What is it:
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique that allows orthopedic surgeons to assess – and in most cases, treat – a range of conditions affecting the knee joint. During the procedure, the orthopedic surgeon makes small incisions or portals in the affected joint, and then inserts a tiny camera and fiber optics to light the interior space. Pictures obtained with the camera are then projected onto a screen in the operating suite.
Important Facts:
Injuries to both the ACL and the menisci are common, particularly in athletes. Statistics show that more than 60% of patients diagnosed with an ACL tear also have a torn meniscus. A gender specific difference in ACL injuries among young female athletes has been demonstrated in recent years. Females are 2 to 6 times more likely to tear their ACL than their male cohorts, depending upon the sport.
Statistics:
The general success rate following ACL reconstruction is 85 to 90%.
Treatment Duration:
Recovery time from an ACL reconstruction varies, with a period from about 6 to 9 months representing an average time required before the athlete returns to collision sports.
Do’s & Don’ts:
Don’t R.I.C.E.
Common Myths:
Arthroscopy is surgery, the myth that athletes have been fed is that a scope can find out the problem and solve it. Nothing could be farther from the truth for the average sports injury. All the arthroscope can do is look at the tissue. Arthroscopy: – The Quickest Route to an Athletic Injury — The easiest and most overt way athletes are injured is not from a cheap shot from an opponent, but by one of their supposed allies, the arthroscope. The arthroscope is capable of producing more irreversible damage than the most vicious opponent produces. The damage is, however, often masked by the incredible feeling of vitality following the procedure.
WHAT IS THE M.EA.T. PROTOCOL?
Most athletes after a soft tissue injury to such structures as tendons or ligaments are told to rest, ice, compress, and elevate the area. This is the infamous RICE treatment. It is taught in every medical school and practiced in every hospital across the country. Prolo Your Pain Away! was the first book to expose how wrong this treatment is for newly injured ligaments and tendons. M.E.A.T. stands for movement, exercise, analgesics and therapy. This is the pneumotic that should replace R.I.C.E.
Jesse Elliott, DPT, Licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy with Siskiyou PT
We offer Same Day Appointments for those that are post surgical or medically urgent. We offer discounts or payment plans for those that have high insurance deductible health plans, no insurance or have a financial hardship.
Call now to get your life back, 800-958-2588 or visit SiskiyouPT.com
If you like this post or have a question. Comment below.
