Knee Arthroscopy Surgery in Buffalo Grove, IL
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats pain, weakness, and instability caused by common knee injuries. During arthroscopy, your surgeon works through a few small incisions using a tiny camera and specialized instruments, which means less postoperative pain and a quicker return to daily life than a traditional open procedure requires. At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, arthroscopy is our primary surgical approach for conditions like meniscus tears, cartilage damage, and ligament injuries. Open surgery, by comparison, is generally reserved for procedures like total and partial knee replacement, which is a different type of procedure for advanced osteoarthritis and joint damage.
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained knee specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of knee conditions using arthroscopic techniques. Your care team will work alongside you throughout your procedure and build a personalized rehabilitation plan to help you get back to the activities you love:
- Rohan Gopinath, MD
- Sean Jereb, MD
- Paul Nourbash, MD
- Thomas Obermeyer, MD
- Jason Rotstein, MD
- Patrick Strotman, MD
If knee pain, instability, or limited mobility is holding you back, don't wait for it to get worse. Schedule a consultation with the knee team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists to find out if arthroscopy is right for you.
Precise, Minimally Invasive Treatment
What Is Knee Arthroscopy? Understanding the Procedure
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed through a few small incisions around the knee. These small openings allow the surgeon to insert a miniature camera, called an arthroscope, along with specialized instruments to view the joint's internal structures on a screen while performing treatment. This differs from open knee surgery, which requires a larger incision. At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, arthroscopy minimizes postoperative pain and speeds up healing for the wide range of knee conditions it treats.
Conditions We Treat With Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy can effectively treat many common knee conditions, including:
- Removal or repair of a torn meniscus, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint
- Trimming or treatment of torn or damaged articular cartilage, the smooth tissue covering the ends of bones
- Removal of loose bodies within the joint
- Removal of inflamed synovial tissue, the lining of the joint
- Reconstruction of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Treatment of kneecap, or patella, problems
In most cases, arthroscopy allows our surgeons to diagnose and treat each of these conditions through the same minimally invasive approach, which keeps recovery times shorter and incisions small.
Are You a Candidate for Knee Arthroscopy?
Once your provider has a diagnosis, they'll review your imaging studies, which often requires a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and discuss whether arthroscopy is the right course of action for you. For conditions like cartilage or meniscus tears, arthroscopy is typically considered after a brief trial of nonsurgical treatment, such as activity changes, medication, injections, or physical therapy. For ligament tears or more significant joint damage, moving toward arthroscopy sooner may be the better option. If your knee condition has progressed to advanced arthritis or significant joint damage, your provider may instead discuss whether total or partial knee replacement is a better fit, since that procedure addresses different underlying problems and uses an open surgical approach. At your consultation, your provider will review your specific situation and help you understand which option makes sense for you.
Orthopedic Knee Specialists at BOS
Meet the knee specialists who perform knee arthroscopy for meniscus, cartilage, and ligament injuries for patients across the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is knee arthroscopy used to treat?+
Knee arthroscopy can diagnose and treat a wide variety of knee conditions. Common reasons for the procedure include a torn or damaged meniscus, articular cartilage injuries, ACL tears that need reconstruction, loose bodies floating in the joint, inflamed synovial tissue, and certain kneecap problems. Because arthroscopy is performed through small incisions instead of one large cut, healing and recovery happen sooner.
How do I know if I have a tear in my knee?+
Different types of tears cause different symptoms. A meniscus tear often follows a knee injury, though not always. Most patients with a meniscus tear can still walk, but they may feel pain when bearing weight or bending the knee in certain positions. Other symptoms can include swelling, catching, locking, stiffness, or a feeling that the knee is giving way. If you had a twisting or collision injury, especially during sports, and felt something pop or give way, you may have an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. ACL tears typically cause sudden swelling, pain, and trouble walking. Any of these symptoms is worth an evaluation, which may include X-rays and an MRI to help confirm the diagnosis.
What should I expect during knee arthroscopy?+
Knee arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure, which means most patients go home the same day. Your surgeon will make a few small incisions around the knee, insert a miniature camera to see inside the joint, and use specialized instruments through separate small incisions to complete the treatment. Most procedures are finished in under an hour, though timing depends on the complexity of the repair being performed.
What is recovery like after knee arthroscopy?+
Recovery depends on the type and extent of the procedure. For most meniscus surgeries, recovery is straightforward. Patients typically walk the same day, shower within a few days, and return to daily activities and driving within seven to ten days. Most people reach a full recovery within a couple of months. If a repair involved suturing tissue together, you may need to limit weight-bearing for several weeks, which extends recovery. ACL reconstruction follows a more tailored timeline, since the reconstructed ligament needs additional time to heal fully before a safe return to mobility and regular activities. Your care team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists will review your specific procedure and set recovery expectations that fit your situation.
When should I see a doctor about my knee?+
You should see a doctor if you have persistent knee pain, swelling, stiffness, locking, or instability, especially after an injury. Ligament and cartilage injuries that go untreated can allow the joint to shift out of alignment, which raises the risk of further cartilage damage and can speed up the onset of arthritis. Seeing one of our knee specialists early allows for an accurate diagnosis and a timely treatment plan that protects the long-term health of your knee.
How do I schedule an appointment for knee arthroscopy near me?+
Scheduling with Barrington Orthopedic Specialists is easy. We offer online appointment scheduling so you can book a visit at whichever location works best for you. If you'd rather speak with our team directly, call us at (847) 285-4200. We look forward to helping you get back to the activities you love.