Qualified Knee Pain Specialist Near Me
Knee Arthroscopy Procedure
The decision to have any surgery is a serious and difficult one, one you should seek to make in conjunction with your orthopedic surgeon, your primary care physician, and your family members. In the past, orthopedic surgery of the knee has been particularly invasive, resulting in a painful and lengthy recovery period that can quickly become costly. However, a procedure known as arthroscopy of the knee joint has offered a less invasive solution to these troubling effects of surgery.
Dr. Joseph Norris is highly experienced in providing arthroscopic knee replacement and other arthroscopic knee surgery to patients who need effective, long-term treatment for knee pain. Using state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive techniques, Dr. Norris is able to create a smaller incision during your surgery and insert an arthroscope to see your joint, minimizing trauma to the muscles around your knee and resulting in a faster, less painful recovery period.
If you’ve been living with debilitating pain in your knees, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible, as wear and tear will only increase the damage with time. Don’t delay -- if you’re ready to restore your affected knee and live pain-free, schedule your first appointment with Dr. Joseph Norris today.
Best Orthopedic Knee Doctor Near Me
Revision Replacement for the Knee Joint
Arthroscopy is often used during total and partial knee replacement, but it can also be beneficial during a revision knee replacement procedure in order to minimize trauma to the area. If you’ve already had a knee replacement surgery and you’re still in pain, it’s time to revise your previous procedures, and arthroscopy is an excellent option for doing so.
Revision knee replacement can refer to minor adjustments to larger procedures that involve replacing an exceptional amount of bone. Typically, however, revision knee replacements happen for the following reasons:
- Wear and tear on the plastic prostheses forming your knee replacement
- Instability of the knee replacement, causing it to potentially wobble or give way as you walk
- Loosening of a knee replacement component in the femur, tibia or patella, usually accompanied by pain
- Infection in the knee replacement, generally accompanied by pain, swelling and/or fever
- Bone loss due to particles from your prosthesis being released into the knee
If your knee replacement feels stiff, this may also be improved by a revision. If you feel that your existing knee replacement needs adjustment, don’t spend another minute living in discomfort. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Norris to discuss your options.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Specialist Near Me
Minimally-Invasive Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
So what is an arthroscope, exactly? It’s a small, fiber-optic instrument that’s made up of three parts: the lens, the light source, and the video camera. During your surgery, the arthroscope will be attached to a television, which will show Dr. Norris a live image of your joint. This allows him to see the knee in full, from the surrounding tissues to the cartilage itself.
Here’s how it works: at the start of your surgery, Dr. Norris will make two small incisions around the area of your joint. He will then insert the arthroscope into the first incision, which allows him to view the knee joint. At the same time, a sterile solution will be administered to the joint, which will expand it and allow Dr. Norris more room to perform the procedure. In the other incision, Dr. Norris will insert the necessary surgical instruments to repair your damaged knee.
As we’ve stated, arthroscopy is an amazing advancement in orthopedic surgery that has allowed surgeons like Dr. Norris to minimize trauma to the tissues of the knee, reduce pain after surgery, shorten recovery periods and save monetary cost for patients who need these procedures. If you’ve thought about surgery to help relieve your knee pain but the thought of an invasive surgery has frightened you, don’t wait any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Norris to discuss this minimally-invasive option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is arthritis the only reason to get arthroscopic knee surgery?
While arthritis pain is the most common reason why Dr. Norris recommends arthroscopic knee replacement surgery, the procedure can also be effective for young, active patients who have sustained serious injuries to the knee and have damaged cartilage as a result.
What will happen after my surgery?
After your procedure, Dr. Norris will prescribe you with several medications, including those to mitigate postoperative pain and antibiotics designed to prevent infection in your surgical site. Your affected knee and leg will be bandaged. There will likely be swelling in your knee after surgery, which is normal.
How long will it take to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?
Each body is different, therefore each patient’s recovery will be different. However, the minimally-invasive techniques employed by Dr. Norris result in a shorter recovery period -- as well as less pain and cost -- than methods traditionally used in the past. Dr. Norris will discuss your recovery timeline with you as part of your treatment plan.
Will I need physical therapy after knee surgery?
Yes! Physical therapy is an extremely important element of any surgical treatment, and it will be essential to helping you restore your knee to full mobility. It’s vital to follow all of the post-operative guidelines outlined for you by Dr. Norris in order to make the most complete, effective recovery possible.