Anesthesia
Complications are not common, but may infrequently occur. Please discuss any questions you have regarding possible anesthetic complications with your anesthesiologist prior to surgery. If you have any allergies to medicine, or are currently taking any medication, be sure he or she knows this.
Infection
Precautions are taken to help guard against infection, including special preparation of the skin, sterile technique and the use of antibiotics when appropriate. However, if infection does occur, it may require further surgery and/or hospitalization.
Excessive Bleeding or Swelling
Swelling may occur as a result of the fluids used during the arthroscopic procedure and is usually resolved within a few hours after the surgical procedure. Bleeding rarely occurs and usually involves only staining of the dressing. In some instances, however, accumulated blood in the knee may need to be removed.
Phlebitis
Deep vein thrombosis or blood clotting can occur following arthroscopic surgery. This is very rare. It is important to keep the (leg/arm) joint elevated above the level of the heart for the first 24-48 hours after surgery. You should also avoid a 90-degree knee bend position for prolonged periods of time. Excessive post-operative calf tightening, swelling and pain may be a sign of early phlebitis.
You should report this to your surgeon promptly.
Instrument Breakage
It is possible that a piece of one of the small surgical instruments may break off inside the joint. This rarely occurs and the piece can usually be removed arthroscopically. However, an incision may occasionally be required to retrieve a piece of the instrument.
Nerve Damage
A number of smaller nerves and some very important larger nerves may pass across the joint and could be injured during the arthroscopic procedure. This rarely occurs, but when it does it can result in a serious problem requiring additional treatment.
Numbness or Pain
Small sensory nerves lie directly underneath the skin close to the entry sites of arthroscopy. During placement of the arthroscope, it is possible to injure the nerves and leave an area of numbness, or focal area of pain. This usually diminishes with time.
Anesthesia
Complications are not common, but may infrequently occur. Please discuss any questions you have regarding possible anesthetic complications with your anesthesiologist prior to surgery. If you have any allergies to medicine, or are currently taking any medication, be sure he or she knows this.
Infection
Precautions are taken to help guard against infection, including special preparation of the skin, sterile technique and the use of antibiotics when appropriate. However, if infection does occur, it may require further surgery and/or hospitalization.
Excessive Bleeding or Swelling
Swelling may occur as a result of the fluids used during the arthroscopic procedure and is usually resolved within a few hours after the surgical procedure. Bleeding rarely occurs and usually involves only staining of the dressing. In some instances, however, accumulated blood in the knee may need to be removed.
Phlebitis
Deep vein thrombosis or blood clotting can occur following arthroscopic surgery. This is very rare. It is important to keep the (leg/arm) joint elevated above the level of the heart for the first 24-48 hours after surgery. You should also avoid a 90-degree knee bend position for prolonged periods of time. Excessive post-operative calf tightening, swelling and pain may be a sign of early phlebitis.
You should report this to your surgeon promptly.
Instrument Breakage
It is possible that a piece of one of the small surgical instruments may break off inside the joint. This rarely occurs and the piece can usually be removed arthroscopically. However, an incision may occasionally be required to retrieve a piece of the instrument.
Nerve Damage
A number of smaller nerves and some very important larger nerves may pass across the joint and could be injured during the arthroscopic procedure. This rarely occurs, but when it does it can result in a serious problem requiring additional treatment.
Numbness or Pain
Small sensory nerves lie directly underneath the skin close to the entry sites of arthroscopy. During placement of the arthroscope, it is possible to injure the nerves and leave an area of numbness, or focal area of pain. This usually diminishes with time.