Arthroscopic knee surgery, sometimes called a knee scan, is a minimally invasive medical procedure used on the knee joint to diagnose and treat knee conditions or injuries. It is performed using an arthroscope, which is a small surgical instrument with a light and camera on the end that is inserted into the knee.
During a knee arthroscopy, the surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your knee joint. The camera displays the images on a video monitor, and the surgeon uses these images to guide the miniature surgical tools.
Because the arthroscope and surgical tools are thin, the surgeon can use very small incisions, rather than the larger incision needed for open surgery.
This results in patients less pain, less joint stiffness, and often a shorter time to recover and return to preferred activities.
A doctor may recommend an arthroscopic examination of the knee if the patient has a painful condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment such as medication, cortisone injections, or physical therapy.
In particular, knee arthroscopy is often successful in helping reduce or eliminate pain associated with damaged cartilage or soft tissue damage.
Many doctors and patients prefer the knee examination over other procedures.
This is because the orthopedic knee surgeon only needs to make a small incision to use the arthroscope.
There is usually less pain in the knee, andstiff joints Less invasive, and easier recovery than other procedures.
Medical history and medications before arthroscopic knee disc surgery
You will be asked to complete a health questionnaire at the time of your consultation and before the operation.
You will also be asked for information about your past and current illnesses, previous operations, current medications and any known allergies.
It is important to report any change in your medication or health condition.
Please take a list of your current medications and known allergies with you to Turkey and submit it to the anesthesiologist who will see you before surgery.
Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, Orodis, Feldene, Voltaren, and Naprosyn should be stopped 10 days before surgery because they may cause bleeding.
Celebrex and Vioxx may last up to the day before the procedure.
It is recommended to stop smoking as long as possible before the surgery.
Stop taking any natural or herbal medicines 10 days before the surgery as they may also cause bleeding.
Continue with all other medications unless otherwise indicated.
Tell your surgeon if you have any abrasions or blisters around the knee.
Please bring any X-rays, MRIs, or other tests you've had that may be related to your surgery.
Bring a list of medications with you to give to the anesthesiologist.
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia, but the final decision rests with the anesthesiologist.
Most of the time, you will be admitted to the hospital on the day of the operation.
You will need to call the hospital on the business day before the operation to notify you of the time of admission.
You will also be given instructions about fasting (ie you will be told when you should stop eating and drinking before the surgery).
The anesthesiologist will see you before the operation.
You will need to discuss your medical history, current medications, and any previous anesthesia problems with the anesthesiologist.
Feel free to discuss with the anesthesiologist the type of anesthesia that will be used (usually a general anesthetic) and its possible side effects and complications.
The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia (ie you are asleep). At the end of the procedure, the knee is injected with a long-acting local anesthetic to reduce pain.
Knee arthroscopy
arthroscopic knee surgery very much like Shoulder speculum.
Knee arthroscopy may be used when a diagnosis is made or confirmed and surgery is performed:
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Diagnostic procedure:
If the patient has knee pain, the doctor may order X-rays or other imaging tests.
However, your doctor may need more information before moving forward with treatments such as surgery.
In this case, a doctor can use a knee exam for diagnosis or to confirm treatment.
To do this, the doctor makes one small incision, then inserts a small arthroscope into the knee, and the images can be viewed on a video monitor.
An example of how this can be used is when a surgeon wants to see a meniscus tear to assess the extent of the damage. -
Performing the surgery or what is known as the arthroscopic knee cartilage cleaning process:
If arthroscopy is used in surgery, small incisions are made at various points around the knee joint, in addition to the opening for the arthroscope.
These additional openings allow the doctor to insert small surgical tools into the area as needed.
Using images from the arthroscope, a surgeon can repair torn ligaments, remove torn or damaged meniscus, remove bone fragments, or perform other treatments.
More about arthroscopic surgery
Unless the patient has another medical problem, knee arthroscopy may be done on an outpatient basis, so the patient will not need to stay in the hospital.
Knee arthroscopy duration In Turkey it generally takes from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the extent of the damage.
