Orthopaedic
Arthroscopy Of The Knee Treatment
Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure in which a joint is viewed using a small camera. Arthroscopy gives doctors a clear view of the inside of the knee. This helps them diagnose and treat knee problems.Technical advances have led to high definition monitors and high resolution cameras. These and other improvements have made arthroscopy a very effective tool for treating knee problems.
What is Arthroscopy of the Knee?
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used for visualizing, diagnosing, and treating various problems inside the knee joint. Knee arthroscopy allows doctors to view the knee
joint without making a large incision through the skin and other soft tissues.
This is done with the help of small incisions that allow the insertion of specialized instruments. The arthroscope is a pencil-sized tool that contains magnifying lenses along with
a fibre optic light. This is connected to a small camera that projects a clear image of the joint on a monitor, allowing your surgeon to see all the structures inside your knee and
operates properly.
Arthroscopic knee surgery is used fortreating a variety of common knee disorders, including meniscus cartilage tears, anterior cruciate ligament tears, articular cartilage wear, and
patella problems. Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, your surgeon can use very small cut, rather than the larger cut needed for open surgery. This results in
less pain for patients, less joint stiffness, and often takes less time to recover and return to favourite activities.
Why Arthroscopy of the Knee?
The doctor may recommend you to undergo a knee arthroscopy if you're experiencing knee pain. Your doctor might have already diagnosed the condition that is causing you pain, or they
may order the arthroscopy to help find a diagnosis. In either of the case, an arthroscopy is a useful way for doctors to confirm the source of knee pain and treat the problem.
Arthroscopic surgery can diagnose and treat knee injuries, which includes:
• Torn anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments,
• Torn meniscus,
• Pieces of torn cartilage that are loose in a joint,
• Removal of a Baker's cyst,
• Fractures in the knee bones,
• Swollen synovium (the lining in the joint).
What are the Benefits of Knee Arthroscopy?
Benefits of arthroscopic surgery compared to the older open surgical techniques include:
1. Minimal scars,
2. No overnight hospital stays,
3. Decrement of pain and swelling,
4. Improved motion of the knee,
5. Quicker functional recovery,
6. Fewer risks and complications.
Surgical Procedure during Knee Arthroscopy
Positioning
Once you are moved into the operating room, you will be given anaesthesia. To help prevent surgical site infection, the skin of the knee will be cleaned. Your leg will be covered
with asurgical draping that exposes the prepared incision site. At this point, a positioning device is sometimes placed on the leg to help you stabilize your knee while the
arthroscopic procedure takes place.
Procedure
To begin the procedure, the surgeon will make a few small incisions (cut), called "portals," in your knee. A sterile solution will be used to fill your knee joint and also helps in
rinsing away any cloudy fluid. This helps a great deal to your orthopaedic surgeon to see the structures inside your knee clearly and in great detail. Your surgeon's first priority
is to properly diagnose your problem. Your Surgeon will insert an arthroscope and use the image projected on the screen to guide it. If surgical treatment is required, your surgeon
will insert tiny instruments through other small incisions. Specialized instruments are used for tasks for performing shaving, cutting, grasping, and meniscal repair. In most of the
cases, special devices are used to anchor stitches into bone.
Closure
Most knee arthroscopy procedures last up to an hour. The length of the surgery will depend upon the findings and the necessary treatment. Your surgeon may close each incision (cut)
with a stitch and then cover your knee with a soft bandage.
What after Surgery?
Recovery
After surgery is performed, you will be taken to the recovery room and should be able to go home within 1 -2 hours. Make sure to have someone with you to drive you home and check on
you that first evening. While recovery from knee arthroscopy is much faster than recovery from traditional open knee surgery, it is vital to follow your doctor's instructions
carefully after you return home.
Pain Management
After surgery, you will feel some pain. This is a common when your body is healing. Your doctor and nurses will work to reduce your pain, which can help you recover from surgery
much faster. Medications are generally prescribed for short-term pain relief after surgery. Many types of medicines are available to help manage pain, including opioids, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anaesthetic. Your doctor may use a combination of these medications to improve pain relief, as well as to minimize the need for opioids.
Be aware that although opioids help in relieve pain after surgery, they are a narcotic and can be addictive. It is important to use opioids only as prescribed by your doctor. As
soon as your pain begins to improve, intake of opioids must be prevented. Consult to your doctor if your pain has not begun to improve within a few days of your surgery.
Medications
In addition to medicines for pain relief, doctor may also recommend medication such as aspirin to lessen the risk of blood clots.
Swelling
You must keep your leg elevated as much as possible for the first few days after surgery. Apply ice as recommended by your doctor to get some relieve from swelling and pain.
Dressing Care
You will leave the hospital after 2-3 hours with a dressing covering your knee. You must keep your incisions clean and dry. Your surgeon will tell you when you can shower or bathe,
and when you should change the dressing, it is vital to follow your doctor's order, to recover faster.
Bearing Weight
Most patients require crutches or other assistance after arthroscopic surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to put weight on your foot and on your leg.
Rehabilitation Exercise
You must exercise your knee regularly for several weeks after surgery. This will restore your joint motion and strengthen the muscles of your leg and knee.
What Complications can happen?
The complication rate after arthroscopic surgery is low. If complications occur, they are usually minor and are easily treated. Possible postoperative problems with knee arthroscopy
might include:
• Infection,
• Blood clots,
• Knee stiffness,
• Accumulation of blood in the knee,
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