Knee Surgery: What You Need to Know
What is knee surgery?
Knee surgery is a procedure to repair a damaged knee joint. It may be necessary to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. The most common type of arthritis that affects the knee is osteoarthritis, which is a wearing away of the cartilage that protects the bones of the joint.
- Injuries: Injuries, such as ligament or meniscus tears, can damage the knee joint and require surgery.
- Fractures: Broken bones in the knee may also require surgery to repair them.
Types of knee surgery
There are two main types of knee surgery:
- Arthroscopy: This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera to view inside the knee joint. Small instruments may be inserted through additional incisions to make repairs.
- Open surgery: This type of surgery involves a larger incision in the knee to access the joint. It is used for more complex procedures.
Recovery from knee surgery
The recovery time after knee surgery varies depending on the type of procedure that was performed. In general, most people can expect to spend 6 to 8 weeks recovering at home. During this time, it will be important to follow your doctor’s instructions about rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You may also need physical therapy to help regain strength and motion in your knee.
Risks of knee surgery
Knee surgery is a generally safe procedure, but there are some risks, including:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Stiffness
- Pain
Is knee surgery right for me?
If you have knee pain or stiffness that does not improve with other treatments, talk to your doctor about whether knee surgery is right for you.