Surgical Procedures - Knee Joint Arthroscopy
Knee joint arthroscopy is performed with a surgical arthroscope that allows the surgeon to indirectly view the knee's anatomy on a television monitor.

Torn or ragged tissue can be easily trimmed and removed, and other structures can be viewed to verify that they are intact.
Dr. Ahlfeld performs a knee arthroscopy
Three to four small, half-inch incisions allow the arthroscopic camera and other instruments to be inserted into the knee joint.

The monitor seen on the left is displaying a normal ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). The arthroscope's small video camera allows the surgeon and assistants to access the status of the knee's anatomy, including both cruciate ligaments, the lateral and medial meniscus, and other soft tissue structures.

Recovery time from arthroscopic surgery is much shorter than it is for conventional or open surgery. Because the incisions for this minimally invasive surgery are much smaller, patients experience less post-operative discomfort, and are able to return to their daily activities in a much shortened time period.

While not all types of surgical reconstruction are possible with the arthroscope, many minor procedures including simple debridements have been facilitated with its use.