Arthroscopic Surgery and Knee Replacement

Patients, who haven’t been able to find relief with conservative knee pain treatment options, may have to choose between two procedures to treat chronic, severe knee pain: arthroscopic surgery or knee replacement. It is an important choice to make, and patients should understand the benefits and differences between arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement before saying yes to one of them.

Arthroscopic Surgery vs. Knee Replacement

The biggest difference between arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement surgery is that while arthroscopic surgery preserves your natural knee joint, traditional knee replacement surgery replaces the knee joint with an artificial prosthetic.

Another important difference between the two procedures is the size of the incisions. During arthroscopic knee surgery, three tiny incisions are made in the knee joint. Each incision is less than an inch long. Knee replacement surgery, on the other hand, is an open surgery. For knee replacement surgery, the surgeon makes a much bigger incision over the knee joint, exposing the entire joint.

Arthroscopic Surgery or Knee Replacement

When people with chronic knee pain and osteoarthritis consider surgery, they may have to decide whether they will have arthroscopic surgery or knee replacement surgery.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is performed to resurface the areas of joint that are rubbing against one another. When bones rub against one another, bone spurs may form and cause pain, inflammation, and reduced range of motion. An orthopedic surgeon can use arthroscopic surgery to shave down the bone spurs and smooth the bone surfaces.

Arthroscopic knee surgery can also repair torn ligaments and torn cartilage in the knee joint. Like resurfacing, repairing cartilage and ligaments would relieve pain and restore function.

The goal of knee replacement surgery is to replace the joint with an artificial implant. The new joint moves more smoothly and is less likely to develop bone spurs. Another benefit of the artificial device is that it does not have nerve endings, and cannot send pain signals. Most people who undergo knee replacement surgery report substantially less pain and improved knee function after surgery.

Should I get Arthroscopic Surgery?

The answer is ‘yes’ but only if your orthopedic doctor recommends it. Orthopedic surgeons often offer arthroscopic surgery to patients who have tried other knee pain treatment options but haven’t been able to find sufficient relief.

Initial knee pain treatment options include over-the-counter and prescription pain relieving medications, physical therapy, steroid and hyaluronic injections into the knee joint.

If these options have failed, arthroscopic surgery is usually considered before knee replacement surgery.

Patients, who wish to preserve the full ability to flex their leg at the knee, often choose arthroscopic surgery over knee replacement surgery.

To learn more about orthopedic treatments, call one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Phoenix AZ, call Phoenix Shoulder and Knee at 480-219-3342. Dr. Adam Farber is a Fellowship Trained, Board Certified Phoenix and Scottsdale orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine.

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Phoenix Shoulder & Knee Joined: June 22nd, 2018