Knee arthroscopy is most advance branch of arthroscopy. In this procedure is done through very small cut. Doctor can see inside your knee joint with the help of camera. Advantage of knee arthroscopy is that patient can walk same day of surgery. Hardly one or two stitches needed.
ACL reconstruction
Knee arthroscopy is most commonly done for ACL ligament injury . ACL is a important ligament in knee joint. It helps in running, coming down from stairs and walking on uneven ground. ACL injury can occur due to road traffic accident or during playing. Patient cannot run after ACL tear or feel that his knee is loose. Patient some time thinks that he has no pain in knee. So he does not need surgery. But it is not so. A knee with ACL tear can become arthritic.in future. Best time of surgery is with in 3 weeks of surgery. Delaying it further can cause more damage to knee.
The patient can get admitted on the day of surgery. Surgery takes less than one hour. The patient can watch surgery on TV if they wish. Hardly two or three stitches needed. ACL graft is prepared from patient's own tendons used as a graft. The graft is fixed with interference screws. We use either titanium or Bio screws. Bio screws are better as after one year they get dissolved by its own. And there is no need to remove the latter. So you can say it is very simple surgery with no blood loss or bed rest needed.
Post operative protocol - Walking is allowed from next day of surgery. The patient needs to do some easy exercises. Dr. Naveen Sharma himself will teach you some easy exercises. The patient needs to wear the knee brace for six weeks. Knee brace has to be worn during walking and sleep. During exercise, you can remove your knee brace. Office work can be started in two weeks time. Running and jumping is allowed after 6 to 9 months.
ACL is a very important ligament. The patient should not delay this surgery as this can lead to damage to knee joint cartilage, meniscus tear and also arthritis. If the patient is above 50 years of age and there is already knee arthritis then ACL surgery can be avoided.
Meniscectomy
Knee meniscus is a washer like structure in the knee joint. They prevent cartilage damage. Meniscus tear is due to twisting injury to the knee. Patient with meniscus tear complain of knee pain, swelling or locking.
Meniscus tear can be either repaired or clear. That depends on the type of tear. There is no bed rest needed. Patient can go to his job with in two three days.
