Arthroscopic Knee Surgery: 4 Major Problems It Can Solve

When most people think of knee surgery, they think of a major operation that involves cutting open the knee and repairing it with metal screws and plates. However, in Tenafly, New Jersey, there is another type of knee surgery called arthroscopic surgery, which is much less invasive. It can be performed using only a few small incisions in the skin. Visits to Tenafly arthroscopic knee surgery specialists have become increasingly popular in recent years. It is less painful and has a shorter recovery time than traditional knee surgery. Which are the major knee problems it deals with?

• Meniscus Damage

A meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones in the knee. It can be torn due to injury or wear and tear. Meniscus surgery is usually performed to repair a torn meniscus. The surgeon will make a small incision in the knee and insert a camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope will allow the surgeon to see the inside of the knee and repair the damage.

Arthroscopic surgery can also be used to restore the normal anatomy of the knee. For example, if the surgeon finds that the bones in the knee are not aligned correctly, they may use arthroscopic surgery to realign them. Arthroscopic surgery removes debris or scar tissue from the knee.

• Ligament Damage

The knee has four main ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability to the knee. They can be torn due to injury or wear and tear. Ligament surgery is usually performed to repair a torn ACL or PCL.

Ligament surgery usually involves repairing the torn ligament with stitches. The surgeon will make a small incision in the knee and insert a camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope will allow the surgeon to see the inside of the knee and repair the damage.

• Plica Excision

The plica is a band of tissue that runs from the front of the knee to the back. It usually is present at birth but disappears over time. However, the plica does not fade in some people and can become thickened and inflamed. It can cause pain and click in the knee. Plica surgery is usually performed to remove the plica.

The surgeon will make a small incision in the knee and insert a camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope will allow the surgeon to see the inside of the knee and remove the plica.

• Kneecap Mispositioning

The kneecap is a small bone at the front of the knee. It protects the knee joint and helps in the movement of the knee. Due to injury, the kneecap can be dislocated (moved out of place).

A lateral release is a surgery to tighten the ligaments on the outside of the knee. It treats lateral instability when the knee moves too much from side to side. A tear can cause lateral instability in one of the ligaments on the outside of the knee or by misalignment of the kneecap.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is a less invasive alternative to traditional knee surgery. Besides, it can treat various knee problems, including meniscus damage, ligament damage, and kneecap mispositioning. Arthroscopic surgery has a shorter recovery time than traditional knee surgery and is less painful.