Arthroscopy is a joint camera with a diameter of about 5mm (about the thickness of chopsticks) placed into the joint through a small incision, and then by connecting the monitor with the camera, the cartilage, ligaments, synovium, meniscus and other structures in the joint can be clearly displayed, and the image is magnified 8-20 times, which can fully display the lesions that cannot be detected by X-ray, CT and MRI. At the same time, most of the problems found can be treated microscopically according to the current technology. Gou Lingyun, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Liuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Knee arthroscopy is currently used more often, mainly in the following areas.
1 Arthroscopy Since knee arthroscopy is a direct view under magnification, the camera can reach basically all locations of the knee joint, and can make a diagnosis of articular cartilage fracture, osteoarthritis, meniscal rupture, and cruciate ligament injury in the knee joint under the microscope.
2 Arthroscopic irrigation In patients with long-term knee pain, the presence of inflammatory mediators in the joint makes it very easy to relapse after conservative treatment. Arthroscopic irrigation can flush out the debris and inflammatory mediators produced by wear and tear in the joint. For septic arthritis and joint tuberculosis, arthroscopic irrigation can be followed by antibacterial treatment, which can significantly shorten the course of treatment and prevent future joint adhesions.
3 Arthroscopic debridement Arthroscopic debridement of foreign bodies (e.g. free cartilage fragments, free bodies), shaving of hyperplastic synovium, grinding of uneven articular cartilage, and meniscal debridement can be performed with special instruments.
4 Arthroscopic meniscal suturing and meniscal transplantation
5 Arthroscopic cruciate ligament repair, ligament reconstruction after ligament rupture, cartilage repair and regeneration after articular surface cartilage defect, allograft transplantation, etc.
Arthroscopic surgery is more commonly used in other orthopedic fields than the knee. At present, there are more in-depth studies and more widespread clinical applications of shoulder arthroscopy (including frozen shoulder, recurrent dislocation of shoulder joint, biceps tendon rupture repair, etc.).
Arthroscopy is less invasive and faster in postoperative recovery. It has formed a specialized academic subspecialty in orthopedic surgery. As a minimally invasive procedure, it will occupy an increasingly important position in the field of orthopedics. It will also bring benefits to more patients with joint diseases.