Knee Arthroscopy
What is a knee arthroscopy?
- Arthroscopic knee surgery is a day surgery where small keyhole incisions are made in the knee (as opposed to formal, open incisions). This leads to a quicker recovery and less pain.
- Arthroscopy is generally used in evaluating conditions such as torn floating cartilage (meniscus); removing loose bodies (cartilage or bone that has broken off), patellofemoral (knee-cap) disorders, reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate ligament or to wash out infected knee joints.
What should I do before surgery?
- If you are on blood thinners or fish oil inform Dr Markham, as these should be ceased 7 days before the surgery.
- Also tell him of any cuts or abrasions on the operated leg before your surgery as this can increase infection risk.
- Smoking increases the risk of surgical complications, so do not smoke at least 10 days before surgery and avoid smoking after surgery.
- People who quit smoking before knee surgery have 50% less complications during and post surgery research shows.
What happens during a knee arthroscopy?
- Also called keyhole or minimally invasive surgery, arthroscopic surgery is a simple day stay procedure which involves Dr Markham using a special instrument known as an arthroscope, while the patient is under a general anaesthetic.
- The arthroscope allows him to look into your joint via a very small incision (usually less than 1cm) without having to open the knee joint up.
- With a fibre-optic light and a magnifying lens and camera, the arthroscope provides a very accurate view of your joint to allow a surgical repair, removal or reconstruction of torn tissue in the joint.
- A camera attached to the arthroscope transmits images of your knee joint to a TV monitor for the surgical team to view.
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What are the benefits of arthroscopy?
- Arthroscopy is a day surgery, so there’s no need to stay in hospital for lengthy periods
Optimal recovery due to less invasive procedures - Less risk of infection or after care issues
- Smaller scars than open surgery and less scarring
- Physiotherapy is usually required post operatively and recovery takes around a month.
- The main benefit is it’s less invasive and the procedure generally takes about 45 minutes.
What conditions is a knee arthroscopy generally used for?
- Patellofemoral (kneecap) disorders
- Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate ligament
- To wash out infected knees
- Meniscal repair
- Trimming or reconstruction of damaged ligaments and cartilage
- Note that arthroscopy is NOT recommended for extensive osteoarthritis, where joint replacement is generally the gold standard of treatment after non-surgical approaches have not worked.
What are the risks of knee arthroscopy?
The procedure is very well tolerated as a day surgery and infection risk is low e.g. 1 in 1000.
Some bleeding can occur after surgery and this is normal, however very rarely excessive bleeding may need a repeat procedure to evacuate the blood.
Other very rare side effects include nerve damage or numbness,ongoing pain, blood clots, high fever, severe pain, redness, foul-smelling fluid leaking from the wound, or excess swelling around the wound.
Smokers have significantly higher risk of complications and slower healing time
Some bleeding can occur after surgery and this is normal, however very rarely excessive bleeding may need a repeat procedure to evacuate the blood.
Other very rare side effects include nerve damage or numbness,ongoing pain, blood clots, high fever, severe pain, redness, foul-smelling fluid leaking from the wound, or excess swelling around the wound.
Smokers have significantly higher risk of complications and slower healing time
What is recovery like after an arthroscopy?
- You will have some pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness after surgery, so take pain medication as prescribed as this medication improves inflammatory response and speeds healing.
- Apply ice packs to reduce swelling
- Use a splint, supportive brace or crutches if recommended by Dr Markham.
- You may need to take three days off work and avoid vigorous activity for the first four weeks.
- It can take months for the joint to feel “normal” again.
