Arthroscopy literally means looking inside the joint. In this process, the joints are visually examined using fiber optic cameras and technological imaging systems. With the closed arthroscopy method, the joints can be examined without opening. In this way, appropriate treatments for disability, injury and diseases in the joints are made by your doctor. Today, the arthroscopy method is mostly used for problems related to the knee joint.
In general, as in all arthroscopy procedures, the size of the instruments used during the operation in knee arthroscopy is very small. Since the size of the instruments is small, the size of the incisions to be made on the body is also reduced and the patient does not feel much pain during the procedure. In addition, since the length of the incisions is very short (about one centimeter), these incisions do not leave a long-term scar on the body. In open surgeries, the size of the incisions opened in the body is much larger, and therefore the patient will feel more pain. It is possible for patients to return to their normal lives much faster after having an arthroscopy operation compared to open surgical operations. Arthroscopy (closed surgery) method, which provides detailed information to the doctor during the procedure and reduces the margin of error, is a successful method used as a standard in most diseases involving the joints today.
In Which Situations Is The Arthroscopy Method Used?
In addition to the problems occurring in the knee joint, arthroscopy (closed surgical method) is a method that can be used in other joints of the body and has high success rates. Arthroscopy method can be used to treat synovial diseases in the hip joint, problems in the thigh and pelvis, ligamentum teres injuries, and conditions that cause compression in front and behind the hip joint. Arthroscopy method is also used in shoulder impingement, rotator cuff tear, biceps-related tears and recurrent shoulder dislocations. These and similar problems encountered in the anterior and posterior joints of the ankle are easily diagnosed and treated with the arthroscopy (closed surgery) method, which has come to the fore with the development of technology.
What Does Knee Arthroscopy Mean?
Knee arthroscopy is also called closed knee surgery. The arthroscopy method, which was previously only used to detect the problem, is now both a diagnosis and a treatment method, thanks to advancing technology. Knee arthroscopy is a very effective and safe method for the treatment of knee problems.
In Which Situations Is Knee Arthroscopy Performed?
Knee arthroscopy is performed in the following cases:
- Treatment of torn menisci
- rupture of anterior cruciate ligaments
- cartilage transplant
- Filing of damaged articular cartilages
- Stretching tense ligaments
- Removal of free parts circulating in the joint (bone fragments, etc.)
- Diseases related to synovial tissue in the knee
In the detection and treatment of the diseases mentioned above, very good results are obtained with the arthroscopy method.
How is Knee Arthroscopy Performed?
First of all, the patient's current health status and suitability for arthroscopy are evaluated and some tests are performed on the patient. Before knee arthroscopy, local anesthesia is generally applied to the lower back region of the patient, but in some cases, general anesthesia can also be applied. When the local anesthesia method is selected, the patient is awake and can watch the operation on the screen if he wishes. Your specialist will choose the most appropriate anesthesia method.
Two incisions are made on the sides of the kneecap. The dimensions of these incisions are approximately half a centimeter. Through the incision made, a half-centimeter camera is inserted inside. Thanks to this camera called arthroscope, the structures in the joint are reflected on the screen in the operation room and analyzed in detail. Thus, problematic, injured or damaged structures in the joint are accurately detected. If necessary, these diagnosed structures can be cut, corrected or fixed in place with mini tools up to a few millimeters by making incisions not exceeding 1 centimeter in size. After knee arthroscopy, small scars not exceeding one centimeter may remain in the operation area. These scars are not permanent and disappear in a few months.
Is Knee Arthroscopy Surgery Risky?
Each surgical procedure has its own risks and may cause various complications. However, the incidence of complications in the arthroscopy method is less than most other surgical procedures (0.001% – 4%).
What are the Negative Conditions that Can Be Observed After Closed Knee Surgery (Knee Arthroscopy)?
If you experience the following symptoms after closed knee surgery, you should definitely consult your doctor:
- High fever
- Redness and fever in the knee area that does not subside for a long time
- Persistent and unrelenting pain
- Pain radiating to the back of the leg and calf
- Uncomfortable swelling of the surgical site
- Stream
Healing Process After Knee Arthroscopy
The recovery period after knee arthroscopy (closed knee surgery) does not take long. After arthroscopy, your doctor will give you the necessary information, as when it will be possible to walk with full strength to the leg is a situation that may vary from patient to patient. In this process, the patient can stand with the help of canes, walking sticks, walkers and similar tools. Since the incisions used in closed knee surgery are very small, the number of stitches to be made is also low. However, it is necessary not to take a shower and not to touch the area with water until the stitches are removed. If the patient wants to take a shower, they can take a very careful shower with waterproof tapes 5-6 days after the operation. But he should do this with the knowledge and permission of the physician. It is very important not to wet the injured area. Dressing should be done 2-3 days a week. About two weeks after the operation (10-15 days), the sutures are removed by the doctor. The patient should continue to be careful after the stitches are removed. Three months after the operation, jogging can be done on unobstructed flat areas. As of the sixth month, patients can start to do sports that put a full load on the leg, such as football, basketball, and volleyball. If pain occurs in the operation area, the doctor can be consulted and necessary painkillers and antibiotics can be taken. Physical therapy can be used as another adjunctive therapy. Thanks to physical therapy, after knee arthroscopy, the muscles and joints in the legs will become stronger and the healing process will accelerate.
After the procedure, the legs and knees should be kept straight and elevated if possible. If the patient is in pain, he can apply ice to the area over the dressing. The applied ice will help reduce swelling after arthroscopy.
After the operation, patients should not try to drive immediately. Giving weight to the leg can create a risky situation. However, patients can move their knees. Depending on the nature of the operation, it will be possible for patients to drive between 7-21 days.
Discharge Procedures After Knee Arthroscopy
Although it is possible for patients to spend the night in the hospital depending on the situation, patients are usually discharged on the same day after knee arthroscopy. Due to the type of operation performed in the joint, the placement of a drain in the joint or the pain that may occur due to the physical condition of the patient, the hospital stay may take a few days. The recovery process in knee arthroscopy (closed knee surgery) operation is comfortable and fast. However, in this process, patients should definitely not go beyond the recommendations of their doctors.
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