Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a surgical technique initially developed in Japan and popularized in this country during the 1980’s.  Today arthroscopic surgery of the knee is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures with over one million performed each year in this country.

During knee arthroscopy, small fiber optic cameras (arthroscopes) are inserted into the knee through small incisions to visualize the interior of the joint.  This enables specialists to accurately assess and diagnose knee injuries and disorders.  Examples include meniscal tears, articular cartilage damage or chondromalacia,  arthritis and loose bodies.    Furthermore, injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are also routinely treated with arthroscopic knee surgery. 

Additional small incisions can also be used to place fine microscopic instruments in order to treat and deal with these conditions.  Meniscus tears can be trimmed or resected (meniscectomy) or repaired and sewn together.  Articular cartilage can be debrided (chondroplasty) or resurfaced.  Loose bodies can be removed and ligaments (ACL & PCL) reconstructed.  Furthermore,  biopsies can be performed for inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The small incisions make knee arthroscopy the original minimally invasive technique which has replaced the need for large incisions.  This has led to the advantages of less pain and scarring from knee surgery and subsequently has led to faster recoveries.

The Arthroscopy Association of North America is comprised of specialty orthopaedic surgeons dedicated to the practice and advancement of arthroscopic surgery.  Further information is available at www.aana.org.