Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that utilizes an arthroscope inserted through small incisions in the knee. The procedure is used to diagnose and treat a variety of knee conditions and is most commonly performed to remove loose debris or damaged tissue. If you need to undergo knee arthroscopy, you can learn more about the procedure and its uses below.
Knee arthroscopy allows orthopedic doctors to examine and treat knee problems without the need for making a large incision through the skin and other tissues. This results in less pain and stiffness and usually means a quicker recovery and return to previously enjoyed activities when compared with open surgical techniques.
During the procedure, a small specialized camera, called an arthroscope, is inserted into the knee joint that displays detailed images on a video monitor. The surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments to repair or remove damaged tissues.
Conditions That Can Be Diagnosed and Treated with Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of problems inside the knee joint, such as torn cartilage or damaged ligaments. The most common conditions treated with an arthroscopy are:
- Torn meniscus –a common knee injury affecting the meniscal cartilage, which acts as a shock absorber in the knee and helps to cushion and stabilize the joint. During a knee arthroscopy, the surgeon can remove or repair the damaged meniscus tissue.
- Ligament tear– a knee injury that affects the ligaments (the strong rope-like structures that connect bones together and keep the knee stable). Arthroscopic reconstruction surgery is used to repair the damaged ligament or replace it with a graft from a tendon in your body.
- Loose bodies – knee problems such as loose fragments of cartilage or bone inside the joint can cause pain and limited mobility. During arthroscopy, the surgeon can remove these loose bodies and restore normal knee function.
Arthroscopic knee surgery may also be used to resolve other knee problems, such as removing inflamed synovial tissue, treating infections, or treating problems related to the patella (kneecap).
