what is arthrosopy ?

I just had an arthroscopy and will tell you about it if you wish. Let me know.
Joan

livinglegend wrote:

joanlawson wrote:

I just had an arthroscopy and will tell you about it if you wish. Let me know.
Joan

Could you post it please as it may help others.

Joseph 8)

I had arthroscopy on16th Dec, 2008. I had been having pain,which was severe on occasions, for a year previously. I had had an injection in the joint, which worked quite well but didn't last long. X-rays and an MRI scan indicated moderate arthritis,but my knee kept locking in the night and waking me up, so the consultant recommended arthroscopy.

This consists of Key-hole surgery,in which a camera is inserted into the joint so the surgeon can see inside it, and then it is washed out to remove any loose bits of cartilage. Jagged bits of bone can be smoothed. There are two small incisions either side of the knee. These heal quickly with dissolving stitches.

I didn't have to stay overnight and was in the hospital most of one day. I had a local anasthetic which froze me from the waist down. They also gave me a sedative so I don't remember anything about the op. Afterwards, they told me that the arthritis was much worse than they thought , and said it was severe in two of the three compartments of the knee. The x-ray and scan had not revealed the extent of the damage. I saw some photos taken inside, and was shocked at how bad it is.There is virtually no cartilage left and the bones are rough where they should be smooth. No wonder it hurt!

The pain afterwards was not too bad after a couple of days, and I was given exercises to do, but unfortunately I developed Bursitis in my hip, probably with limping. I was not told to use a stick after the op. and was walking very badly. I think the Bursitis could have been avoided if I had used a stick and taken it more slowly. The pain in my hip was much worse than my knee.I have had physio and acupuncture ,as well as an injection for this, but it is only now, nearly three months later, that I am feeling better.

I have been told that I need a knee replacement, but I have asked for time to think it over as it is major surgery. In the meantime, my knee is stiff and a bit sore if I am on my feet for long, but at least it no longer locks in the night.I have been able to cut down on medication too, so the arthroscopy wasn't entirely a wasted exercise.They are going to review it in six months, but I can ring before that if the pain gets bad.

I have been told that there is a wide variation of opinion as to the value of this op. and that they are doing less of them these days. I am 65, and maybe they are more successful on younger people. For someone with severe arthritis like me, they are not recommended, I don't think. I'm still not sure why the x-ray and scan had not shown up the extent of the arthritis; this hasn't really been explained satisfactorily to me.

Hope this is of some use. Please ask any questions if you wish.
Joan

Hi,

I had an arthroscopy about 10 years ago when they still did it under general anaesthetic. I had grown an extra piece of cartilage which was stopping my knee joint from working properly and they made 2 small holes in my knee and removed the extra cartilage as well as doing a general clean. I had to go back a week later for the stitches to be taken out. I walked out of the hospital better than I had been on the way in (even after the general anaesthetic) and was walking straight away - I went back to work 3 days later.

Good luck with it!
KT