Cost of arthroscopy to remove knee cartilage by state

What is knee arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is the process of making a small incision in the skin that allows a surgeon to insert a camera into the knee joint. This camera allows the surgeon to search for any damaged structures within the knee and perform minor surgeries.

Knee arthroscopy is typically done after an injury or in patients with severe chronic pain in the knee. In the case of damage to the cartilage of the knee, a diagnosis is typically made with a magnetic resonance image (MRI), and arthroscopy is used to provide treatment.

Is it worth having a knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy is typically done to treat injuries to the ligaments that hold the knee together and the cartilage that allows the joint to move smoothly. This procedure is generally only done when an orthopedic surgeon expects to find an injury that can be treated during the arthroscopy. 

If you have severe pain or reduced range of motion of the knee that makes walking and standing difficult, an arthroscopy is almost certainly a worthwhile procedure. However, if your pain is mild and has been well managed with medications and physical therapy, an arthroscopy is likely unnecessary. 

Some of the most common reasons a surgeon will perform an arthroscopy are:

• A sensation of the knee “locking” or “catching” and being unable to move past a certain point.
• Severe damage to the cartilage after an injury that is seen on MRI.
• Severe pain after an injury that does not improve with a brace and resting the knee.

How is knee arthroscopy used to treat knee cartilage damage?

Arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see the structures within the knee joint and insert small surgical instruments to alter damaged areas of cartilage. One of the most common uses for arthroscopy is to treat tears in the cartilage caused by trauma to the knee. 

Trauma to the knee can tear the meniscus, a long piece of cartilage that is necessary for the knee to move smoothly. Arthroscopy can allow these damaged pieces of cartilage to be reattached to the bones of the knee or removed. 

Some surgeons will use knee arthroscopy to place transplanted cartilage in the knee or attempt therapies that can lead to cartilage regrowth.

Can you remove cartilage from the knee?

Removal of cartilage from the knee is common during arthroscopy. In the past, it was thought that removing cartilage fragments from the knee in patients with chronic arthritis was necessary. New research shows that cartilage removal is most beneficial in patients with traumatic injuries leading to cartilage damage, not those with chronic pain.

Chronic conditions that lead to pain, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, are best treated with medications and physical therapy instead of cartilage removal.

Can you regrow cartilage in your knee?

Regrowth of damaged cartilage is a new area of research. It is possible to implant healthy cartilage cells into the bone beneath the damaged area of cartilage. In some cases, these cells are able to attach to the underlying bone and form new cartilage. 

Another new technique is “microfracturing,” in which small breaks are made on the surface of the bone, which promotes blood flow to that area. This increased blood flow can stimulate the growth of cartilage. 

These methods are still new and are being studied; they are not ideal for all patients, and their use has many limitations. The actual ability to regrow cartilage varies widely between patients and depends heavily on the nature of your injury and any other medical conditions you may have.

How long does it take to fully recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?

After a knee arthroscopy and cartilage removal or repair, you will be able to walk with some discomfort for one to two weeks with a full return to your previous level of activity within a month. Patients who receive arthroscopy to treat a traumatic injury to the knee will often see significant recovery close to their pre-injury state in one to two months.

Can you walk right after arthroscopic knee surgery?

If arthroscopy is performed only to look at the cartilage and no treatments are done, it may be possible to walk a few hours after the procedure with no assistance. More commonly, arthroscopy is used to perform repair or removal of cartilage. In this case, your surgeon will likely want you to use crutches for about a week after surgery to keep pressure off of the knee. After this period, it will be possible to walk without assistance.