Minimally Invasive Surgery Offers Faster Results

In the past, any kind of knee surgery left the patient out for the count for long periods. Sometimes, individuals had to undergo exploratory surgeries just to determine suitability for more extensive procedures like partial or total knee replacements or tendon and ligament repairs. While medically necessary, the recovery periods left patients on bedrest or restricted movement for far too long. Nowadays, modern techniques like knee arthroscopy are minimally invasive, reducing healing time and speeding up a return to everyday life.

Arthroscopy, explained

A knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) that can help address various knee problems. The procedure may be used to determine what kind of damage is present in the knee or to correct the tearing of a muscle, ligament, tendon, or cartilage. The process relies on a tool known as an arthroscope, which is inserted in small incisions and has a camera affixed to provide visual confirmation of how widespread a potential knee injury may be.

An outpatient procedure

The biggest benefit of knee arthroscopy is that the entire procedure is performed as an outpatient service. As a result, patients can go home the same day and usually won’t be required to stay overnight at a hospital. In some cases, the arthroscopy may not even be performed in a hospital but rather in an offsite medical facility such as a doctor’s office.

Faster recovery times

Unlike traditional knee surgeries, which fully open the knee to inspect or repair damage, arthroscopies rely on small incisions. As a result, total healing time is usually significantly shorter. Of course, individual patient outcomes can vary, and an individual’s adherence to recovery guidelines and the extent of the surgery will all influence how quickly a person returns to a pre-surgical routine. However, a knee arthroscopy using MIS results in a much shorter recovery period than traditional knee surgery.

Quicker return to activity

Patients who undergo a knee arthroscopy will often find that returning to previous activity levels is faster compared with open knee surgery. Typically, high-impact activities will need to be avoided for an extended period. However, simple options like returning to low-impact work or even gentle exercising can be achieved relatively quickly after surgery.

Fewer repeat surgeries

Another major benefit of knee arthroscopy is that patients are less likely to need repeat surgeries. While individual cases will vary, sometimes lifestyle changes may be more than sufficient to create long-lasting alterations that result in better knee health, range of motion (ROM), and quality of life.

Getting back to a full life

Ultimately, the biggest benefit of opting for knee arthroscopy over more invasive procedures is that patients can return to everyday life faster with fewer limitations. While such a feature might seem minimal, returning to normal is a big factor in overall wellness and good mental health. Not having to spend extended periods immobile or working through more intensive recovery routines can improve mood, positively impacting overall patient outcomes. When a knee injury occurs, consider the many benefits of arthroscopy.