Knee Arthroscopy Surgeries (ACL/PCL/Meniscus Surgery) - All About Them!

Arthroscopic Surgery is the most common orthopedic process, which helps in diagnosing and treating joint problems such as in the knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, and elbow.  The term "arthroscopy" is a combination of two Greek terms - 'arthro' means joint and ‘scope’ means look. Arthroscopic surgery helps examine the inside of a joint. During the surgery, a small camera and optical fiber are inserted inside the affected joint through incisions. Obtained images are then projected onto a display screen.

ACL Surgery:

A healthy ACL holds the knee bones together and keeps it stable. ACL and Anterior Cruciate Ligament damages are common among athletes. ACL gets injured when it is stretched or shredded with sudden movement during the activities. An injured ACL can affect one’s daily life as the knee becomes weak to tolerate the pressure making it difficult for a person to play sports or to even walk. Minor injuries to ACL heal over time with some medications and somatic therapies. However, serious injury needs a replacement for the ACL, especially for athletes and young people who are more active. Elderly people are suggested treatments instead of surgery as they are less active. During the surgery, the torn or injured ligament is replaced with a new tissue to stabilize the injured knee. Arthroscopic surgery is typically used by the surgeons for the treatment of one’s ACL.

PCL Surgery:

The toughest ligament that exists in the knee is the PCL or Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Around 20% of the knee injuries are of injured PCL. It is placed in the back or rear of the knee. An injured PCL makes it difficult for the patient to perform most basic activities like descending stairs, walking (they walk really slowly), turning or bending activities, swollen knee, and unstable knee. PCL injuries are classified as per their severity. There are in general three grades: first grade injuries are categorized as minor tear of PCL,  second grade injuries have substantially torn PCL, and third grade PCL injuries have non-functional or completely torn PCL. The surgery is usually given when the patient has a third grade injury to the PCL. The first two grade injuries can be treated with fewer medications and therapies.

Meniscus Surgery:

Menisci is the cartilage responsible for absorbing shock from the bones and stabilizing the knee. This cartilage is prone to injuries in most athletes who participate in contact sports (sports which involve direct physical contact between players). But it can also get injured while lifting heavy weights, squatting or kneeling. An injured meniscus makes it difficult to twist the knee or straighten the legs. A minor injury (grade one or two) of the meniscus is usually treated with medications and physical therapies but severity (grade three) and the location of the injury decides if the patient needs  surgery or not. One might go through some lab tests before the doctor recommends for the surgery. There are three types of surgeries available for Meniscus depending upon the severity of the injury:

1. Arthroscopic surgery

2. Arthroscopic partial or fractional meniscectomy

3. Arthroscopic complete or total meniscectomy

Benefits of Knee Arthroscopy Surgeries:

1. Arthroscopic Surgery involves less introduction of instruments into the body than open surgeries. Hence, it is less invasive.

2. It heals much faster.

3. The post-surgical phase is less painful in Arthroscopic Surgeries than in any other form.

4. Decreases the risk of infection and there are fewer sutures as there are minor cuts/ incisions made for the surgery.

Less damage to the skin and tissue.