Jackson Hospital | Partners | SPRING 2016

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Millions of people every year hobble
into a doctor’s office because some-
thing is wrong with one or both of
their knees.
From the outside, it can be hard to
tell exactly what’s causing that knee
trouble. But from the inside, those
problems can quickly come into focus.
To get that unique inside-out
view, an orthopedic surgeon can
put a pencil-sized camera—an
arthroscope—directly into the knee
joint.
Detailed images from the camera
are sent to a display screen, allowing
the surgeon to diagnose the problem
and, if needed, use other tiny tools to
treat it.
The process rarely requires an
overnight stay in the hospital.
Usually, there’s less pain and a
quicker recovery compared to tradi-
tional open-knee surgery.
WHY GET SCOPED?
Arthroscopy—sometimes called a
knee scope—can be used to repair,
remove or otherwise treat problems
like:
• Tears in the anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) or posterior
cruciate ligament (PCL)
• Torn meniscal or articular cartilage
• Broken bones
• Swollen tissues lining the joint
• Cysts that sometimes form behind the
joint
Dexter Walcott, MD, is part of
Jackson Hospital’s sports medicine team
and works at Alabama Orthopaedic
Specialists P.A. “We perform these
procedures at Jackson Hospital or the
Jackson Surgery Center as a part of the
Jackson Sports Medicine Program,” he
says.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
If a knee scope is in your future, you may
need to stop taking certain medications
in the days leading up to the scope.
You’ll likely be told not to eat or drink
several hours before the procedure.
At the surgical center, you’ll meet with
an anesthesiologist, and the two of you
will decide what type of anesthesia—
local, regional or general—is best for
you.
Once the anesthesia takes effect:
• Your doctor will make a few small inci-
sions around your knee.
• He or she will inject fluid to clean the
joint and to make structures clearly
visible on the camera.
• The doctor will insert the camera; di-
agnose the problem; and, if treatment
is needed, fix it.
PEERING INSIDE PAINFUL KNEES
ARTHROSCOPY HELPS DOCTORS DIAGNOSE AND TREAT KNEE PROBLEMS
JAWBONE UP24, FITBIT FLEX
If you’re a fan of the streamlined look of the original
wearable fitness trackers, the Jawbone UP24 and FitBit Flex
are very comparable to one another. These are definitely
more for guys who are trying to establish good hab-
its—and these wearables have a cheaper price
tag. ($83.99, Jawbone,
($99.95, FitBit Flex,
)
ARMPOCKET
RACER RUNNING
BAND
Dads who dig fitness data probably
won’t want to be without a phone. The
Armpocket Racer is perfect for carrying gadgets
and even a little more. It will fit comfortably around
his bicep (or yours, if he lets you borrow it) and unlike similar
bands, this one features a reflective design on both sides
to help ensure cars, cyclists and other runners
can see him easily. Definitely reassuring. It
also happens to be really roomy, with
space for a phone and some cash.
($29.95, Armpocket,
)
After that, the fluid is drained, the in-
cisions closed, and you’ll spend an hour
or two in recovery before going home.
HEALING AT HOME
Your knee will likely be swollen and pain-
ful after the scope. Prescription medica-
tions can help ease the pain. To reduce
swelling, keep your leg elevated and use
ice as recommended by your doctor.
It’s also important to keep the area
clean and dry and to watch for signs of
infection or unusual bleeding. You may
need to use crutches for a time and do
special exercises to restore your range
of motion and strength.
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons;
National Institutes of Health
ORTHOPEDICS
If you have achy joints, our
sports medicine team can
help. Call 334-293-8500.
Dexter
Walcott,
MD