Ankle Arthroscopy

Precision in Every Step.

Restoring Natural Movement.

Advanced ankle arthroscopy techniques focused on precise treatment, joint preservation and helping patients return to an active lifestyle.

What Is Knee Arthroscopy and How Is It Performed?

Knee arthroscopy is a procedure used to examine and treat the inside of the knee using an optical instrument called an arthroscope. The procedure can be performed under general, regional, or local anesthesia.

The arthroscope is a tube approximately the thickness of a pencil. It is equipped to introduce physiological fluid into the knee joint and provides illumination inside the joint while transmitting the images to a monitor.

Knee arthroscopy can be used both for diagnostic purposes, to identify the causes of symptoms such as pain, swelling, and loss of function, and for interventional purposes, to treat the underlying condition.

Arthroscopy should not be performed if the patient has a general or local infection or a skin lesion at the planned incision site.

What Are the Advantages of Knee Arthroscopy?

Because the knee joint does not need to be opened during this surgical procedure, postoperative tissue damage is minimal. The procedure is performed through very small incisions and can improve diagnostic accuracy.

Compared with open surgery, arthroscopy generally has fewer secondary effects and a lower cost.

What Are the Disadvantages of Knee Arthroscopy?

Because the procedure is performed within a confined space, insufficient experience or lack of adequate attention may, although rarely, result in damage to structures inside the joint, particularly the cartilage.

What Surgeries Can Be Performed Using Knee Arthroscopy?

A variety of procedures can be performed arthroscopically, including:

Meniscus repair
Meniscectomy
Treatment of cartilage damage
Anterior and posterior cruciate ligament repair
Removal of foreign bodies or loose cartilage fragments from the knee
Plica excision
Synovectomy

What Side Effects and Complications Can Occur During and After Knee Arthroscopy?

The complication rate associated with knee arthroscopy ranges from approximately 0.1% to 1%.

Although very rare, potential complications related to the surgical procedure include:

Infection and joint stiffness: Infection or postoperative stiffness may occur.

Osteoarthritis following meniscectomy: In cases where a meniscus cannot be repaired and needs to be removed, osteoarthritis within the knee may develop over the following years.

Re-tear of a repaired meniscus: A repaired meniscus may tear again, potentially requiring additional surgery.

Joint fluid accumulation: Following surgery, the amount and biochemical characteristics of the synovial fluid within the knee may change, causing swelling. This can result in a feeling of tension, pain, and restricted movement. The accumulated fluid may need to be aspirated with a syringe and analyzed. In most cases, this condition resolves spontaneously.

Thrombophlebitis: Blood clot formation in the veins of the operated leg can impair circulation. In severe cases, a fragment of the clot may travel to the lungs and cause respiratory failure, making this a serious complication. Patients considered at risk may receive blood-thinning medication during and after surgery.

Nerve-related skin sensation changes: Small nerves beneath the skin may be affected around the incision site, potentially causing a small area of pain, reduced sensation, or increased sensitivity.