Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. It can be used both for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or injuries of the knee. Below you will find further information on the procedure and possible risks of a knee arthroscopy as well as specialists for performing an arthroscopy on the knee.
Knee arthroscopy is one of the so-called minimally invasive surgical procedures. This means that the procedure is performed through two small incisions in the skin. The doctor inserts tiny instruments into the knee.
This keyhole technique has several advantages:
This makes knee arthroscopy a gentle procedure that has now replaced the previously common open knee operation.
An arthroscopy usually takes between 45 and 90 minutes @ romaset /AdobeStock
Knee arthroscopy is performed using an arthroscope. This is a thin and movable tube with a camera.
The doctor uses the arthroscope to look at the inside of the knee. This allows him to view the cartilage, joints, muscles and tendons. A second tube is used during the arthroscopy of the knee joint.
The doctor can use this to insert tiny instruments into the knee.
The following procedures are possible with these instruments:
During the procedure, the doctor rinses the knee joint with a sterile saline solution in order to remove tissue fragments and blood immediately.
Orthopaedic surgeons use knee arthroscopy successfully for the following knee conditions:
The procedure is not suitable for severe knee osteoarthritis. The method is used to alleviate incipient osteoarthritis of the knee and slow down the progression of the disease.
Arthroscopy has various uses: it can be used to detect damage inside the knee. The treatment is also used successfully for minor knee operations.
Doctors also refer to knee arthroscopy as knee endoscopy.
The doctor inserts the arthroscope directly into the joint cavity of the knee. The arthroscope has suction and irrigation systems and a camera.
Depending on the symptoms, the surgeon can view the knee from the inside or perform various surgical techniques.
A monitor transmits the camera image so that the doctor can view the bones and cartilage in detail. He can then decide whether further surgery is required.
He then makes another incision in the skin to insert the necessary instruments. It is possible, for example, to check the strength of cartilage and ligaments with the help of palpation hooks. The doctor removes a tear in the meniscus using small scissors or a burr.
Before the procedure, the doctor removes the hair and disinfects the area to be treated. Depending on the patient's state of health, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia.
In the latter case, the patient is not asleep and there are no risks associated with general anesthesia. Before the surgeon inserts the arthroscope into the knee, he applies a tourniquet. This is intended to ensure that the area to be operated on is drained of blood so that significantly less bleeding occurs.
After the procedure, the doctor removes the arthroscope and inserts drainage tubes into the wound. This allows the blood to drain better. He sutures the small incisions together and applies a bandage. The stitches are removed after just a few days.
Before the knee arthroscopy, the doctor performs a number of imaging procedures such as an MRI or CT scan of the knee. This way, he already knows what to expect during the arthroscopy.
What you need to do after the operation depends on whether the procedure is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis. Even if the procedure is performed as an inpatient, doctors recommend a three-day stay in hospital. At least until the drainage tubes have been removed.
You should rest your leg immediately after the procedure. You can start physiotherapy soon after the operation to restore full knee function.
Four to six weeks after the knee arthroscopy, the leg can be fully loaded again. This is much quicker than with the knee surgery that used to be standard.
Sick leave after knee arthrosis usually lasts four to six weeks. The duration depends on your profession and how much strain you put on the knee.
The stitches are removed after 12 - 14 days @ Patryk Kosmider /AdobeStock
Knee arthroscopy is considered a very safe and gentle procedure with hardly any side effects. The risk of injury to the surrounding nerves and vessels is very low.
The following general complications can occur:
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
