important to switch activities of great impact, depending on the type of knee injury.
Possible risks of arthroscopy
The risk of complications from an arthroscopy is very low, however, as in any other surgery, bleeding during surgery, infection at the wound site, allergic reaction to anesthesia, stiffness of the knee or lesions in the healthy structures of the knee .
To avoid this type of risk it is very important to make all the consultations before the surgery, so that the doctor can evaluate all the clinical history of the person as well as the medicines that is used. In addition, it is important to select a clinic and doctor who is reliable and experienced in this type of procedure.
