what is arthroscopic knee surgery like?

Question

i tore my meniscus so i'm getting arthroscopic surgery to repair it in 4 days and i'm hearing mixed answers:
1) can i leave my underwear on (i'm probably gonna be on my last day of my cycle)
2)is a breathing tube a definite? I hear yes from some people, I hear from other people they use an lma and i hear from some people they just use an oxygen mask?
3) if they use a breathing tube will it definitely be out by the time i wake up?
4) do they stitch the incisions?
5) do they put a catheter in? if so will that be out by the time i wake up?

other than that what's it like overall?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hello,

I'm sorry about your knee. I tore my meniscus this year and had arthroscopic surgery. 

1) Tell the nurse about being on your cycle. They can give you a big pad and will help you with it while you're out during surgery. It depends on the hospital and what their procedures are. Generally when the surgery isn't near that area, you are allowed to wear underwear. I've had two knee arthroscopies this year (one was exploratory, the other was for the torn meniscus). Both times, I was allowed to keep my underwear on.

2) Yes, you will be intubated during your surgery. 

3) Yes, the breathing tube will have been removed by the time you wake up.

4) Yes, you'll have stitches. Since you're having arthroscpic surgery, you'll have two to three 'portals' (small incisions) in your knee. 

5) No, they don't usually put a catheter in. The surgery is quick and when a catheter is used, it's for long, complicated surgeries.
You won't have a catheter.

If you have more questions, please feel free to email me at michellemullen5@yahoo.com and I'll try to help if I can especially since
I've been through it.

Good luck!

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what is arthroscopic knee surgery like?

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