If you have persistent pain, catching, or swelling in your knee, a procedure known as arthroscopy may help relieve these problems.
Arthroscopy allows an orthopaedic surgeon to diagnose and treat knee disorders by providing a clear view of the inside of the knee with small incisions, using a pencil-sized instrument called an arthroscope. The scope allows transmission of an image of your knee through a small camera to a television monitor. The image allows the surgeon to thoroughly examine the interior of the knee and determine the source of the problem. During the procedure, the surgeon also can insert surgical instruments through other small incisions in your knee to remove or repair damaged tissues.
With improvements of arthroscopes and higher resolution cameras, the procedure has become highly effective for both the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of knee problems.
Knee Arthroscopy
Anatomy
The knee is the largest joint in the body, and one of the most easily injured. It is made up of the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and the knee cap (patella), which slides in a groove on the end of the femur. Four bands of tissue-the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments-connect the femur and the tibia and provide joint stability. Strong thigh muscles give the knee strength and mobility.The surfaces where the femur, tibia, and patella touch are covered with articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is a smooth substance that cushions the bones and enables them to glide freely. Semicircular rings of tough fibrous cartilage tissue, called the lateral and medial menisci, act as shock absorbers and stabilizers.
Anatomy of a Normal Knee
The bones of the knee are surrounded by a thin, smooth tissue capsule lined by a thin synovial membrane. The synovium releases a special fluid that lubricates the knee, reducing friction to nearly zero in a healthy knee.
The articular cartilage cushions the knee joint
Knee Problems
Normally, all parts of the knee work together in harmony. Sports, work injuries, arthritis, or weakening of the tissues with age can cause wear and inflammation, resulting in pain and diminished knee function.
Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat many of these problems:
Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat many of these problems:
- Loose fragments of bone or cartilage.
- Torn meniscal cartilage.
- Damaged joint surfaces or softening of the articular cartilage, known as chondromalacia.
- Inflammation of the synovial membrane, such as rheumatoid or gouty (crystalline arthropathy) arthritis.
- Abnormal alignment or instability of the kneecap.
- Torn ligaments, including the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.
- By providing a clear picture of the knee, arthroscopy can also help the orthopaedic surgeon decide whether other types of reconstructive surgery would be beneficial.