Procedure

Almost all arthroscopic knee surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Your hospital or surgery center will contact you about the specific details for your surgery, but usually you will be asked to arrive at the hospital an hour or two prior to your surgery. Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.

After arrival, a member of the anesthesia team will evaluate you. Arthroscopy can be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs your knee, regional anesthesia numbs you below your waist, and general anesthesia puts you to sleep throughout the procedure. Your anesthesiologist will help you determine which would be the best for you.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make a few small incisions in your knee. A surgical tool called an arthroscope will be inserted through one of the incisions to see inside your knee. The arthroscope is a small, soft tube with a light and a camera at the tip. Images from the camera of the inside of your knee are displayed on a television screen that the surgeon uses to help maneuver the surgical instruments. If you have local or regional anesthesia, you may be able to watch the procedure on a TV screen, if you wish.

If a problem is detected, the surgeon can perform immediate surgery by placing small instruments (e.g., scissors, clamps, motorized shavers, or lasers) through the other incisions. This part of the procedure usually lasts 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

After the arthroscope is removed, the surgeon will close the hole with a suture or paper tape and put a bandage on the incision. You may be given medicine to ease post-operative pain. You will be moved to a recovery room. You will usually be ready to go home in one or two hours. You should have someone with you to drive you home since you will be drowsy.