What is Knee Arthroscopy?

Knee Arthroscopy is a standard surgical procedure performed using an arthroscope, a viewing instrument, to diagnose or treat a knee problem. It is a relatively safe procedure. Most patients are discharged from the hospital on the same day of surgery.

Knee Anatomy

The knee joint is one of the most complex joints of the body. The lower end of the thighbone (femur) meets the upper end of the shinbone (tibia) at the knee joint. A small bone called the patella (kneecap) rests on a groove on the femoral end’s front side. A bone of the lower leg (fibula) forms a joint with the shinbone.

These bones’ articular surfaces are covered with cartilage to allow the knee joint’s smooth and painless motion. Two C-shaped cartilaginous menisci are present in between the femoral end and the tibial end.

Menisci act as shock absorbers providing cushion to the joints. Menisci also play an essential role in providing stability and load- bearing to the knee joint.

Bands of tissue, including the cruciate and collateral ligaments, keep the knee joint’s different bones together and provide stabilization to the joint. Surrounding muscles are connected to the knee bones by tendons. The bones work together with the muscles and tendons to provide mobility to the knee joint. The whole knee joint is covered by a ligamentous capsule, which further stabilizes the joint. This ligamentous capsule is lined with a synovial membrane that secretes synovial fluid for lubrication.

Indications for Knee Arthroscopy

The knee joint is vulnerable to a variety of injuries. The most common knee problems where knee arthroscopy may be diagnosis and recommended for treatment are:

• Torn meniscus
• Torn or damaged cruciate ligament
• Torn pieces of articular cartilage
• Inflamed synovial tissue
• Misalignment of patella
• Baker’s cyst: a fluid-filled cyst that develops at the back of the knee due to the accumulation of synovial fluid. It commonly occurs with knee conditions such as a meniscal tear, knee arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Certain fractures of the knee bones

Knee Arthroscopy Procedure

Knee arthroscopy is performed under local, spinal or general anesthesia. Your anesthesiologist will decide the best method for you, depending on your age and health condition.

• The surgeon makes two or three small incisions around the knee.
• Next, a sterile saline solution is injected into the knee to push apart the various internal structures, providing a clear view and more room for the surgeon to work.
• An arthroscope, a narrow tube with a tiny video camera on end, is inserted through one of the incisions to view the knee joint. The structures inside the knee are visible to the surgeon on a video monitor in the operating room.
• The surgeon first examines the structures inside the knee joint to assess the cause of the problem.
• Once a diagnosis is made, surgical instruments such as scissors, motorized shavers, or lasers are inserted through another small incision. The repair is performed based on the diagnosis.

The repair procedure may include any of the following:

• Removal or repair of a torn meniscus
• Reconstruction or repair of a torn cruciate ligament
• Removal of small torn pieces of articular cartilage
• Removal of loose fragments of bones
• Removal of inflamed synovial tissue
• Removal of Baker’s cyst
• Realignment of the patella
• Making small holes or microfractures near the damaged cartilage to stimulate cartilage growth
• After the repair, the knee joint is carefully examined for bleeding or any other damage.
• The saline is then drained from the knee joint.
• Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures or steri-strips, and the knee is covered with a sterile dressing.

Postoperative Care Following Knee Arthroscopy

Most patients are discharged the same day after knee arthroscopy. Recovery after the surgery depends on the type of repair procedure performed. Recovery from simple procedures is often fast. However, recovery from complicated procedures takes a little longer. Recovery from knee arthroscopy is much faster than that from open knee surgery.

• Pain medicines are prescribed. 
• Crutches or a knee brace may be recommended for several weeks. 
• A rehabilitation program may also be advised for a successful recovery. 
• Therapeutic exercises aim to restore motion and strengthen the muscles of the leg and knee.

Risks and Complications of Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a safe procedure and complications are very rare. Complications specific to knee arthroscopy include bleeding in the knee joint, infection, knee stiffness, blood clots or continuing knee problems.