Unfortunately, knee pain can keep you from getting up and around. It can also make it painful to sit, stand, or even lay down. There are a number of things that can go wrong in your knee joint that will result in pain. Sometimes this pain is temporary and will go away with rest and can be minimized with over-the-counter pain medication. However, when you have had the pain for more than a few days or if it is causing you great distress, it is time to undergo a joint arthroscopy diagnostic procedure. Generally, you will need to have a referral for this test from your primary care physician or an orthopedic surgeon. Here is a bit of information to help you understand what to expect.

Why the Procedure Is Needed When You Have Been Diagnosed

Sometimes, the medical professional will have already diagnosed what is going on in your knee. Perhaps you have some arthritis or a dislocated kneecap. While you may be given anti-inflammatory medications and a brace to help, it is better to have arthroscopic diagnostics done to see how much damage has been done and to which of the different bones, ligaments, or tendons. This will allow the doctor to determine the best way to keep you pain-free and possibly heal the problem.

What to Expect During the Procedure

After giving you an anesthetic, the doctor will make a few small incisions around the knee. A saline solution will be pumped into the knee to expand the area for better viewing of everything inside. A tiny camera on a thin, flexible tube (the arthroscope) will be inserted through the incisions to view and take pictures of everything. Some problems can be taken care of at the same time, such as repairing a torn meniscus or the draining of excess fluid around the knee. 

Recovery

In most cases, you will be able to leave the office after the anesthetic has worn off. However, you will need to have someone drive you home. Pain medication, rest, and elevating the leg is generally all that will be needed and you should do this for the first couple of days.

It is always best to have any knee pain checked as soon as possible after it begins. If left alone, the problem will only get worse. If the problem is bad, you will need to have a much more invasive procedure done to correct it. Comparatively, the arthroscopic procedure will be a breeze. Contact an orthopedic clinic like Ultimate Sports for more information on this procedure.