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Knee arthroscopy is surgery with a small camera attached to a video monitor to examine or repair tissues inside the knee joint with special instruments.

Description

Arthroscopic surgery on the knee involves inserting a small camera (less than 1/4 inch diameter) into the knee joint through a small incision (barely larger than the camera). This camera is attached to a video monitor which the surgeon uses to see inside the knee. In some facilities, the patient is allowed to watch the surgery on the monitor as well!

After the camera is inserted, saline is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and to help control bleeding. Some surgeons also use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding, which can obscure the picture on the monitor.

After looking around the entire knee for problem areas, the surgeon will make from one to three or four other small incisions to insert other instruments with which the surgery is performed. Commonly used instruments include a blunt hook to pull on various tissues, a shaver to remove damaged or unwanted soft tissues, and a burr to remove bone.

At the completion of the surgery, the saline is drained from the knee, the incisions are closed and a dressing applied. Many surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor to allow the patient to see what was done.

Indications

Arthroscopy may be recommended for knee problems such as: