Arthroscopic Chondroplasty (Arthoscopic knee surgery)
What is a chondroplasty?
A chondroplasty is an outpatient procedure used to repair a small area of damaged cartilage in the knee. The damaged tissue is removed, allowing healthy cartilage to grow in its place. The procedure is performed through small incisions on the sides of the knee with the aid of a small video camera called an arthroscope.
Chondroplasty is an option in cases of mild to moderate cartilage wear.
What is arthroscopic knee chondroplasty (Arthoscopic knee surgery)?
Arthroscopic chondroplasty treatment is completed with arthroscopy — inserting thin surgical instruments in small incisions around your knee. The arthroscope sends the image to a television monitor. On the monitor, your surgeon can see the structures of the knee in much greater detail.
During a chondroplasty, your surgeon trims and smooths roughened arthritic joint surfaces. While performing a arthroscopic knee surgery the surgeon may find lesions on the cartilage that are atypical for the age of the patient. If this is the case the surgeon can take a cartilage sample from a non contact surface during the arthroscopic knee surgery to save for up to seven years for a MACI procedure if needed.
The main benefits of a arthroscopic knee surgery is a smaller incision that results in a reduced amounts of tissue that require healing. Being minimally invasive a arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time is reduced in duration and magnitude when compared to an open surgery.
recovery for arthroscopic chondroplasty (Arthroscopic knee surgery)
The recovery time for arthroscopic chondroplasty is much faster than traditional open knee surgery because it is done using arthroscopy, a much less invasive procedure. Still, it is important to follow your orthopedic surgeon’s instructions carefully after you return home from a arthoscopic knee surgery. You should ask someone to check on you the first evening you are home.
Most patients need crutches or other assistance after arthroscopic surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to put weight on your foot and leg. If you have any questions about bearing weight, call your surgeon.
Typically, patients are able to drive from one to three weeks after the procedure.
After your have completed healing from a arthroscopic knee surgery you will have three dime sized scars where the surgery is performed opposed to a 6-8 inch vertical scar that would result from an open surgery.
