Knee arthroscopy is a minor 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 large cut in the skin. Thus, arthroplasty is usually used when there is knee pain, to assess whether there are any problems with joint structures.
However, if the diagnosis has already been made, through other tests such as X-rays, for example, the doctor can still use arthroscopy to make minor repairs to the meniscus, cartilage or cruciate ligaments, helping to treat the problem. After this procedure some care will be needed, so here's how physical therapy can be done to recover from arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy price
The price of a knee arthroscopy for diagnosis is approximately 200 reais, while the cost of surgical arthroscopy for correcting injuries is approximately 500 reais, depending on the problem to be treated and the clinic selected.
How is arthroscopy recovery
Arthroscopy is a low-risk surgery that usually lasts about 1 hour and, therefore, its 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, it is only important to maintain some care such as:
- Rest, avoiding applying any kind of weight on the leg for at least 4 days; Keep the leg elevated above the level of the heart for 2 to 3 days, to reduce the swelling; Apply a cold bag to the knee area several times a day, for 3 days to relieve swelling and pain; Take the medications prescribed by the doctor at the correct time, to keep the pain well controlled; Use crutches during the recovery period, until the doctor's recommendation.
In addition, it may also be recommended to do rehabilitation physiotherapy sessions, especially in cases where some knee structure has been repaired. Physical therapy helps to 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 the orthopedist's instructions. In addition, there may be cases in which it is important to exchange high-impact activities, depending on the type of knee injury.
Possible risks of arthroscopy
The risk of complications from an arthroscopy is very low, however, as with any other surgery, bleeding may occur during surgery, infection at the wound site, allergic reaction to anesthesia, appearance of knee stiffness or damage to healthy knee structures.
To avoid this type of risk, it is very important to make all consultations before surgery, so that the doctor can assess the entire clinical history of the person, as well as the medications that are used. In addition, it is important to select a clinic and a trusted doctor with experience in this type of procedure.
