No, it is not dangerous at all. Instead, it is the safest form of joint surgery. Have you been told or read something against arthroscopy? It is just a myth and nothing more.
To learn more, continue to read below.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive joint surgery. It is a keyhole procedure. It is done with a few small holes, nearly the diameter of a pencil.
There is nothing safer than arthroscopy in joint surgeries or orthopedics. This procedure involves no cuts, blood loss and stitches. It has almost no infection or postoperative complications.
A pencil-thin camera is inserted through a small opening inside the knee to facilitate visualisation. This camera instrument is called an arthroscope. Treatment is also provided if required without large incisions or cuts, using thin instruments other than the arthroscope.
Thus, arthroscopic knee surgery is not dangerous at all. It is safe, successful and effective.
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It Is Not A Surgery In The Traditional Sense!
Many people don’t know that there is a difference between traditional open and arthroscopic surgery.
Most conservative surgical procedures involve opening up the concerned part to a large extent to expose the internal structures, where treatment is needed.
However, this is not the case with arthroscopic knee surgery. For example, suppose you have torn your knee ligament partially. In that case, the surgeon will not open up all the affected knee through large cuts.
Instead, two or three small holes will be made in the knee to insert a very thin camera tool for visualisation and similar suture-making tools for treatment.
Within a reasonable time, your surgery will be over and you can even go home the same day.
Diagnostic Tool
Arthroscopy is not just used for treatment but for diagnosis as well.
There are various imaging tools that help an orthopedic doctor examine various joint conditions, like, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc.
However, sometimes, a doctor might need to examine things more closely to achieve accuracy in diagnosis. In that case, arthroscopy is often preferred and ordered.
Thus, arthroscopy is also a perfect diagnostic tool.
Types
Based on the purpose there are two types of arthroscopy, which are as follows.
- Diagnostic Arthroscopy
- Treatment-Oriented Arthroscopy
Furthermore, arthroscopy is also classified in the following way as per the joint that needs attention.
- Knee Arthroscopy
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Wrist Arthroscopy
- Ankle Arthroscopy
- Elbow Arthroscopy
Purpose
Knee Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat various knee joint problems. The knee can suffer from any of the following conditions.
- Ligament Tears
- Meniscal Damage
- Cartilage Ruptures or Defects
- Tendon Injuries
- Inflamed Joint Lining
Harmful twisting and sudden movements often lead to ACL injuries. Anterior Cruciate Ligament usually tears. This condition requires an arthroscopic procedure known as ACL reconstruction surgery.
Furthermore, each knee has two soft-tissue pads. This structure is called a meniscus. Its damage can also be repaired through arthroscopy.
Cartilage, also articular cartilage, is found on knee bone ends. It allows for smooth and friction-free movements. An injury or harmful external pressure can cause damage to this layer. However, such cartilage defects can be successfully stimulated arthroscopically to promote healing.
Certain autoimmune conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis often lead to chronic knee inflammation. If the inflamed part (joint lining or synovial membrane) is not removed, it gradually damages the entire joint. As a result, osteoarthritic symptoms start to show up early. Thus, to prevent speedy degeneration, synovectomy is recommended.
Synovectomy is an arthroscopic procedure where the affected lining is removed from the knee and inflammation is thereby brought under control.
How To Know If I Need Knee Arthroscopy
People with the following symptoms require this intervention.
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Joint Locking
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Instability
- Reduced Mobility
- Walking Problems
A sudden and direct injury to the knee can cause damage and it requires the affected person to immediately seek medical care. The doctor will examine the condition and recommend knee arthroscopy if needed.
Does It Involve Anaesthesia?
Yes, but you don’t have to be fully unconscious.
There are three types of anaesthesia. In other words, one can be made to lose consciousness during a surgical procedure in three ways.
- General Anaesthesia or GA
- Regional Anaesthesia or RA
- Local Anaesthesia or LA
GA, when administered, causes the patient to lose full consciousness.
RA only makes some of the body parts numb and unconscious but not the entire body. Most knee arthroscopy requires this type of anaesthesia. Only the bottom half of the body is numb. And, you will be awake during the procedure.
Finally, there is local anaesthesia. Here, the anaesthetic is injected directly into the site of operation. Only one specific area becomes numb. However, LA is not considered a valid mode of anaesthesia in knee arthroscopy.
Thus, RA is the preferred mode of anaesthesia during knee arthroscopy. Yet, if the situation demands, GA can also be considered to achieve optimal surgical outcomes.
Benefits
Knee arthroscopy has the following benefits.
Least Invasion: The surgeon doesn’t have to make large incisions on the affected knee. Instead, it is only done with small puncture holes. It means no large cuts, stitches and blood loss. As a result, post-operative complications are reduced considerably.
No Damage: Less invasion ensures minimum damage to the adjacent soft tissue during arthroscopy. It is a safe and successful procedure.
Fast Recovery: The patient recovers faster. There is no requirement for intensive rehabilitation care. One can enjoy normal life from the next day.
Outpatient Procedure: Often, people are given knee arthroscopy in an outpatient manner. Outpatient means there is no need for a hospital stay. The patient will be discharged after 24 hours. One day procedure and the next day you can go back to your previous life.
Conclusion
If you are asking if knee arthroscopy is dangerous, most probably, you must not have researched well enough about it. It is not at all a dangerous procedure. Instead, it is the safest joint-related medical intervention of a surgical sort.
Although it is categorised as a surgical procedure, it is actually performed with just a few small and minor holes, which is the least invasive thing.
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