Knee Arthroscopy is an effective way to get instant relief from recurring knee pain. It is a surgical procedure that is used for examining and treating a decayed or damaged knee. Arthroscopy is also helpful for making minor repairs in the knee that might have caused due to an injury.

What is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a type of minimal-invasive surgery which concerns with the examination and the treatment of joints. While performing this treatment surgeon's also use an arthroscope (camera) that is inserted inside the patient through an incision, which provides visual assistance to the surgeon, delivering better accuracy during the surgery.

An arthroscope is a thin tube that consists of a camera and a light, which is used for transmitting images of the internal site for accessing the joints on the monitor during the surgery. Minor repairs can be made merely by attaching a small instrument to an arthroscope.   

Reasons to get Knee Arthroscopy

These are some of the following which might require the patient’s to consider a Knee Arthroscopy:

• Tissue Damage
• Meniscus Tear
• Removing Baker’s Cryt
• Torn in the posterior or anterior
• Knee Bone fractures
• Torn Cartilage
• Relocation of Knee Bone

Knee Arthroscopy Surgical Procedure

Arthroscopy is performed under general anesthetic, regional block, or spinal anesthetic. The anesthetic used in the procedure will depend on the severity of the surgery. In some cases the operation can be done on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient can leave the hospital on the same day the procedure is done.

An Arthroscopy usually takes 30 to 80 minutes depending on the procedure.

Stage 1: The patient receives high-doses of anesthesia on the knee.

Stage 2: An incision is made on the patient’s Knee, through which an arthroscope is inserted inside. Using the arthroscope the damaged site is examined which can also be used for making minor repairs. Arthroscope provides the doctors with a real-time view of the knee that helps in delivering better accuracy.

Stage 3: The knee is repaired, using the necessary devices, or by the placement of any implants or prosthetics, if required.  

Stage 4: The cuts of the patient are closed with stitches once the procedure is complete, and a bandage is applied on the closed incision.

Alternative Treatments to Arthroscopy

Weight Loss & Exercise – Maintaining a healthy weight is the key to fit body, extra weight can increase the pressure and strain on your joints. Several studies claim that obese people have a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis than people with healthy weight. People found that their pain significantly reduced as they started exercising, which helped in reducing their weight and improving their mobility.

Physical Therapy – The pain felt in the joint is an indication of muscle weakness. Physical therapy programs can help in strengthening these quadriceps that can assist in making their muscles more flexible so that they can exercise on their own.

Medication – Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medications like Aspirin, NSAIDs, ibuprofen can work as a painkiller relieving the patient’s pain, however persistent consumption of these medicines can lead to a few side-effects. A patient can also use capsaicin skin creams, which have fewer risk compared to other medications.  

Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine – are a type of dietary supplements used for reducing the pain of osteoarthritis. Some studies have even found that they can work better at relieving pain than placebo. However, it is still unclear how these supplements work or if they can delay the effects of the disease.

Viscosupplementation – If traditional painkillers turn out to be unsuccessful at relieving your pain, hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee. Hyaluronic acid is already present in the knee, which helps in lubricating the joints and also absorbs shock.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) – TKR is very effective; it restores the initial strength of the knee, allowing the patient to patient in sports and other activities once he/she is recovered from the surgery. 

Knee Arthroscopy Cost

Knee Arthroscopy cost in India ranges from $2,000 to $4,500 that can vary depending on whether the patient is opting for reconstruction or replacement surgery.

FAQs

What is the difference between Knee Arthroscopy and Total Knee Replacement?

Knee Arthroscopy is a surgical approach, that is used for the diagnosis and treatment of the joints using an arthroscope (a thin tube consisting of a camera and light), which can or cannot be used in a total knee replacement surgery.

Explore Medmonks.com to learn more about Knee Arthroscopy and other treatment options to kiss goodbye to your joint pain forever.