The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body, being the main joint in the lower part of the human body. The knee joins three of the bones in the lower area, which are the patella, the femur and the tibia.

Its most important functions are to support weight and create stability in the body. The main movement that this joint has to perform is flexion-extension or rotation once the knee is flexed.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique, which allows the treatment of pathologies of said joint. Through minimal incisions in the patient's skin, the joint can be visualized in its entirety.

The introduction of an arthroscope sends the image to a high-resolution screen, through which the specialist traumatologist views the patient's knee.

The diagnosis of the pathology is made, and the surgical instruments necessary for its treatment are introduced.

There are various pathologies that can be treated through knee arthroscopy, offering good results and improving the patient's quality of life. Some of them are:

• • Traumatic meniscopathies

This pathology is related to the menisci, which are cartilaginous structures located between the femur and the tibia.

It arises from turning movements with the foot fixed on the ground and usually occurs mainly in young people and athletes. The most common symptoms are joint locking, pain when flexing or extending, and crunching at the time of injury.

• • Meniscus tears

As we have explained previously, the meniscus is a cartilaginous structure found in the knee. This pathology is a consequence of extreme torsion with the foot placed on the ground. The symptoms are the same as those of meniscopathies.

• • Cruciate ligament injuries

They are sprains or ligament tears. In most cases, they result from changes in direction, jumping, and other movements that can occur in certain sports. The characteristic symptoms are swelling, severe pain, or loss of movement.

• • Chondral lesions or articular cartilage lesions of the knee

These injuries occur as a result of damage to the articular cartilage, which covers the surface of the joint. The most common symptoms are joint pain, effusions or inflammation and locking in the knee.

• • Joint chondromalacias

This condition is also known as chondromalacia patellae. It affects the surface of the cartilage of the kneecap. Symptoms that help diagnose this injury include discomfort around the kneecap, knee weakness, and knee effusion, among others.

Preoperative knee arthroscopy

The prior study takes on special importance. Before undergoing knee arthroscopy, it will be necessary to perform different diagnostic tests to diagnose the patient's pathology and the exact location.

Some tests that are usually performed before knee arthroscopy are:

• Hemogram: also known as a blood test, in which different important parameters in the blood are evaluated before performing knee arthroscopy.
• Simple x-ray: to detect breaks or abnormalities in the knee.
• Magnetic resonance imaging: with this method, lesions in soft tissues can be observed.

Postoperative after minimally invasive knee surgery

The postoperative period after knee arthroscopy offers good results and, thanks to the minimal incisions, the patient's recovery will be faster.

Usually, the patient is discharged a few hours after the intervention, once the effects of the anesthesia have ended. In some cases, rehabilitative treatment is recommended, supervised by a specialized physiotherapist to improve mobility and strengthen the patient's joint.

Recovery after knee arthroscopy is faster compared to open surgery, since, as it involves minimal incisions, the risk of infections is reduced. In addition, this type of surgery is less aggressive and has minimal negative effects on the patient's tissues.

The patient will have to attend periodic check-ups in which the traumatologist specialized in the knee verifies that the recovery is favorable.

Tips for recovery after knee arthroscopy

Recovery will always vary depending on the case, since not all bodies function the same way.

Some warnings to keep in mind are avoiding standing for a long period, not taking medication that has not been previously recommended by the professional, avoiding getting the wounds wet until they are healed, and finally, using crutches for the first few days to avoid putting weight on the leg at any time. In addition, when appropriate, the exercises recommended by the specialist should be performed, ensuring that the recovery after knee arthroscopy last as little as possible.

What is the meniscus?

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the tibia and the femur; it usually breaks with sudden movements.

Meniscus surgery, also known as meniscectomy, is a knee arthroscopy operation, in which incisions are made in the joint through which the arthroscope (instrument that sends images directly to the monitor) will be introduced for complete repair of the injury.

The duration of the internal meniscus operation is usually approximately 30-40 minutes, this varies depending on the severity of each case.

Recovery from meniscus arthroscopy usually takes around three weeks, during which time the leg should not be supported during that time. The first week is crucial for a good recovery, in which complete rest must be maintained.

In the case of the anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the injury is caused by forced hyperextension of the knee ligaments. This trauma can occur in isolation or as a consequence of a torn meniscus, which can lead to greater severity of the pathology.

Anterior cruciate ligament operation It is performed by removing the torn ligament and replacing it with a graft of tissue from the patient or a donor. This donated tissue is also known as an "allograft."

Why are meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament injuries so common in athletes?

These two injuries arise as a result of playing sports in which numerous turns and sudden stops are made with the foot fixed on the ground, more specifically in sports such as football or basketball.

At the time of the injury, a sharp noise and severe pain accompanied by stiffness in the knee will be triggered, preventing it from being stretched.

Meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament operation recovery time

Recovery from both conditions is usually quite rapid, since the operation involves minimally invasive knee surgery, there is no need to fully open the joint, and therefore the patient will not experience as much pain as with open knee surgery.

The approximate rest period is around one or two months, although this time will depend on each specific case.