Knee surgery is one of the most commonly performed types of surgery in the United States. While most people relate knee surgery with knee replacement, other types of surgery are performed as well, including arthroscopic surgery on the knee. If your doctor has mentioned arthroscopic surgery for your knee may be a possibility, you are bound to have a few questions. Here is a look at some of the things you should know. 

Why is arthroscopic knee surgery performed?

Arthroscopic knee surgery is often considered an exploratory surgery. In other words, the surgery may be used to get a closer look at what may be causing problems within the joint or to get a closer look at the severity of the problem. However, the technique can also be used to perform certain procedures, such as:

• To remove a piece of torn cartilage 
• To repair problems with a patella that is out of place 
• To remove cysts from the joint 
• To reconstruct ligaments like the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)  

How long will the procedure take?

One of the advantages of arthroscopic knee surgery is that it can be a less time-consuming procedure. However, the time the full procedure takes can also have a lot to do with what is being done. For example, the removal of a small cyst via robotic arthroscopic surgery may not take that long, but repairing or reconstructing a ligament may take a while longer. 

How is the surgery performed?

Robotic arthroscopic surgery is performed using a tiny robotic instrument that slips into the knee joint through a small incision. A tiny light diode is also inserted along with a camera that allows the surgeon to get a close look at what they are doing with the small instruments while they perform the procedure. Usually, a patient will have three small incisions in their knee when the surgery is completed, which is far better than having large incisions that can be required with other types of knee surgery. 

Are there any risks involved with arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic knee surgery is considered relatively safe, especially when compared to more traditional knee surgery. However, there can be some risks involved with every form of surgery, and the risks can vary from patient to patient. One of the most common risks is an infection, but there are things you can do after the procedure to thwart the risks of infection developing. A few other risks include soreness or stiffness of the knee joint, bruising, injury to a nerve, and the development of a blood clot within the knee.

If you have additional questions, reach out to a company like Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C.