The knee is easily one of the most important joints in the body, but it is also very susceptible to damage. Most knee injuries occur when your knee directly impacts a hard surface. Athletes are also at risk of knee injuries every time they are forced to quickly change directions. A moderate knee injury will instantly cause the cartilage in the knee to become inflamed or worn out. If the loss of cartilage becomes severe, the bones in your knee will be forced to rub against a rough surface every time you move. If you recently suffered a knee injury and are in severe pain, then you can quickly get your problem fixed with a simple arthroscopic chondroplasty.
An arthroscopic chondroplasty is a medical procedure designed to repair a knee injury by removing any damaged tissue in the joint. Removing this tissue will allow new cartilage to grow in its place. Once the healthy cartilage appears, you will no longer experience any painful symptoms when attempting to use your knee. This procedure is primarily used to fix mild to moderate damage, so you will have to get your knee checked out by our expert before qualifying for an arthroscopic chondroplasty.
During your procedure, a camera attached to a thin pipe is placed inside the knee to help the doctor access the damage done to the inside of your knee joint. The images provided by the camera will ensure the procedure is performed safely. Once the doctor is done accessing the damage, the knee joint will be enlarged with a special solution. This will give the surgeon plenty of room to successfully perform the operation.
Once the joint is inflated, surgical tools will be placed inside the knee through specialized processes. The loose and damaged tissue in the knee will be skillfully removed. The entire surface of the knee joint will also be smoothed to help the new cartilage grow.
Healthy cartilage will slowly start to grow in your knee throughout the healing process. Everyone’s body will heal at different speeds, so it is hard to make any predictions on the recovery process after treating the knee injury. Most patients are able to fully recover from an arthroscopic chondroplasty in one or two months, but our doctor will ultimately inform you when your body is ready to return to your regular duties.
You can learn more information about this helpful procedure during a consultation at Angelo Mattalino, MD in Phoenix. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
