Arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) of the knee is a surgical technique for looking inside the joint with a small telescope. It is normally performed under general anesthetic (you are asleep) and allows a good view of the joint and minor or major operations can be carried out through it. It is particularly useful in the diagnosis and treatment of cartilage and ligament problems of the knee.

What are the Benefits of the Procedure?
The keyhole technique has the following advantages compared to open technique.

1. Less pain after the procedure

2. Shorter hospital stay & quicker recovery

3. Tissue cut is very minimal

4. The blood loss is negligible

5. Barely visible scars

6.Lower risk of infection

Indication for Knee Arthroscopy

• 1. Meniscal injury – repair or partial menisectomy
• 2. ACL / PCL Reconstruction
• 3. Synovitis (acute or chronic) – Biopsy/ synovectomy
• 4. Arthirtis-lavage & debridement
• 5. loose body removal/cyst excision
• 6. microfracturing for condral defect
• 7. Septic arthitis – drainage and lavage
• 8. chronic pain in young
• 9. Patello – femoral arthritis – Chondroplasty / lateral release
• 10. Pain after knee replacement
• 11. Diagnostic & Miscellaneous
• 12.Pre patellar bursa excision

Knee Anatomy
Your knee consists of the following structures:

Cartilage
1) The articular cartilage (A) or “shiny cartilage”. This covers the ends of the femur, tibia, and patella (knee cap) to reduce friction.

2) The menisci (B) are small, horse shoe shaped pieces of cartilage that act as cushions in the knee joint. They sit between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia), one on the outer side (lateral meniscus) and one on the inner side of the knee (medial meniscus).

Ligaments
The ligaments (C) hold the bones together. There are strong ligaments situated both inside and outside the knee joint which help to protect the joint and to provide stability during movement.

The Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur to the tibia. It functions as a stabilizer of the knee joint and it resists forward movement of the tibia on the femur, it also acts to prevent the tibia from excessive rotation when pivoting.

Disorders and Their Early Warnings
1. History of injury & pain while bending or squatting –Meniscal Tear

2. History of injury & instability while turning or playing – ACL Tear

3. Pain while climbing steps – PF Arthritis

4. Knee pain / deformity in the elderly / inability to sit cross-legged on the floor – Osteoarthritis

The other major ligaments of the knee are the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). Injury or disease involving any of these structures can be dealt with key-hole surgery. Some of the procedures which are done routinely are shown in the images.

After the surgery, you will need to rest your knee for the first two to three days and try to keep your leg elevated as much as possible to prevent swelling. You will be able to walk on the day of your surgery and may mobilize freely around the house but long walks or standing for long periods should be avoided for one to two weeks after surgery.