It is a very minimally invasive type of surgery that is performed using optical equipment known as an arthroscope, which allows internal observation of the knee. Through small incisions, the arthroscope camera and other surgical instruments that are necessary to correct joint damage are introduced.
Arthroscopy of the knee is widely recommended to solve problems such as: meniscus tear, ligament damage (especially the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament), inflammation in the synovial membrane, free bodies, Baker’s cysts, misalignment of the patella, cartilage defects, among others.
In knee arthroscopy, different types of anesthesia can be used as each case warrants, these can be: local, regional and general. In addition, a special device is placed around the leg (thigh) to restrict blood flow during surgery.
Subsequently, the orthopedic surgeon makes a pair of incisions that serve to insert both the arthroscope and the irrigation instrument, through which a controlled amount of saline solution is administered inside the knee in order to expand the cavity and facilitate visualization.
After this, the knee is ready and prepared for the arthroscope (with its integrated camera) to broadcast live the internal images of the joint to the monitor located inside the operating room; In this way, the surgeon will have an exact knowledge of the injured structure.
Through these same incisions, the surgeon introduces the cutting and repair instruments to solve the problem that is affecting the joint. The surgery ends by draining the saline, closing the incisions with stitches, and covering the area with a bandage to reduce the risk of infection.
The first thing you should do before having surgery is to talk to your doctor about your medical history, including any allergies, previous illnesses, medications, infusions, or supplements taken regularly.
With this information, your doctor will be able to complete the clinical file of your case and timely attend to any new developments that may be found in it.
Your doctor may suggest that you cut back on alcohol and tobacco so they don’t affect your healing; It is also important to notify him of any unforeseen health situation (discomfort, fever, infection or cold), this can cause the operation to be postponed.
On the day of the intervention, it is recommended not to eat or drink at least 8 hours before entering the operating room, to attend the health center punctually and to follow the instructions of doctors and nurses.
Knee arthroscopy is especially recommended in the following cases:
If an injury has occurred to the ligaments in the knee such as the anterior cruciate ligament or collateral ligaments, arthroscopy may be necessary to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligaments.
If there is damage to the articular cartilage of the knee, for example: meniscus tear, arthroscopy may be used to repair or remove the damaged tissue.
Chronic synovitis is persistent inflammation of the synovial membrane of the knee. If conservative treatments are not effective, arthroscopy may be recommended to eliminate inflammation and improve symptoms.
If there is stiffness in the knee joint that does not respond to other treatments, arthroscopy may be necessary to perform release or manipulation techniques to improve mobility.
Knee arthroscopy has several benefits compared to other treatments for joint problems. Some of these benefits include:
Knee arthroscopy is less invasive than traditional open surgery, resulting in a faster recovery and less scarring.
Being less invasive, it is associated with less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery time compared to open surgery, so patients are usually able to return to their normal activities quickly.
Arthroscopy allows for direct visualization of the inside of the knee, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis of injuries or problems present.
During knee arthroscopy, a variety of procedures can be performed to treat specific problems, repair damaged ligaments, or remove damaged cartilage tissue, giving a more targeted and personalized approach to each patient.
Knee arthroscopy is generally a safe procedure, but like any surgery, there are potential risks. Among them we can mention:
Infection:
There is a risk of infection after knee arthroscopy, although it is low. To this end, precautions are taken to minimize this risk, such as: the use of sterile techniques during surgery and the administration of prophylactic antibiotics.
Bleeding and bruising:
During knee arthroscopy, small bleeds or bruises may occur in the affected area. In most cases, these are mild and resolve on their own.
Nerve injuries:
There is a very low risk of injury to the nerves near the knee during arthroscopy. However, surgeons are trained to identify and bypass these nerves during the procedure.
Persistent stiffness or pain:
In some cases, there may be persistent stiffness or pain in the knee after arthroscopy. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as poor healing or the presence of other problems in the joint.
Internet searches on this topic increase daily; For this reason, our specialists take a minute of their time to answer some of the most common questions regarding knee arthroscopy…
Not all the cases we receive have the same complexity, therefore, we take care of giving a personalized recovery prognosis to each patient. However, we could say that simple repair surgeries, for example: removal of a Baxter’s cyst, synovial problems or meniscus or cartilage tears; they usually have a quick recovery.
On the other hand, if fundamental structures of the knee were repaired or reconstructed during the procedure, the period of full recovery may take several months and even extend for a whole year.
Arthroscopy of the knee, as simple as it may seem, is surgery; In this sense, the patient may experience common discomfort such as: a slight persistent pain in the joint area, light bleeding in the wounds (while they heal and heal), bruising, momentary joint weakness, among others.
One of the main advantages of knee arthroscopy is its great aesthetic result; This is because the incisions through which the arthroscope and instruments pass are so small that their scars are practically imperceptible.
During the first week, you should: use crutches, stay at rest, put your leg up to avoid more swelling than normal, take pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. Later (only when your doctor tells you to) you can start a progressive exercise routine that helps strengthen your joint area.
Generally, the estimated time off for simple and uncomplicated arthroscopic surgery is 1 month; After this, they will be able to gradually integrate into their usual activities.
The duration of a knee arthroscopy ranges from 60 to 90 minutes; This estimate includes all stages of the operation (anesthesia, area disinfection, incision, diagnosis, treatment/repair, wound suturing, bandaging, and more).
Here are the main precautions you should take after knee arthroscopy:
Although the percentage of incidents is minimal, we cannot completely rule out the appearance of some associated risk. In the case of knee arthroscopy, these complications can be:
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