Arthroscopy Surgery

Knee arthroscopy surgery, otherwise known as keyhole surgery, is a surgical procedure that enables a surgeon to visually examine, diagnose, and address issues inside a joint. It involves making at least two small incisions around the knee (occasionally more) to enable a camera attached to a light source (the arthroscope) and instruments to be passed into the knee joint. It provides the surgeon with a detailed view of the knee joint.

Common Arthroscopic Treatments Offered by Mr Griffiths include:

Surgery to the damaged meniscus including meniscal debridement and repair.
Surgery to the damaged articular cartilage including Chondroplasty and Microfracture surgery.
Removal of loose bodies.
Fat pad debridement.
Plica debridement.
Scar tissue debridement.
Tumour excision.
Synovial biopsy and synovectomy.
Joint irrigation and debridement.

Post operative rehabilitation is guided by the physiotherapy team.

Knee arthroscopy surgery is a valuable tool for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes offering a minimally invasive approach to many knee conditions. However, its suitability is very specific depending on symptoms.

The Process of Knee Arthroscopy Surgery and What to Expect

Preoperatively

Prior to your Knee Arthroscopy Surgery, Mr Griffiths will meet with you to discuss with you the risks of the surgery and the rehabilitation back to your normal activities. You will also have a separate pre assessment appointment whereby you are reviewed by the pre assessment teams to ensure you are fit for surgery. They will go through your medications with you and tell you what to stop and when to stop them.

It is important to prevent any cuts or grazes before your surgery as they could pose an increased risk of infection and could lead to a delay in your surgery.

On the day of surgery

The procedure is usually carried out as a day case procedure.

Typically, you will be asked not to have any food for a minimum of 6 hours before your surgery.

Typically, you can continue to drink water up until your surgery.

You will be reviewed by Mr Griffiths and the anaesthetist before your surgery.

The surgery is usually undertaken under general anaesthetic and the anaesthetist will go through this with you before the procedure.

The surgery typically takes less than 45 minutes depending on the procedure undertaken. You will spend some time in recovery before returning to the ward. There will be a torniquet applied to your thigh in theatre and the torniquet will be removed before you leave theatre.

Following the procedure, you will be mobilised with the physiotherapists on the ward and unless stated you can fully weight bear as able. You will be given an outpatient physiotherapy and wound check appointment before discharge.

Following Discharge

If you do go home with crutches, unless stated, you can come off the crutches when confident.

The large bulky dressing (the wool and crepe bandage) can be removed the next morning and you will have two small dressings in place which are to remain until your wound check appointment. You will be given spare dressings to take home. It is important to keep the wounds dry until your wound check appointment. You can shower with the dressings in place.

You can drive when you can perform an emergency stop and most people return to driving within a week surgery.

Your rehabilitation will be guided by the physiotherapists. Depending on the initial reason for you knee arthroscopy, you may experience an improvement in your symptoms very quickly following the surgery. However, it can also take several months for your symptoms to settle as the healing process following the surgery settles.

You will be followed up closely by Mr Griffiths and a member of the rehab team to ensure your expectations are met and your outcomes are fully optimised. Mr Griffiths will guide you on your return to sports upon review at the 6 weeks mark.

Risks

Due to the fact the Knee Arthroscopy Surgery is minimally invasive the risks to the operation are typically low.

Some of the risks include:

Bleeding.
Damage to blood vessels.
Infection – the risk of infection is extremely low.
Wound problems.
Nerve injury. The risk of nerve injury is very low.
Pain and stiffness.
Failure to improve symptoms.
Deep vein thrombosis / Pulmonary embolism – The risk is low due to the short duration of the surgery and the fact you are mobile post operatively. You will however be risk assessed and the options of blood thinners discussed with if appropriate.
Anaesthetic complications – The anaesthetist will review you on the day of your surgery and discuss the anaesthetic options and risks of the anaesthetic with you at that stage.