Knee Arthroscopy Surgery

Arthroscopy is amongst the most commonly performed procedures in orthopedic surgery with more than 4 million knee arthroscopies performed worldwide each year. Technological advances such as high definition monitors and high resolution cameras have made arthroscopy a very effective tool for treating a variety of knee problems.

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. The procedure involves making a small incision in the skin and inserting a pencil-sized camera into an injured or damaged joint. The arthroscope’s tiny camera and instrumentation allow Dr. Samimi to see inside the joint in a magnified and illuminated manner to accurately diagnose and effectively treat the condition. Dr. Samimi specializes in the treatment of complex and routine knee problems that may be treated with arthroscopic techniques.

Arthroscopy is almost always performed as outpatient surgery and offers such benefits as reduced risk, fewer complications, less postoperative pain, less recovery time, and far less scarring. Using this minimally invasive procedure we can perform shoulder surgeries such as Meniscus Repair, ACL Reconstruction, and Cartilage Restoration.

Indications
Arthroscopy for the knee is most commonly used for:

• Removal or Repair of torn meniscal cartilage
• Reconstruction of a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament
• Trimming of torn pieces of articular cartilage
• Removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
• Removal of inflamed synovial tissue

What happens during the procedure?

Dr. Samimi uses knee arthroscopy surgery to feel, repair or remove damaged tissue.

First, we examine your knee with the arthroscope. The arthroscope is inserted into your knee through a small incision large enough to fit the small camera. The arthroscope is connected to a video monitor in the operating room. All the tissues of your knee joint -- the cartilage, meniscus, and ligaments are inspected.

Once a thorough understanding of the problem is obtained, damaged tissues are either removed or repaired. To do this, small surgical instruments such as scissors, graspers, or motorized shavers are inserted into the knee joint through these same small incisions. Usually 2 to 3 small incisions are all that are needed in knee arthroscopy surgery.

The procedure usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour depending on the findings and the treatment necessary.

At the end of the knee surgery, your incisions will be closed with stitches and covered with a dressing (bandage). Almost all arthroscopic knee surgery is done on an outpatient basis. Typically you will go home the same day followed by a course of physical therapy. You will be able to remove the bandage and shower 2 days after surgery. The small incisions will simply be covered by a band-aid.

Recovery
Recovery from knee arthroscopy is much faster than recovery from traditional open knee surgery. Still, it is important to follow your orthopedic surgeon's instructions carefully after you return home.

Therapeutic exercise will play an important role in how well you recover. A formal physical therapy program may improve your final result.

For detailed information about Knee Arthroscopy please visit: AAOS Online Services Fact Sheet - Knee Arthroscopy

Dr. Samimi is a Los Angeles knee surgeon offering knee arthroscopy surgey at 3 location in West Covina, Encino and Brentwood / West LA.