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What is
Knee Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is described as a "keyhole"
operation that is employed to look inside
and treat the joints, particularly the knee
joint. The operation is performed by means
of very small incisions in the skin, with
the use of a narrow telescope (arthroscope)
connected to a video camera.
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Effects of
Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is done to diagnose and treat
problems such as torn meniscal cartilage,
loose fragments of bone or cartilage, and
even damaged joint surfaces or softening of
the articular cartilage known as
chondromalacia. This procedure is also
effective in treating inflammation of the
synovial membrane, such as rheumatoid or
gouty arthritis; abnormal alignment or
instability of the kneecap; and torn
ligaments including the anterior and
posterior cruciate ligaments.
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Candidates for
Knee Arthroscopy
If you are experiencing signs such as
swelling, persistent pain, catching,
giving-way, and loss of confidence in your
knee, you may be a candidate for knee
arthroscopy. You may especially benefit from
this procedure when other treatments such as
the regular use of medications, knee
supports, and physical therapy have offered
the least or no improvement at all.
Most of the patients for arthroscopies are
between the ages of 20 and 60. On the
contrary, patients younger than 10 years and
older than 80 years have benefited from the
procedure as well.
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Your
Consultation
Upon deciding on undergoing arthroscopy, you
may be requested to go through a
comprehensive physical examination with your
physician to evaluate your health and to
rule out any conditions that might impede
your surgery.
Also, prior to surgery, you should inform
your orthopedic surgeon about any
medications that you are taking. You will be
advised which medications you should
discontinue taking prior to surgery. Your
orthopedic surgeon may also request tests
such as blood samples or a cardiogram in
preparation for your procedure.
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The Knee Arthroscopy
Procedure
Through knee arthroscopy, an orthopedic
surgeon is able to diagnose and cure knee
disorders by giving a clear view of the
inside of the knee with small incisions,
making use of a pencil-sized instrument
called an arthroscope. The scope is
comprised of optic fibers that transmit an
image of your knee through a small camera to
a television monitor. The TV image makes it
easier for the surgeon to carefully examine
the interior of your knee and verify the
source of your problem. During the
arthroscopy, the surgeon can insert surgical
instruments through other small incisions in
your knee to remove or repair damaged
tissues.
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Recovery
The recovery period from knee arthroscopy is
much faster compared to recovery from
traditional open knee surgery. You will be
able to leave the hospital with a dressing
protecting your knee and this dressing may
be removed the day after surgery. You may
shower, but you must keep the water away
from the incisions. Do not soak in a tub.
Keep your incisions clean and dry.
In general, you can walk without being
assisted after most arthroscopic surgeries,
but your orthopedic surgeon may recommend
you to use crutches, a cane, or a walker for
a period of time after surgery. Gradually,
you can put more weight on your leg as your
discomfort settles down and as you
recuperate strength in your knee. Your
surgeon may permit you to drive after a
week.
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Risks
Infection, blood clots, and an accumulation
of blood in the knee are potential
post-operative problems with knee
arthroscopy. These rarely arise and are just
secondary and treatable.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What are the advantages of arthroscopy?
A:
Arthroscopy is useful in investigating knee
problems, treating conditions such as
arthritis and inflammation, obtaining small
samples of tissue, or restoring damage to
tissues and cartilage. This procedure can be
completed as a day case, without the need
for an overnight stay in the hospital.
Q: How is arthroscopic surgery performed?
A:
When a knee arthroscopy is performed, a
camera is inserted into the joint by
creating a small incision (about one
centimeter). The arthroscopic surgery camera
is connected to a fiberoptic light source
and displays a picture of the inside of the
joint on a television monitor. The surgeon
employs water under pressure to "inflate"
the knee, allowing increased maneuverability
and to get rid of any debris. Additional
other incisions are made to insert
instruments that can cure the main problem.
One example is that a shaver can be inserted
to trim the edges of a meniscus tear.
Q: What is the recovery time after
arthroscopy?
A:
Recovery time after arthroscopy depends on
findings and the procedures done. To speed
up recovery and prevent further knee joint
function, a specific activity and
rehabilitation program may be recommended.
Some patients go back to work or school or
continue daily activities within a few days.
Athletes and others who are in good physical
condition often return to athletic
activities within a few weeks, although
occasionally, it takes a number of weeks to
fully recover. It is important to note that
people who have knee arthroscopy can have
many diverse problems, so each patient's
recovery time will differ from another.
Q: Are there specific complications in this
procedure?
A:
Complications from arthroscopy may include
accidental damage to the inside of the joint
or a loss of feeling in the skin over the
knee. There may also be a rare chance of
developing a blood clot in the veins of one
of the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
To help avoid this, most people are provided
a compression stocking to wear on the
unoperated leg throughout the operation. On
the other hand, an injection of
anti-coagulant medication may be given. You
may also develop keloid scars after
arthroscopy. An insignificant percentage of
people have an inherited tendency to form
this type of scar, which are unusually red
and raised.
Q: What should I expect after surgery?
A:
While arthroscopy can be utilized to cure
many problems, you may have some
restrictions in doing some activities even
after recovery. The result of your surgery
will often be determined by the extent of
injury or damage obtained in your knee. You
may be recommended to find a low-impact
substitute form of exercise. Oftentimes, an
intercollegiate or professional athlete
sustains identical injury as a weekend
recreational athlete, but the possibility
for recovery may be enhanced by the
over-development of knee muscles. Physical
exercise and rehabilitation will play a
significant role in your final outcome.
Furthermore, a formal physical therapy
program may add something to your final
result.
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