Arthroscopy

Also, known as Knee scope - arthroscopic lateral retinacular release; Synovectomy; Patellar debridement, arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small camera is used to examine tissues inside the knee joint.

Arthroscopic surgery on the knee involves inserting a small camera, less than 1/4 inch in diameter, into the knee joint through a small incision. The camera is attached to a video monitor, which the surgeon uses to see inside the knee.

Arthroscopic procedures are usually simple and only require a local or regional pain-killing medicine to numb the affected area. You will remain awake and able to respond. In fact, you may also be able to view the procedure on a video monitor.

If the surgical procedure is more serious, general anesthesia may be used. In this case, you will be unconscious and pain-free.

After the camera is inserted, salt water (saline) is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and help control bleeding. Some surgeons also use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding.

A heat probe may also be used to remove inflammation in the joint.

At the end of the surgery, the saline is drained from the knee. The incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied.

When do you need Arthroscopy?

Your medical practitioner will recommend Arthroscopy if you have knee problems, such as:

• If your doctor suspects you, have a torn meniscus. This will be used to either repair or remove the torn meniscus,
• If your doctor suspects that you have a torn or damaged anterior cruciate or posterior cruciate ligament,
• Inflamed or damaged lining of the joint,
• Mild arthritis,
• Misalignment of the kneecap. - This can be very painful and uncomfortable, and
• If you have small pieces of broken cartilage or loose bodies in the knee joint

For a simple debriment, recovery is usually fast. You may need to use crutches and take mild painkillers for a while to reduce the weight placed on the knee joint and to control pain.

For more complicated procedures where anything is fixed or reconstructed, you may have to reduce your movement on the knee for several weeks. Your walking may be restricted and some patients are given casts. Recovery may be anywhere from several months to a year.

What are the Risks in Arthroscopy?

Though arthroscopy is a simple procedure, there are still some inherent risks that your doctor should be able to inform you. Some of these complications may include:

• Bleeding into the joint or hemarthrosis. This is fairly common,
• Damage to the cartilage, meniscus, or ligaments in the knee especially if the surgeon did not do a good job,
• Failure of the surgery to relieve symptoms, and
• Knee stiffness

Since you will also be under some form of anesthesia, you may also be susceptible to some of the risks. These may include having an allergic reaction to medications and problems breathing.

The use of arthroscopy has greatly reduced the need to open the knee joint. This has resulted in decreased length of hospital stay, faster recovery time, fewer complications and less pain and stiffness.

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