Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is an orthopaedic procedure used to diagnose and treat injuries or degenerative changes in the knee joint.

The Procedure

• The patient undergoes general anesthesia or local anesthesia
• His/her skin is disinfected with an anti-bacterial solution and a sterile drape is used to cover the non-operative site
• In most cases two small incisions are made near the knee joint
• Sterile salt water (saline) is pumped into the joint to expand it; this creates space for the arthroscope and other tools to be guided to the problem area
• The arthroscope once inserted into the joint, aids the surgeon in his investigation for any trauma, disease or natural deterioration
• Treatment is carried out through the second incision with specially designed medical tools
• The operation concludes with the surgeon suturing the incisions and applying a sterile bandage

An Arthroscope is a slender telescope fitted with a lens system and fibreoptic illumination; it projects a magnified image of the inside of a joint onto a television monitor. The surgeon uses the arthroscope to diagnose or operate pathologies affecting the joint.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat a series of conditions. Recovery is faster than open surgery, less painful and leaves minimal scarring. It may be recommended to a patient if they do not respond to non-surgical treatment.