Knee Arthoscopy

Indications

Diagnosis and treatment of meniscus and articular cartilage problems
Removal of loose bodies
Washout of septic arthritis
Synovial biopsy
Ligament reconstruction

Diagnosis and investigations

Diagnosis usually clinical
Investigations – Radiographs
– MRI

Preoperative

Consent and place mark on limb to be operated
Safe surgery check list

Anaesthesia

General Anaesthesia or Regional anaesthesia

Examination under Anaesthesia

Important step prior to every arthroscopy
Assess range of movements
Ligament stability- collateral ligaments, Lachman test, Pivot shift
Patella tracking

Set-up

Patient supine
Leg holder or side support to help control joint position
Bottom end of table removed if using leg holder
Soft support underneath opposite thigh to flex the hip
Tourniquet applied high up in the thigh

Standard portals

Anterolateral and Anteromedial

Accessory portals

Superolateral portal as drainage portal
Lateral portal to remove loose body from gutter
Posteromedial portal to visualise back of knee
Accessory anterior portal for bucket handle tears menisci

Diagnostic Arthroscopy

Sequence of examination of joint
Start with camera in anterolateral portal
Visualise patellofemoral joint and then in to medial compartment
Make anteromedial portal
Go back into patella femoral joint and probe via anteromedial portal
Examine suprapatellar pouch and lateral and medial gutters
Medial compartment- meniscus and cartilage
Then examine notch and transfer scope in to the lateral compartment
Assess ACL and PCL
Lateral compartment- meniscus and cartilage

Wound Closure

Steristrips or simple suture
Bulky bandage

Local anaesthetic

Infiltration to joint and/or around portals

Postoperative

Mobilise weight bearing as comfort allows
Remove bulky bandage at 24-48 hours
Simple adhesive dressing
Increase range of movements
Physiotherapy

Possible Complications

Residual pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Bleeding
Painful portals
Infection – rare (<0.1%) Thrombosis – (<0.1%) Nerve injury – 0.01% Complex regional pain syndrome[/su_spoiler]