Knee Arthroscopy

Knee Arthroscopy Treatment & Diagnostics in Sadashiv Peth, Pune

Knee Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy of the knee is a surgical procedure performed for diagnosing and treating issues with the knee joint. Several knee issues like a misaligned patella or a torn meniscus can be diagnosed with knee arthroscopy. It can also help to heal joint ligaments.

The knee is the largest and one of the most complex joints in the body. It is made up of three bones – thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap. Other essential structures that make up the knee joint include –

• Ligaments – Ligaments are what connect one bone to the other bone. There are four essential ligaments in the knee that act like strong ropes to hold the knee together in place and keep it stable.
• Articular cartilage – Articular cartilage is a slippery, smooth substance that covers the ends of the tibia, femur, and back of the patella. It is responsible for helping the knee bones glide smoothly across each other when the leg is straightened or bent.
• Meniscus – There are two menisci in the knee between the femur and tibia. These act as shock absorbers and help cushion and stabilize the joint.
• Synovium – Synovium is a thin lining that surrounds the knee joint. It releases synovial fluid to lubricate the cartilage and reduce friction while moving.

Who needs a knee arthroscopy?

Knee arthroscopy may be recommended if you are experiencing knee pain so that the source of it can be confirmed and the problem can be treated. The knee problems and injuries that can be diagnosed with knee arthroscopy include:

• Baker’s cyst
• Torn anterior cruciate ligaments
• Torn posterior cruciate ligaments
• An out of position patella
• Torn meniscus
• Knee bone fracture
• Loose fragments of torn cartilage
• Swollen synovium (knee joint lining)

When to see a doctor?

If you are experiencing knee pain that is not improving with time, redness or, swelling in the knee, reduced knee motion, then you should see a doctor.

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How to prepare for knee arthroscopy?

Before the surgery, your doctor will ask you about any medication that you are taking and whether you need to stop taking it. You will have to refrain from eating or drinking anything 6 to 12 hours before the surgery.

Knee arthroscopy surgery

Before the surgery is begun, the patient will be administered anesthesia. It can be:

• Local (numbs only the knee)
• Regional (numbs the area below the waist)
• General (completely asleep)

First, the surgeon makes a few small cuts in your knee. After that, for knee expansion, saline (sterile saltwater) will be pumped into it. This is done so that the surgeon can examine the joint. Then, an arthroscope is inserted through an incision. The surgeon will observe around the knee joint with the help of the camera attached to the arthroscope. The images captured by this camera will be visible on a monitor. Once the surgeon will have located the problem in the knee, they might proceed to correct the issue by inserting small tools through the other incisions. Once the surgery is complete, the surgeon will drain the saltwater from your joint and close the incisions with sutures.

Recovery after knee arthroscopy

Since knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery, it takes around one hour and most patients can go home that day itself, for recovery. Patients are advised to apply an ice pack on the knee and a dressing as well. Applying ice helps reduce swelling and relieve pain. You should also try to keep your leg elevated. Your doctor will advise you on how often the dressing needs to be changed. Typically, a follow-up appointment with your surgeon would be needed a few days after the procedure.

Apart from this, your doctor will also recommend an exercise routine that you can perform at home, to help the knee recover. Physical therapy can also help with recovery. These exercises would help restore your knee’s complete motion range as well as strengthening the muscles around the knee joint. Overall, recovery after knee arthroscopy can be quick and easy, given that proper care is taken.