Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is an excellent minimally invasive operation that allows thorough visualisation of the knee joint in order to diagnose and address various pathology inside and outside the knee joint.

It is keyhole surgery that can be done alone or in association with other surgeries such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction or Medial Patellofemoral Reconstruction for recurrent patella dislocation.

 

Surgical Procedure

Knee Arthroscopy is generally only a day surgery procedure. The patient presents at the hospital the day of the surgery and then leaves within a few hours after the surgery has been completed.

Arthroscopy is usually performed under a general or regional anesthetic. The insertion point is through two or more cuts at the front of the knee less than 1cm long through which a camera or telescope camera and other instruments are inserted to diagnose and treat pathology inside the knee. 

 

Knee Arthroscopy Indications

• Meniscal tear, debridement or repair

• Removal of loose bodies and/or foreign bodies

• Treatment of cartilage damage

• Diagnosis, assessment and treatment of intraarticular fracture

• Assess anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament

• Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

• Treatment of plica lesions

• Assessment of arthritic changes in the knee

• Patello-femoral (knee-cap) disorders

• General diagnostic purposes

 

Knee Arthroscopy Contraindications

• Advance arthritis

• Patient unsuitable for surgery

 

Post Surgery Activities 

To stablise muscles and ensure the surgery is a success, strengthening exercises will need to be undertaken six weeks post surgery. At this time the patient can also return to jogging, provided it is a in a straight line, as well as return to most other sports. At this stage any movement that involves twisting and turning of the knee should be avoided.

Skiing, snowboarding or any similar sport that involves twisting and turning of the knee can be commenced six months after the surgery.