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Is arthroscopic knee surgery successful?

Arthroscopic knee surgery for an infected joint is incredibly successful. Over 91% of patients have a complete resolution of symptoms. Failure to wash out a knee that has signs of infection can lead to severe arthritis and chronic pain. This is why a knee washout is almost always done if infection is suspected. 

Arthroscopy for a “locked” knee that cannot fully flex or extend is also highly successful. This often occurs due to a small piece of material that is blocking the joint from moving smoothly. 

The use of arthroscopy and washout for other conditions such as arthritis is more hotly debated. Only some patients see benefits from the procedure and it is not well studied. This is why your surgeon will be hesitant to perform this procedure unless all other methods of controlling pain have been attempted. An arthroscopy is often the final procedure that is attempted prior to a knee replacement.

What is knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation?

How do you drain an infected knee?

How long does a knee washout take?

What is the recovery time for arthroscopic knee surgery?

Do you need crutches after an arthroscopy?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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