The most up-to-date method of treating health problems, caused by overloading the joint, is arthroscopy. It is a surgical technique, in which a tube-like instrument is inserted into a joint, to diagnose, and repair tissues. Thanks to this modern technology, knee arthroscopy can be performed as a one day procedure with  a much faster recovery than conventional knee surgery.

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, used to diagnose and treat of conditions affecting the joints. The technique allows the surgeon to view the internal structures of a joint directly, using an instrument, called arthroscope. It is a small, tube shaped instrument that is suitable to look inside a joint. Arthroscopy consists of a tiny video camera, a system of lenses, and a light for viewing. The technology is most often used in case of knee joint problems, such as meniscus tear, condropathy, ACL injuries, and displaced patella . It can also be applied on shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip and wrist.

Nowadays, the procedure is rarely used for purely diagnostic purposes. The most appropriate diagnostic methods, that are using non invasive technology, are imaging technologies such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography).

• Shorter surgical time
• Less damage of the muscles, ligaments and joint capsule
• Only small incisions are made during surgery that allows quick wound healing
• Faster healing and rehabilitation
• Tha patient can return to everyday life and sports sooner

In addition, there is a further advantage of knee arthroscopy, that the optic enables the surgeon to examine fully the joint, thus previously untreated injuries can be operated too.

Before knee arthroscopy, medical consultation is needed. On the basis of the diagnosis, the specialist decides if surgery is necessary. In case of knee arthroscopy, after preoperative examinations, the anesthesiologist determines that the procedure needs to be performed under general-, or spinal anaesthesia. If there is no contraindication, the surgical procedure is performed in ischemia.

The surgeon makes a few, small incision (approximately 5 mm each) next to the knee cap (patella). Then he/she inserts the arthroscope and the necessery instruments through them, into the knee joint.

In order to make the internal structures, injuries and degenerative lesions visible, the joints are filled with physiological saline and rinsed. Then, depending on the finding, the surgeon treats the meniscus injuries, and the injuries of the cartilagenous surfaces.

At the end of the surgery a so called drain will be left for 24 hours in the joint to prevent the development of hematoma and drain off the excess fluid. After tissue correction, the doctor closes the cuts with stitches.

The seams will be removed one week after surgery. As part of the rehabilitation process, physiotherapy treatment will begin, depending on the type of the disease or injury. To reach full mobility, thrombosis pre-treatment (thrombosis prophylaxis) is required.

After the treatment of knee joint injuries and degenerative diseases of the joint, relief is required with the help of medical equipments.

Recovery time depends on individual cases. Your physician will give you precise information about your treatment and recovery during the preliminary consultation.