General Information About Arthroscopy What is arthroscopy?
The word arthroscopy is taken from Latin and is derived from the roots meaning artros [joint] and skopi [to observe]. So, arthroscopy means "looking inside the joint."
Arthroscopy, which can also be called "keyhole" surgery, allows diagnosis and treatment to be made through these tubes by placing very small tubes into the joint. It is a surgical method.
Arthroscopy is actually an optical system, and the entire joint is seen on the monitor with a camera attached to the end of the optical system. Since the images inside the joint are magnified 6-10 times, it is possible to examine the structures inside the joint in detail. Images can be recorded on video and photographs can be taken.
What is arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy surgery can be performed by anesthetizing only the leg where arthroscopy will be performed, or by anesthetizing the lower part of the body. Or it can be done by completely anesthetizing the patient. The duration of the surgery is between 30-60 minutes, depending on the severity of the patient's knee problems.
After the surgery is completed, the devices are removed from the joint and the incisions are closed with one stitch each.
Which conditions can be performed with arthroscopy?
• In the treatment of meniscus tears
• In the cleaning of early joint calcifications
• In the removal of free bone and cartilage pieces within the joint
• In injuries to the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments
• In cases of infection or edema in the knee
• In problems of the kneecap bone
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• In the treatment of articular cartilage damage
• In the treatment of intra-articular fractures
Recovery after arthroscopy
Recovery is rapid after the treatment of a simple meniscus tear with the arthroscopic method. Many patients can stand up and walk with weight on the arthroscopy leg on the same day, without the need for crutches, and can do their own work at home. After the first week, he can take short walks outside the home, and after the third week, he can return to his normal daily life. As the number of arthroscopy procedures in the knee increases, this Although the time is slightly longer, recovery is achieved in a relatively short time compared to open surgery.
Advantages of arthroscopy
• Since the surgery is performed through 0.5 cm incisions, there is no large skin incision.
• The hospital stay is short. The patient is usually discharged on the same day or the next day.
• Since the incision is small, undesirable problems such as wound healing problems and infection are very rare.
• Return to work time is much shorter. While this period may take up to 1-2 months in open surgeries, those who do desk jobs after arthroscopy and those who have to work standing in the first week can return to work in 2-3 weeks.
• Unlike open surgery, the use of crutches is not required. After the surgery, if the meniscus or ligament has not been repaired, the patient can stand on it with full weight.
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