Knee Arthroscopy

Knee Arthroscopy

Meniscus tears, cruciate ligament ruptures in the knee, articular cartilage degradation, and joint membrane disorders limit a person's mobility and diminish their quality of life. Knee arthroscopy, which has been increasingly popular in the treatment of knee disorders in recent years, stands out for the benefits it brings to patients.Op. Dr. Emre Ağar from Medstar Topçular Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Department gave information about knee arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy is a surgical intervention that allows the intra-articular tissues to be examined for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes with the help of a high-resolution camera and monitor.  The device that allows visualization of the inside of the joint is called an arthroscope. The arthroscope illuminates and magnifies the inside of the joint and enables a clear diagnosis of injury and disease in this area.

Knee arthroscopy provides significant advantages over traditional open surgery for both the patient and the practitioner. Arthroscopy allows for detailed visualization of every portion of the knee, including the back. As a result of the clear visualization afforded in tight areas, the area that can be treated is very large. Two small pencil-sized devices are introduced into the joint, resulting in significantly less tissue injury during arthroscopic surgery. This is extremely beneficial to the patient's recuperation.

In which cases is knee arthroscopy performed?

Knee arthroscopy is called closed knee surgery;

Treatment of torn menus
Rupture of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
Treatment of damaged articular cartilage
It is used in the treatment of synovial tissue (joint membrane) diseases.

Other areas where knee arthroscopy is used include

Recurrent joint swelling that occurs for no reason or due to benign tumors
Treatment of benign tumors inside the joint
If there is an infection or inflammation in the joint, the joint is cleaned and a piece is taken
If there is a suspicion of infection in a prosthesis or platinum in the joint, to confirm this suspicion
Treatment of small intra-articular fractures
To make sure that the dislocation in the joint, especially in the kneecap, is in place
Loosening a stiff and immobile joint

How is knee arthroscopy surgery performed?

Knee arthroscopy can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the patient's condition. In arthroscopic surgery, the damaged areas are identified by examining the joint with the help of a camera and surgical treatment is performed by reaching this area with small incisions.

The advantages of arthroscopic surgery compared to open surgery are that the incision site is small, the healing process is fast since the intact tissues are not damaged, the pain is less, the risk of movement restriction and infection is less and the return to daily life is faster.

What should be considered after surgery?  

The patient should not be in a hurry to walk after surgery, and should definitely move under the supervision of a doctor.
Dressings should be applied 2-3 days a week.
Driving should not be started immediately, doctor's instructions should be followed.
Although the incisions are small in arthroscopic surgery, showering should not be done until the stitches are removed and the stitches should not get wet.
Jogging can be done in unobstructed areas 3 months after the surgery.
Sports such as volleyball and basketball can be started 6 months after surgery.
The need for physical therapy will be determined by your doctor.