In the world, the diseases related to the knee are increasing day by day with almost every second person grappling with them and in the medical world, Knee arthroscopy is on demand owing to its unique way of tackling knee problems. Along with that, there are many other unique features that make it stand out from other knee surgeries.
An arthroscope is a tool used by surgeons for correcting problems in joint. It has a camera in it that helps surgeons to examine the damages done inside the joint. What makes it more preferable is that it is lesser invasive than any other surgeries i.e. it needs only a tiny cut on the skin to fit inside.
Not only it is less invasive, it is also time-saving. Surgeons recommend knee arthroscopy over any other surgery because it does not take much time for recovery. To put it more clearly, the tenure of the recovery is even less than an hour. Along with that, the chances of complications are nil what more can you expect? Well, there is actually more that you can expect.
The process of inserting camera is quite easy which begins with surgeons making a small cut in the skin in order to inject a thin tube. The tube is coupled with a fiber-optic video camera that enables doctors to see inside the affected part with the help of high-definition video monitor.
Knee arthroscopy is beneficial in multiple ways. It helps surgeons to detect any knee problem in comparatively shorter time and does not require a complicated process. damaged cartilage, a buildup of fluid, constant joint pain and hardness, floating tiny pieces of bone or cartilage.
Arthroscopy guarantees less tissue damage. As explained earlier a small cut on the skin is enough to get the camera inside. It covers a very small area unlike other surgeries cut opens the whole part in order to get the surgery performed.
Well, usually surgeries take days to get healed but in arthroscope, the recovery time does not exceed over an hour. Along with that, the pain is lesser post surgery. No doubt, it is a revolutionary step in medical science and will go a long way.
As the cut is not a big one, therefore, stitches to close the incision are fewer. Which means the patients does not have to go through excruciating pain while getting it closed. Another positive point coming out of it is that one does not get a long stitches mark and when they are taken out it does not hurt much.
Because the incision is small, the risk of infection slashes by a great number. In fact, very few patients have contracted an infection after the arthroscopic surgery. The surgery is not only convenient for the surgeon and patient both but also a healthy one.
There are few conditions to be followed before surgery. Those conditions are suggested by doctors and include exercises. One more thing that patients need to keep in mind is that they should discuss over-the-counter (OTC) medications or any prescription they are taking to their doctor. Chances are that the doctor would stop you from consuming them.
Some patients are suggested to quit eating 12 hours before the surgery.Some doctors go for pain medication even before the surgery take place that should be filled before the surgery day. One needs to take all the information about what can they consume and what not before the surgery and even after that.
The procedure starts with the doctor using anesthesia. Anesthesia is done to numb the pain that occurs during the surgery. However, it has different types that heavily depends on the length of arthroscopy. For instance, a doctor would prefer stabbing a local anesthetic to insensate only the knee. In case both of the knees requires treatment then the doctor would go for a regional anesthetic that would make a person go numb below the waist. The third option is general anesthetic that is used very rarely. In it during the process the patient is asleep and in case if he/she is awake they can watch the procedure taking place in the monitor.
Surgeons inflict few cuts on the patient's skin and then push saline solution inside. The solution helps in expanding the knee that resultantly assists doctors to have a good look at what is going on inside. After the expansion, the surgeons get the arthroscope inside. The camera attached to it enables doctors to look inside the knee and figure out the problem.
If they are confused they even can take pictures of it. The doctor would proceed with arthroscopy if the problem can be tackled by that. In order to perform arthroscopy, the doctor would insert a tiny tool with the help of arthroscope that will fix the problem persisting inside. Once the problem is redressed the surgeon would take the tool out with pumping to get the saline drained and stitch the incision up.
However, the surgery is not above risks it indeed comes with some unwanted complications. Though the chances are minimal we cannot rule out the possibility of contracting the infection. No doubt, the chances are way lesser than the other surgeries. What makes the case worst is excessive bleeding. Though the cut is small, it does not vouch for low bleeding.
Anesthesia can be followed by different complications. The patient might predispose to allergic reaction post surgery. It could be that the person might undergo breathing difficulties. By breathing difficulties we mean shorter breath and trouble inhaling. There are many more risks that are sourced by knee arthroscopy only. Check them out on the next slide.
Stiffness in the knee prevents any movement that is related to knee and makes the surrounding of area weak. Along with the stiffness, the patient would also feel pain and have swelling. In some cases, the stiffness is accompanied by numbness, pins, needles, redness, and warmth. There are many causes of this problem and one of them is arthroscopy.
No doubt, the damage to the tissues is less in this type of surgeries but sometimes it destroys tissues accidentally. However, it does not have severe consequences but can be counted as a drawback of surgery. Though it is a rare case, one cannot deny its possibility.
If the surgery is not processed properly, it can lead to excessive bleeding in the joint. If the bleeding remains untreated it can lead to serious infection. One should make sure that the doctor they are consulting is knowledgeable enough about the process.
Another risk arthroscopy involves is of blood clotting. Incision needs to be done properly in order to prevent blood clotting from occurring and should be stitched with utter concentration. One can take aspirin to reduce the chances of blood clotting.
One of the positive aspects of arthroscopy is that it does not take much time and one does not have to effort a lot for that. As the patient can get a discharge from the hospital hours after surgery, the doctor gives them few tips that they can follow to recover in no time.
It goes without saying that exercise can help a lot in alleviating the pain post-surgery. The patient should do exercises pre and post surgery. The must do exercises are not complicated one but simple stretchings. The physical therapist can also help. After few days of regular exercising, the full recovery is assured.