When knee arthroscopy is used only for diagnosis, the time may be shorter. While that Knee arthroscopy to treat roughness It may take longer.
Before a knee arthroscopy, the patient will receive a type of anaesthesia. The doctor and patient will determine whether local anesthesia (numbing the knee only), local anesthesia (numbing the waist down), or general anesthesia (putting the patient to sleep) is best.
Post-arthroscopy of the knee
After the operation, the surgeon will close the incision
. Sometimes, only small strips of masking tape are needed.
Other times, one or two small stitches will be required.
After that, the patient rests in the recovery room for several hours.
A physical therapist will also visit you on the ward after surgery.
It will show you some exercises to do. If crutches are required, they will be provided by a hospital physiotherapist.
Do not drive a motorized vehicle for 24 hours after general anesthesia
. So you will need to arrange another transportation home from the hospital
. It is best to go home with a relative or friend. You can only resume driving when your knee is comfortable and there are no restrictions on the operation of your vehicle.
At home, the patient will follow the doctor's instructions, which may include taking certain medications, elevating the knee, getting plenty of rest, and eventually exercising.
Usually, patients can return to light activity within a few weeks, although each patient is different.
You can exercise at home even to the point of mild discomfort. This is not likely to cause any damage to your knee. Avoid deep squatting, kneeling, and spending a lot of time on your feet for the first few days after surgery.
It is important to keep the leg as elevated as possible in the days following surgery.
It is recommended not to travel long distances by car or plane for at least two weeks and preferably six weeks after surgery because prolonged travel can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the leg.
Injuries, overuse, weakness, or aging can hurt your knees, adding to the pain and discomfort.
While recovery from knee arthroscopy is faster than from traditional open knee surgery, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully after you return home.
What are the benefits of knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is an effective tool in diagnosing the condition of your joints and confirming treatment for knee problems such as meniscus tears and cartilage wear. Knee arthroscopy can also be used to treat roughness.
Arthroscopy can eventually provide relief from knee pain and improve mobility.
Maintaining a normal and active lifestyle with greater rest is one of the main benefits of this procedure.
Knee arthroscopy complications
The complication rate after laparoscopic surgery is very low.
If complications occur, they are usually minor and easily treatable. Possible problems after surgery with knee arthroscopy include:
- infection
- blood clots
- knee stiffness
- blood accumulation in the knee
What are the risks of knee arthroscopy?
While knee arthroscopy is a safe procedure for treating knee injuries, there are some risks that patients should be aware of. Depending on the patient's condition and joints, these risks may include joint swelling and stiffness, bleeding, blood clots, infection or persistent knee problems.
What is the recovery period after knee arthroscopy?
The recovery period after knee arthroscopy surgery depends on the patient and his condition. For most cases, patients can return to office work within a week. Many return to a more active and normal lifestyle within 1-2 months.
You can go up the stairs after knee arthroscopy in two weeks
While you can walk one week after the knee arthroscopy.
Pain management after knee arthroscopy
After the surgery, you will feel some pain. This is a normal part of the healing process. Your doctor and nurses will work to reduce your pain, which may help you recover from surgery faster.
Medications are often prescribed for short-term pain relief after surgery.
Many types of medications are available to help manage pain, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and topical anesthetics.
Your doctor may use a combination of these medications to improve pain relief, as well as reduce the need for opioids.
Know that although opioids help relieve pain after surgery, they are narcotic and can be addictive.
Opioid dependence and overdose have become a critical public health problem. It is important to use opioids only as directed by your doctor.
Once the pain starts to improve, stop taking the opioids. Talk to your doctor if your pain does not start to improve within a few days of surgery.
Excessive pain in the knee after arthroscopic surgery is usually the result of being overactive or spending too much time on your feet before the quadriceps muscles are sufficiently strengthened.
Excessive swelling can also cause knee pain.
The duration of pain after arthroscopic knee disc surgery may last for about two months after the surgery, with it gradually decreasing, so this must be taken into account.
