What is Arthroscopic knee surgery?

Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that diagnoses and treats the problem in the knee joint. It helps to diagnose several knee problems through minimal incisions. knee problems such as misaligned patella or torn meniscus can also be diagnosed through knee Arthroscopy. It repairs the ligament of the joint with limited risks to the procedure. The structure of the knee is a complex hinge type of joint which consists of three bones: the tibia (shin bone), the patella (knee cap), and the femur (thigh bone). Ligaments join the knee bones which provides movement and stability. Knee arthroscopy is a less invasive surgery as it includes fewer stitches and less pain after the procedure. Also, the recovery time is faster. An arthroscope is a tiny camera that gets inserted in our knee during the arthroscopic procedure right after the incision (small cut ) is made. With the help of the arthroscope, the surgeon can get a view of the inside of the joint.

Who all needs Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Arthroscopic knee surgery is recommended when one suffers from unbearable pain and stiffness in the joint. Knee arthroscopy is the most common and useful technique used to treat the problem. Arthroscopic knee surgery is performed when treatments like medication and physical therapy fail to treat the problem.
Arthroscopy also deals with problems such as:

  • Swollen synovium
  • Torn meniscus
  • Out of position patella
  • Removal of baker’s cyst
  • Fractured knee bones

Procedure of knee arthroscopy

The patient is recommended to not eat anything long before the procedure begins which also includes any type of medicines. If the patient is consuming any kind of supplements or over the counter medicines they are advised to tell the doctors weeks before the surgery. At first, the doctors will give you anaesthesia which may be:

  • Local anaesthesia which will only numb knees
  • Regional anaesthesia which will numb waist down
  • General anaesthesia which will put you on sleep

Few small incisions are made at first and then the sterile saltwater or saline helps to expand the knees, making it easier for the doctor to see through it. Right after the incision, the arthroscope is supposed to enter. Doctors can see the images produced on the monitor screen. After the surgery, saline drains out from the joint and then the surgeon closes the cut with stitches.

Risks included in Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

Though any serious complication is very much uncommon and rare, still there may be few risks such as:-

  • There may be some breathing difficulties due to anaesthesia
  • Formation of a blot clot can happen in the leg
  • Stiffness in the knee
  • Infections inside the joint
  • Reaction to any anaesthesia or any other medication
  • Damage of the blood vessel, ligaments or the nerves

Recovery after the surgery

Recovery from arthroscopy is usually faster as the surgery is less invasive. Usually, the patients leave the hospital on the same day of the surgery. Some general tips for the patients after the surgery:-

  • Resting all-day
  • Changing the dressing often
  • In case of swelling or pain, the patient may apply an ice pack in the surrounding areas.
  • May use crutches in order to avoid putting weight on the knee

Recovery time may vary, yet the patient can resume with all the physical activities 6-7 weeks. The surgeon might also give some exercise regimen for the patients to follow. These exercises will help you to restore your strength for your muscles. The exercise will differ from patient to patient but they are supposed to follow those regimens as exercise is a very crucial part of the recovery.