An orthopedic surgeon explains what questions one should ask about their upcoming knee arthroscopy.
Don’t just go into a knee arthroscopy blindly. You should be armed with knowledge ahead of time.
Nature of the Knee Arthroscopy and Description
“A patient should ask the surgeon exactly the nature of the procedure and a description of what will be taking place during the arthroscopy,” says Dr. Mark Galland,orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist and physician at Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina.
Ask the surgeon to explain the procedure with a model of the knee joint.
If one is not in the office, your doctor can use a 2D illustration or perhaps already has a favorite video showing the procedure in animated form.
Surgeon’s Expectations of a Successful and Unsuccessful Knee Arthroscopy
“The patient should also ask the surgeon to state his or her expectations of the procedure if it is successful,” says Dr. Galland.
Make sure that the information you get goes beyond just a generic template.
For instance, how soon will you be able to return to your favorite physical activities?
“A surgeon should be able to offer the patient an overview of the long-term ramifications, both in the case of a successful procedure as well as an unsuccessful procedure.”
Recovery Expectations
Finally, Dr. Galland says, “A patient should also ask what they can expect regarding recovery, including how long until they can walk and return to normal activity, as well as what the restrictions may be during convalescence.”
Another question to ask your surgeon about knee arthroscopy is about possible complications and what will be done to help reduce them.
Another good question is about the type of anesthesia (general, regional or local?).
Ask your doctor if you can record the Q & A on your phone.
This way when you wonder about a particular answer, you can conveniently play it back.
Dr. Galland has authored many book chapters and papers in sports medicine. His advice and consultation have been sought by world-class athletes in track and field and Major League Baseball.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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