It is normal for the knee to be sore and swollen after arthroscopy. Activity should be increased gradually.
If the pain persists for a long time after the operation, a replacement may be required Surgical joint.
Tips to reduce pain after knee arthroscopy
Walking or standing for long periods of time should be avoided for the first few days.
You should avoid squatting, kneeling, or trying to bend your knee more than 90 degrees if the knee is painful or swollen.
Reduce puffiness
Keep the leg elevated as much as possible after the procedure.
Apply an ice pack to the knee for 30 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain.
Anti-inflammatory medications can also help reduce swelling.
At first, the ice packs should be applied to the dressings, and then when the dressing is reduced, be sure to put a cloth between your skin and the ice pack to prevent the ice from burning.
Bandage care
You will leave the hospital with a bandage covering your knee.
Keep your wounds clean and dry.
Your surgeon will tell you when to shower and when to change the bandage.
Your surgeon will see you in the office a few days after surgery to check your progress, review surgical results, and begin your postoperative treatment program.
Knee exercises after arthroscopic surgery
You should exercise your knee regularly for several weeks after surgery.
This will restore movement and strengthen your leg and knee muscles. whereas Physiotherapy after knee arthroscopy Very useful for prolonging the desired benefit from the operation.
The outcome of arthroscopic surgery depends on the results of the arthroscopy and the underlying condition of the joint before the operation.
In cases of meniscus tears with no other joint damage, the results are usually excellent (there may be a long-term tendency towards arthritis as one of the joint's shock absorbers has been damaged).
Symptoms are more likely to persist in patients who are found to have damaged the meniscus (which lines the joint).
This is due to the basic nature of the condition and may be intermittent.
Patients with osteoporosis are unlikely to get complete relief from symptoms after arthroscopic surgery.
Arthroscopic surgery can help in the presence of osteoarthritis if the meniscus is torn or there is loose cartilage in the joint, but it does not affect the underlying condition, which is likely to develop gradually and needs to be repaired. Knuckle replacement.
Sometimes, arthroscopic surgery in the presence of osteoporosis can worsen symptoms for months.
Results in these cases are sometimes disappointing as symptoms worsen, but they can provide excellent relief for some patients.
Playing sports
It is useful to do some quadriceps exercises before the operation. These exercises are designed to maintain the strength of the quadriceps (the anterior thigh muscles). It is also very important to continue these exercises after surgery.
Exercising with even mild pain is reasonable and unlikely to cause any damage to the inside of the knee.
Driving a car after knee arthroscopy
Your doctor will discuss with you when you can drive. Usually, patients can drive 1 to 3 weeks after the operation.
back to work
You can return to work as your knee function improves well enough to do your intended job. This does not mean that all discomfort must be resolved, as there will be some tenderness around the incision sites. It's normal to have some knee discomfort for several weeks after arthroscopic surgery.
Recovery from this process includes reducing swelling, strengthening muscles, and reducing pain.
Abstract
Knee arthroscopy is a safe and effective procedure.
Remember that every knee is unique, and the recovery time and results of the procedure reflect this.
Complications are rare but can occur.
If you have other questions regarding the surgery, please ask your doctor before the operation.
Working with a physical therapist can help you achieve the best recovery.
Therapeutic exercises will play an important role in how you recover. A formal physical therapy program may improve the end result.
Conclusion
Many people return to full, unrestricted activities after arthroscopy. Your recovery depends on the type of damage to your knee that was present.
Unless you've had ligament reconstruction, you should be able to return to most physical activities after 6 to 8 weeks, or sometimes much sooner. High-impact activities may need to be avoided for a longer period.
If your job involves hard work, it may take longer before you can return to your job.
Discuss when you can safely return to work with your doctor.
For some people, lifestyle changes are necessary to protect the joint.
An example would be changing from high-impact exercises (such as running) to lower-impact activities (such as swimming or cycling). These are decisions you will make with the guidance of your surgeon.
Sometimes the damage to your knee can be severe enough that it can't be completely reversed with surgery.