Knee arthroscopy is a surgical technique that can diagnose and treat problems in the knee joint, through a very small incision in which a small camera – called an arthroscopy – is inserted into the knee, allowing the inside of the joint to be viewed on a screen. The surgeon can thus investigate the knee joint problem – as a diagnostic procedure – and if necessary, the problem can be treated – as a curative procedure – using small tools with the help of arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy diagnoses many problems of the knee joint, such as meniscus tears, erosion of the cartilage surfaces, synovitis, ligament tears, and patella deviation. Endoscopy can also perform treatment, repair, and excision of meniscal cartilage, excision of the synovial and membrane, and repair and restoration of ligaments.

What are the indications for knee arthroscopy?

Your doctor may recommend a knee arthroscopy when there is pain or instability in the knee, or he or she may order an arthroscopy to help diagnose the condition. Either way, arthroscopy is useful to confirm the source of your knee pain and treat the problem.

Arthroscopic surgery can diagnose and treat knee injuries, including:

• ● rupture of the anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments

• ● Meniscal rupture

• ● Deviation of the patella out of its groove
• ● Pieces of torn cartilage and dislocation of the joint
• ● Baker’s cyst removal
• ● Fractures of the knee bones
• ● Swelling of the synovium

What happens during a knee arthroscopy?

Anesthesia will be done as:
• Localized for the knee joint only, which is uncomfortable for the patient and the doctor as well
Lumbar (the lower half of the body is numbed)
• Reginal to the desired lower end only
• General

The surgeon will start by making a few small incisions or cuts in your knee. A sterile physiological fluid or saline solution will be injected to widen and inflate the knee. This makes it easier for the surgeon to see what’s inside the joint. n arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions and the surgeon looks inside the joint from all available angles using the attached camera. The surgeon can see the camera imaging on a monitor in the operating room.

When the surgeon identifies the problem in the knee, He may then insert small tools into the other incisions to correct the problem.

Auxiliaries can be used to refreshing vandalized surfaces

after the surgery, The surgeon drains the saline solution from the joint, closes the incisions with or without sutures, and applies a sterile dressing.

What are the risks associated with knee arthroscopy?

There are risks associated with any type of surgery. Although it rarely happens. Every surgery has the following risks:
• Heavy bleeding during the operation
• Infection at the surgical site
• breathing difficulties resulting from anesthesia
• An allergic reaction to anesthesia or other medications during surgery

There are also risks specific to knee arthroscopy. like:
• Bleeding inside the knee joint
Formation of a blood clot in the leg
Inflammation within the joint
Stiffness in the knee
• Injury or damage to the cartilage, ligaments, meniscus, blood vessels or nerves of the knee

Convalescence after knee arthroscopy?

This surgery is not very traumatic. For most cases, The process takes less than an hour depending on the procedure selected. It is possible for the patient to return home on the same day for recovery. An ice pack may be used on the knee over the bandage. Ice will help reduce swelling and reduce pain.

At home, There must be someone who takes care of the patient, at least on the first day.
Keeping the leg elevated and icing it for a day or two to reduce swelling and pain. Change the bandage as instructed by the doctor.
A regimen of exercise to be followed at home is prescribed by the doctor to help the knee recover as physical therapy, or a physical therapist is recommended so that the patient can use the knee normally. Exercises are essential to help restore a full range of motion and strengthen muscles.