Managing Your Carpal Tunnel at Your Desk Job
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury that sometimes requires surgery. You can do some things that help you manage the day-to-day pain at work.
Is Arthroscopy Right for My Knee Pain?
Surgery can be a daunting idea, and it’s not usually something you’d look forward to. But, if having a procedure can help your doctor understand why you have ongoing knee pain, it may be worth the worry and recovery.
At Orthocenter, our providers are highly trained experts and suggest orthopedic surgery when it is the best choice to help you live with less pain or to find out the cause of your pain. Our surgeons routinely perform surgeries to correct issues related to the hand and wrist, spine, hips, shoulders, and knees.
Arthroscopy explained
Arthroscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny camera—an arthroscope—to diagnose and treat joint problems. Modern technology includes an array of imaging techniques, but sometimes, your provider needs to see inside your joint, and that’s when arthroscopy is the right procedure.
One of the most important benefits of arthroscopy is that it requires only a few tiny incisions. The camera used during the procedure is very small, and the images are transmitted to a screen so your surgeon can see, in detail, what’s happening in your joint.
In some cases, the surgeon may choose to repair immediately; sometimes, arthroscopy is only used to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
When arthroscopy is used
If you’ve had knee pain for some time and you’ve tried more conservative treatments such as physical therapy without improvement, arthroscopy could be the best way to treat your issue.
Some common issues arthroscopy is used to treat include:
- Repairing a torn meniscus
- Removing a meniscus
- Reconstructing a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Removing inflamed synovial tissue
- Removing or trimming damaged cartilage
- Removing fragments of bone or cartilage
- Correcting kneecap problems
- Treating infection in your knee joint
Preparing for surgery
Your doctor may ask you to undergo various tests as they evaluate you before surgery. Your overall health should be good prior to any surgery, but some types of health issues make surgery risky.
In most cases, arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll get to go home the same day. You may need to arrange for someone to help you get home and settled, depending on the type of anesthesia you receive.
Your specific pre-procedure instructions depend on your unique circumstances. All of the experts at Orthocenter work with their patients to develop treatment plans tailored to their needs. Your treatment plan is designed for you.
Recovery
The smaller incisions used during arthroscopy often mean a faster recovery. You’ll need someone to help you get home, and you may want to have someone to help you that evening.
You may have some pain in the days immediately after your procedure, but your care instructions will include what you can take for pain relief.
You’ll have an appointment following your surgery to make sure you’re healing properly, and your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to begin putting weight on your foot. You’ll likely need physical therapy to regain strength in your knee.
If you’re experiencing knee pain, schedule an appointment at Orthocenter's most convenient location. Our experts can help you understand why you have pain and suggest effective treatments.
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