Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What You Should Know About Arthroscopy

By Dr. Richard Edelson

Orthopedic Knee Evaluation

First things first: See your M.D. for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Once you have done this, you will set an appointment for an evaluation of your knee problem. Your orthopedic surgeon will do three things at your initial appointment: Conduct a medical history, complete a physical examination, and order some tests.

In your medical history, you will tell the orthopedic surgeon about your general health and answer some questions about the problems you have been experiencing with your knee(s).

He or she will focus mostly on your knees and your legs during the physical examination. It will be necessary to determine the stability and strength of your knee as well as the extent of your ROM (range of motion). Also, the orthopedic surgeon will want to check your legs alignment.

Once these steps are done, the orthopedic surgeon will send you for testing. You are likely to have some blood testing done. This will help detect the presence of arthritis. You will probably also have some x-rays as well as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). It is necessary to get both kinds of images because they provide different types of information. X-rays provide information about bones. The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) provides information about soft tissues.

After your testing is finished, your orthopedic surgeon will meet with you to review the results. Together, you will decide what you must do to treat your knee condition. Your orthopedic surgeon will explain the options to you. They may include arthroscopy or other surgical procedures and/or medications.

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Your orthopedic surgeon will talk to you about the risks involved in arthroscopy - both those that may be encountered during the surgery and afterwards.

Arthroscopy is very likely to be recommended to you. It is the technique of choice under a number of circumstances, including: Exhaustion of options. If you have tried knee supports, medications, physical therapy, and a number of other things without relief, surgery with arthroscopy is a good choice. Additionally, if you are simply afraid to do the things you need to do because your knee hurts constantly, is swollen, gives out on you, catches, and is just generally undependable and painful, arthroscopy could certainly be your answer.

Arthroscopy is a procedure that is suitable and successful for a broad range of patients. It is usually used on patients ranging in age from twenty to sixty, but it is not limited to this age group. Ten-year-olds and eighty-year-olds have also had successful arthroscopic surgery.

What is Involved in Preparing for Arthroscopy

Once your decision is made, your orthopedic surgeon will send you back to your physician for a complete physical. By doing this, you will be sure that everything is in good working order, and you will know about anything that may cause complications before your surgery.

Additional testing may be requested at this time. Your orthopedic surgeon may ask that your doctor conduct more blood tests or a cardiogram or any other test that may be beneficial to overall familiarity with your health. All of these precautions work together to ensure that you will have a safe surgical procedure.

If you are taking any medications or nutritional supplements, be sure to inform your doctor and your orthopedic surgeon so that they can instruct you properly as to what you must discontinue before your procedure.

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