Knee Arthroscopy

About Knee Arthroscopy

If you have a painful knee condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment options including rest, physical therapy and medications or injections to reduce pain and inflammation, knee arthroscopic surgery may be an option. Knee arthroscopy may relieve painful symptoms accompanied with conditions that damage the cartilage surfaces and other soft tissues surrounding the joint. Arthroscopic surgery is considered to be minimally invasive with a shorter recovery time for patients. Our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine providers work with you on developing a specialized treatment plan with your goals in mind with a team dedicated to helping you every step of the way.

Knee Arthroscopy Surgery at UT Health Austin

Upon evaluation of your knee, your medical provider will discuss whether knee arthroscopy surgery is the best method for diagnosing and possibly correcting your injury or condition. Your care team will walk you through the risks and benefits as well as what to expect from the procedure and recovery process. Knee arthroscopy allows your physician to view the knee joint without making a large incision. A small camera is inserted to view the joint and diagnose your condition if surgical correction is needed, small instruments will be inserted to complete the procedure. Recovery from knee arthroscopy is faster than traditional open knee surgery and patients do tend to see a reduction in pain and improvement in function.

Common arthroscopic procedures for the knee include:

• Removal or repair of a torn meniscus
• Reconstruction of a torn anterior cruciate ligament
• Removal of inflamed synovial tissue
• Trimming of damaged articular cartilage
• Removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
• Treatment of patella (kneecap) problems
• Treatment of knee sepsis (infection)

Care Team Approach

At UT Health Austin, we take a multidisciplinary approach to your care. This means you will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines caring for you in one place to avoid having to schedule multiple appointments with providers at locations all over the city. The Musculoskeletal Institute care team includes orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, physiatrists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and more who work together to help you get back to the things in your life that matter most to you.

We collaborate with our colleagues at the Dell Medical School and The University of Texas at Austin to utilize the latest research, diagnostic, and treatment techniques, allowing us to customize a treatment plan specific to you. Treatment may include nonsurgical interventions, such as lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, or medication and injections, or surgery may be the best course of action to help improve your pain and function. Advanced imaging and lab testing are also available on-site if needed.

Learn More About Your Care Team