Knee Arthroscopy and Partial Meniscectomy
The main purpose of knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy intervention is removal or adjustment of the injured meniscus of the knee to prevent loss of motion and stability of the knee which occurs when parts of torn meniscus obstruct between the femur and tibia during movement of joints. Via knee arthroscopy, the surgeon will also assess the degree of degenerative lesions present and possible joint and tibia involvement during movement and stabilize or correct the degenerated or torn meniscus.
Use of Anesthesia
The amount and type of anesthesia required for arthroscopy and meniscectomy will be indicated by the anesthesiologist. It is possible that during or after the procedure, the patient is required to be given blood due to some minor blood loss. It is also necessary that the patient discloses all necessary information regarding any possible allergies to medicines, anesthetics, cardiopulmonary diseases, problems with coagulation, existence of any prosthesis, current pacemaker implantation, current medicines or any other unfavorable circumstances.
What is the knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy?
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that involves inserting a needle into the joint with a lens system connected to a television camera that enables visualization of the intraarticular structures. In partial meniscectomy, the surgeon inserts some surgical instruments intraarticularly to allow removal or regularization of meniscus or other joint structures. Knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy combines together as an advantage compared to regularization of the meniscus with conventional surgeries such as open meniscectomy or total meniscectomy. It is also possible that during the surgery, the surgeon can make procedural changes according to intraoperative findings to provide more appropriate treatment of the problem.
Some risks of knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy
As all surgical procedures carry some risks and side effects despite use of best possible technique, the risks of knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy are high in cases of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, age, advanced anemia, obesity, etc.
Some side effects of knee arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy
- Pain in the entry portal sites due to irritation of superficial nerves for a few days.
- Joint pain.
- Degenerative joint cartilage pain.
- Postoperative effusion.
- Muscular atrophy.
- Deep venous thrombosis.
- Superficial or deep infections.
- Loss of mobility.
- Neurovascular injury related to loss of mobility syndrome.