Knee joint injuries such as sprains, fractures, dislocations, and ligament tears are a common occurrence in youngsters and adults. These injuries are managed using simple methods like bracing and rehabilitation exercises, while surgery may be required in serious cases. Arthroscopy is often used for both diagnosis and treatment of knee injuries, offering a great solution for reducing pain or repairing damage. According to WebMD, arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that surgeons use to examine, diagnose, and treat abnormalities within a joint. Your doctor may recommend it if you have joint inflammation, have injured a joint, or have gradually harmed a joint.

What is knee arthroscopy?

“Process of arthroscopy involves inspecting a joint by inserting an arthroscope through a small incision in the skin. The arthroscope, equipped with a video camera, light source, and rinsing/suction device, allows the surgeon to thoroughly examine the joint structures on a screen. After identifying any knee issues, the surgeon can use small instruments within the arthroscope to address them,” said Dr Prasad Bhagunde, Arthroscopic Sports Medicine Surgeon at Surya Hospital, Mumbai.

“Knee arthroscopy is recommended for knee problems, such as meniscus tears, misaligned patellas, ligament injuries, fractures, and dislocations. The procedure can also address issues like quad tendon ruptures,” he added. 

Also read: Are You Dealing With Knee Pain: Here Are Simple Exercises To Alleviate Pain

Advantages of knee arthroscopy

According to National Library of Medicine, arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most popular orthopaedic operations performed roughly 2 million worldwide each year.

Immediate treatment

 Knee arthroscopy allows for prompt diagnosis and treatment of joint damage and injuries, eliminating the need for prolonged waiting periods between diagnosis and treatment.

Reduced risk

This procedure carries minimal risk in most cases, with a positive outlook for patients. Recovery time and prognosis may vary based on the severity of the knee problem and the required procedure.

Minimally invasive

 Utilising small instruments inserted into the joint through tiny skin incisions, arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, also known as keyhole surgery, allowing for necessary operations to be performed with minimal disruption to healthy joint structures.

Reduced stress to the body

 Unlike open surgical procedures, knee arthroscopy spares healthy joint structures, resulting in less stress on the body. Post-operative pain is minimised, and healing time is typically shortened.

Accurate Diagnosis

Another advantage of knee arthroscopy is its ability to accurately diagnose and treat various knee conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. The use of small cameras and specialised instruments allows surgeons to visualise the inside of the knee joint with great precision, enabling them to address issues such as meniscal tears, cartilage damage, and ligament injuries more effectively.

 Small incisions

 One of the key benefits is the smaller incisions required, resulting in less tissue damage and a quicker recovery time for patients.

Less pain, quick recovery

 Knee arthroscopy is non-invasive and can be completed in under an hour for most patients. It is a same-day procedure, allowing patients to return home without prolonged hospital stays.

Also read: Gentle Exercises To Using Assistive Devices, Knee Health Tips For Elderly People

Risk Factors of Arthroscopy 

An arthroscopy is generally seen as a safe treatment, but as with any sort of surgery, there are potential dangers.

• It is usual to have short-term issues after an arthroscopy, such as:
• Symptoms may include swelling, bruises, stiffness, and discomfort. These normally improve within a few days or weeks after the treatment.

An arthroscopy is commonly used to determine the origin of joint discomfort and mobility difficulties. The exam can detect joint dislocations or soft-tissue injuries, as well as assess the positioning of prosthetic joints after surgery. If you are facing knee problems then it is recommended to get arthroscopy done from an expert.