Surgery to drain and clean out a joint or joints is done when there is a serious infection in the joint. The infection is called septic arthritis. The surgery removes infected fluid and material from the joint. This type of surgery is often done on knee, hip, and shoulder joints.
Depending on which joint is affected, a doctor may choose to use arthroscopy. This is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor puts a lighted tube with a tiny camera and surgical tools through small incisions near the infected area. The camera is called an arthroscope, or scope. Then the doctor may use tools to clean out and drain the infection from the joint. Small stitches may be used to close the incisions.
If you have open surgery, the doctor will make a cut in the skin near the infected joint. The infected fluid and material are removed. The doctor will close the skin with stitches or staples. You will have a scar on the area. The scar will fade with time.
Your doctor may leave a small tube, called a drain, in the joint. This removes extra fluid. You will probably have the drain for about a day. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for it.
Most people go home a few days after surgery. When you return to work will depend on the type of work you do. It will also depend on whether you had arthroscopy or open surgery and which joint was affected.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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