Arthroscopic knee surgery, otherwise known as a knee scope, is a common term when talking about football-related injuries because knee injuries are quite common in the game. Players often are required to make sharp cuts at high rates of speed, which puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the knee joints. The contact nature of the sport also leads to quite a few knee injuries. And while knee scopes are used for a broad range of injuries, the short answer is that it is OK to play football following a knee scope.
Arthroscopic Surgery Explained
Arthroscopic surgery of the knee actually describes a wide range of procedures. In general, however, arthroscopic knee surgery -- or a knee scope -- is used to repair damaged tissue in the knee such as cartilage, ligaments or bone within the knee joint. It's called arthroscopic surgery because an instrument called an arthroscope, along with other instruments, is inserted through tiny incisions in the knee to perform the surgery.
Major Knee Surgery
The anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL) often are injured by athletes, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) and patella tendon injuries also occur, but less frequently. According to the National Institutes of Health, ACL, MCL and meniscus tears in the knee are common for football players. A tear of these ligaments and tendons is considered a major knee injury and can keep players out of action for long periods, depending on the severity of the tear. If a knee scope is required to fix a torn knee ligament, the recovery time and rehab period is often six to nine months, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. Many football players are able to return to playing the game after a major knee injury. The risk of reinjuring a repaired knee ligament is no greater than it was before the injury, as knee scopes can return the injured ligaments to full function.
Minor Knee Surgery
A minor knee injury such as torn or floating cartilage, or rough bone, can require a knee scope. These surgeries are used to help athletes manage pain in the knee more than to restore stability in the knee. Knee scopes that remove cartilage or smooth out rough bones are considered minor and usually will keep a football player out of action for only a short time, roughly three to four weeks, according to Dr. Stephen Lucie, former head physician with a professional football team.
Player Performance Following a Knee Scope
According to the Sports Injury Clinic, most players are able to eventually perform at the same level following cruciate ligament injuries as they were prior to the injury. The key, though, is to adhere to the rehabilitation program. According to Surgical Services International, it can take between 12 and 18 months to return to preinjury form after a major knee injury such as an ACL tear.
