Question 1

1) What is knee arthroscopy?

Accepted Answer

Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a very small incision is made in the knee and a small camera, which is called the arthroscope, is inserted. This allows the surgeon to diagnose the issues with the knee and also correct the condition, if possible, with instruments attached to the arthroscope. It is commonly used to repair torn ligaments, cartilage and other components of the knee joint.

Question 2

2) What is a torn meniscus?

Accepted Answer

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts like a cushion between the two bones which are joined at the knee – the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). If the meniscus gets damaged or torn due to physical activity that puts a strain on the knee joint or rotates the knee joint, it is not necessary that the strain or rotation should be of high magnitude, a simple act like getting up after sitting down for too long can also cause a torn meniscus.

Question 3

3) How long does it take to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?

Accepted Answer

The actual procedure takes 30-45 minutes. You will be kept at the hospital for a maximum of 48 hours. Recovery time can be very different for different people. You can use a cane or crutches for the first few days and further if walking is causing pain. Most people can limp after the first few days, but normal functioning can take up to 6 weeks. The drainage from the incisions should stop in 48 hours, and a normal bandage can be used to cover the incisions. The knee must be thoroughly rested, and no undue strain should be put on it. Sports-related activities and other physically intensive activities should be undertaken after three months of the surgery. Any symptom of complication should be reported to the doctor immediately. Generally, some amount of physiotherapy is recommended during this period to slowly heal the joint back to its normal function. You have to be very careful with your knee, and you should follow your doctor’s instructions religiously.

Question 4

4) Is arthroscopic knee surgery painful?

Accepted Answer

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a minimally invasive process which combined with anaesthesia should not cause any pain to the patient.

Question 5

5) Can you walk right after arthroscopic knee surgery?

Accepted Answer

You can walk with the help of a cane or crutches. The normal function of the knee takes about six weeks to return, so normal walking will not be possible. Some patients are able to limp right after the surgery which is allowed if there is no pain felt while walking.

Question 6

6) Is arthroscopy a major surgery?

Accepted Answer

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure which completes well within an hour. Serious complications arising from the surgery are also uncommon. Hence, knee arthroscopy cannot be called a major surgery.

Question 7

7) How long do I have to wait to walk after meniscus surgery?

Accepted Answer

You will have to wait for six weeks to return to normal walking. You might be able to limp during these days, but most patients require some kind of aid like a cane or crutches to move.

Question 8

8) Is arthroscopic knee surgery effective?

Accepted Answer

Arthroscopic knee surgery is very effective in repairing torn menisci, ligaments etc. in the knee joint, conditions which are caused due to injury. The recovery period of such surgeries is reasonable, and long term complications are rare. Its effectiveness decreases as the knee issue becomes more to do with old age. Studies have shown that issues in older people like osteoarthritis cannot be solely dealt with arthroscopic knee surgery. These require some other treatments like physiotherapy etc. In fact, arthroscopy in such cases has been found to have more long term downsides than upsides.

Question 9

9) What are the complications of arthroscopy?

Accepted Answer

Short term complications of arthroscopic knee surgery include-

Infection at the site of surgery
Clot formation in the veins (Thrombophlebitis)
Damage to the arteries
Excessive Bleeding (Haemorrhage)
Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia or other medications used during the surgery
Damage to the nerves
Feeling of numbness at the incision sites
These complications can be avoided if the surgery is done by a well-trained surgeon under proper conditions. You should follow the instructions of the doctor pertaining to medications, diet, strenuous activities, change of bandage etc. to avoid any of these complications. Make sure you provide the hospital with your relevant medical history and get all the check-ups done as prescribed by the surgeon.

Long term complication of arthroscopic knee surgery include-

Swelling in the joint
The stiffness of the knee joint. (It happens due to scar tissue formation at the site of surgery.)
Cartilage Damage Progression (Usually happens in the case of arthritis where arthritis progresses more rapidly after the surgery as compared to before the surgery.)
SONK or spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (It is a result of microscopic fracture of the bone around the knee joint which causes inflammation within the bone and subsequent pain. The pain is sometimes more than what patients experienced before the arthroscopy. This condition usually gets worse with time, and people end up getting a partial or full knee replacement.

Question 10

10) What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?

Accepted Answer

A torn meniscus, if left untreated can cause more damage to the knee joint and can hasten the onset of osteoarthritis. You can sit, stand etc. without pain but as time goes on and the torn meniscus moves, it will cause excruciating pain and eventually you won’t be able to walk because of the pain. The knee should be given complete rest after diagnosis, and it should be left to the doctor to decide on the best possible treatment after the various tests.

Question 11

11) Can you walk with a torn ACL or MCL?

Accepted Answer

You can walk with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) or Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) but not without some difficulty and considerable pain. There will be instability in your knee, and the knee might swell. Eventually, the pain would become too excruciating to move the knee.

Question 12

12) How much does knee arthroscopy cost?

Accepted Answer

Knee arthroscopy in India ranges from Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 1,80,000 depending upon the hospital. In the US, it costs $5000 or about Rs. 3,80,000.

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