Knee Arthroscopy

• To visualize the reduction of the intra-articular fractures
• Shoulder – Rotatory cuff repair, Labreum repair
• Osteochondral defects – Transfer/grafting of bone or Cartilage
• To perform Biopsy for all joints
• Joint debridement , lavage, excision of loose bodies
• Non-inflammatory, inflammatory and infectious arthritis

Most commonly we expect this kind of ligament, meniscus tear in sportsman like athletes where they get injuries frequently and require fast healing with less scar.

Arthroscopy is invasive surgical procedure where 2 small incisions are made on either side of the Knee approximately around ¼ inch, one for arthroscope and another one for surgical instruments to cut or treat. Arthroscope is like tube fixed to camera to view from inside. This is an outpatient setting specially done by Orthopedic Surgeon. Patient can get back home on same day after the procedure. Unlike to traditional surgery this Arthroscopy is more beneficial in below ways:

• It is a daycare procedure
• Patients recover within 4-6 weeks
• It is minimal invasive technique
• Arthroscopy includes less pain
• Fast recovery
• Less tissue damage
• Expecting infection after surgery is less because the incisions are too small
• Small scar
• Few stitches due to small incisions
• Arthroscopy is a safe procedure

Preparing before surgery:

Patient has to inform about all his medications, Doctors may stop certain medicines a week or some days before surgery. Patient must stop taking food or any fluid before 6 hours of surgery. Doctors might also ask patient to go for some gentle exercise days before surgery. Pain medication is prescribed before the surgery to keep it ready as they might be required after surgery if any discomfort. General procedure of check up to the patient is done to get assurance that the patient is fit for the surgery.

You can view the surgery on the monitor depending on the anesthesia doctors prefer to give.

Local Anesthesia:

Anesthesia is given to affected area just below the infected area with the injection, just numbs the limited affected part. With this the patient will awake and can fell slight movement and able to view the operation in the monitor.

Regional Anesthesia:

Preferred if both the Knees have to be treated. This makes the patient numb from the waist down. Patient does not feel anything below the waist but the patient will be awake also will be able to watch the surgery on monitor. Anesthesia is given at the spinal cord at lumbar vertebrae.

General Anesthesia:

This type of anesthesia gets the person into full asleep. If surgery is long hours then General Anesthesia is recommended.

This Arthroscopy surgery will not take more than 1 hour. The orthopedic surgeon at first makes the incisions on either side of the Knee and Sterile water or Saline will then be pumped inside to have clear view. With the Saline water inside the Knee, it expands the joint, decreases bleeding and improves the vision thus helps doctors diagnose the problem by inserting Arthroscope attached with camera from one incisions, pictures are viewed on the monitor. If the problem is diagnosed, the procedure is done by inserting another tool from another incision. Both the tools are removed after the surgery and then the fluid is pumped out and closes the cuts with stitches. The cuts are too small that one or two stitches would be enough to close the cuts. The cut can be closed with narrow strips or sterile adhesive tape.

After the surgery the patient is observed for few hours and will be discharged on the same day. Ice pack would reduce the pain and also get rid of swelling after the surgery. The follow up appointment details and dressing details will be shared to the patient Doctors might also recommend pain relief tablets for couple of days to reduce the pain.

Regular exercise routine is informed and also regular visits of Physical Therapist is suggested to have proper exercise regime to get back to normal movement of the Knee. Rest of 2 – 4 weeks is enough to start routine activities.

Risks:

Every surgery comes with small factor of risk, but with the Arthroscopy surgery the risk factor and also complications are very less. If there is any such situation feel free to call up surgeon like

• Excessive bleeding
• Stiffness in the Knee
• Formation of blood clot
• Breathing difficulties

There are the chances patient might get infected because of surgery always call up surgeons in any of these conditions

• Redness in the surgery area
• Swelling
• Fever
• Drainage from the incision area after some days.

Food

Food plays a vital role in any of the situation. After surgery patient has to keep a watch on the food intake, he need to have proper diet like

• Protein diet like Soya, Dairy products, Nuts, Fish, Meat, Eggs, Beans, Cottage Cheese, Poultry are all good source of protiens.
• Fruits
• Vitamin C helps to heal up really fast.

With all these a patient can recover from his surgery really fast and lead a normal life without any pain.