ARTHROSCOPY Patient Information Leaflet
. Author Department Date created 18 September 2005 Mary Hughes Elective Services Date last updated Updated by Mr Milton Pena Gillian Wright Version 2.0 May 2012 2 of 6
WHAT IS AN ARTHROSCOPY? Arthroscopy literally means looking in to joints using a telescopic instrument allowing inspection of a joint cavity to be performed. The most common joint to be arthroscoped is the knee joint, although increasingly shoulder arthroscopy occurs along with arthroscopy of the hip and ankle WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ARTHROSCOPY? A arthroscopy allows the surgeon to inspect the joint by making a small incision through which a telescopic instrument is passed, which is less than the size of a Biro, enabling a clear view. Removal of torn pieces of cartilage or fragments of bone, which have broken off, can be achieved by arthroscopic procedures. In recent years some specialists have used arthroscopy to look at the small joints of the feet and of the wrist. Arthroscopy has been particularly useful for sports injuries of the knee and in dealing with tears of the medial or lateral cartilages.. ARE THERE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN HAVING AN ARTHROSOPY? Please be sure to ask any questions you may have during your pre-operative assessment appointment or when you see your consultant BEFORE your operation. It is important you know about, and accept, any possible risks BEFORE you sign your consent form. Arthroscopy is a relatively risk free procedure. Infection is extremely rare. Rarely some patients may develop blood clots in the calf called a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If this occurs you will be given treatment to thin your blood. Some patients have a sore throat after the anaesthetic.. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? The surgeon will request an x-ray or in some cases an MR scan to determine the condition of the joint. This is not always conclusive and it is advisable to inspect the joint internally. HOW LONG WILL I BE IN HOSPITAL FOR? You will come into hospital, have your operation and go home on the same day. You will usually be admitted to the Day Services Endoscopy Unit (DSEU), this is a very busy day case /short stay unit with a high turnover of patients and you may have to wait a length of time before you are admitted. There are no fixed visiting times on the DSEU- relatives are advised to ring the unit once the patient is out of surgery and check if they may be allowed to visit. Some patients may need to stay in hospital overnight. This will have been discussed with you in the out patients clinic. 3 of 6
WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I ARRIVE AT THE DSEU? A nurse will admit you onto the unit check your personal details and take your pulse, temperature and blood pressure. Please tell the nurse if you take any medication or if you have any known allergies. Please ensure you also inform the nurse if you have any other medical condition. You will be asked to sign a consent form if you haven t already done so in the clinic. If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will need to starve before your operation. Details of this will be in your admission letter. Please do not chew gum as this causes an increase in saliva. You will be given a hospital gown to wear. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER MY OPERATION? After the operation, you will be taken back to the recovery room and then the ward and asked to rest. Your blood pressure and pulse will continue to be checked. You will be given medication for pain if required. You may feel sleepy after a general anaesthetic. You will have a dressing and a crepe bandage. When you feel ready to eat and drink, refreshments will be offered. Once you are recovered, you can go home and the Consultant or one of his team will discuss your operation with you when you attend the outpatient clinic for your follow up appointment. GOING HOME If you do not have any pain killing tablets at home, you will be prescribed some to take home with you.you will be sent an out patient appointment through the post. You should ask someone to take you home from the hospital. A responsible adult should stay with you for at least 24 hours following your surgery. You will be told whether your stitches will dissolve or if they need taking out. After two days the large crepe bandage can be removed but you must keep the operation sites covered for two weeks, normal water proof band aid are usually sufficient. Often at this time you will be able to walk relatively normally and bend your knee at least to a right angle. You should not operate machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours. If you are worried about your condition, please contact your GP or if necessary attend the Accident & Emergency Department. WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO DRIVE? You should not drive a car for at least one week. WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK? Be prepared to take at least two weeks off work. You will need to get a sick note. Please ask the nurse on admission and they will organise this for you. Depending on the extent of the surgery you will be able to return to normal activities including sport after three to four weeks. 4 of 6
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM FOLLOWING MY SURGERY? Useful Contact Numbers: Day Surgery Endoscopy Unit 0161 922 6219 (24 hrs) Go to Doc (GP service) 0161 785 0805 (out of hours) NHS Direct 0845 46 47 (24hr helpline) Emergency Services 999 You can also contact your GP or the District nurses for advice. Useful Websites/information Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk) NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk/conditions) NHS institute for innovation and improvement (www.institute.nhs.uk) NHS Improvement (www.improvement.nhs.uk) In compiling this information leaflet, a number of recognised professional bodies including the Department of Health, NHS Improvement, NHS Choices, have been used. If you have any questions you want to ask, you can use this space to remind you: 5 of 6
Should you have a visual impairment, this leaflet is available in bigger print or on audiotape. 6 of 6