Arthroscopy: How It Feels

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How It Feels

If you are given a local anesthetic before the procedure, you will feel a temporary burning or stinging sensation in your skin. As the arthroscope is inserted into the joint, you will feel a thumping sensation. You may feel slight pulling sensations in the joint area as your doctor moves joint structures around.

If you are given a general anesthetic before the procedure, you will be unconscious and will not feel anything during the procedure. If you are given a regional anesthetic, your arm or leg will be numb for several hours.

You may have some soreness and pain after the procedure. Your doctor will give you instructions on using pain medication and applying ice to your joint (and possibly to elevate it) to reduce swelling and pain. Keep the bandages that cover your incision clean and dry.

After arthroscopy, you may notice bruising of your skin around the incision. This is temporary and should disappear within 2 weeks. It is normal for your joint to feel tender for about a week. Ask your doctor how much bleeding, drainage, or swelling from the incision site to expect. If you needed more extensive joint surgery, you may have more bleeding, drainage, pain, and swelling, and it may last longer than a more simple surgery.

Last updated:	January 29, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer