Arthroscopy Specialist

The Orthopedic surgeons at the Apollo Hospitals can diagnose and treat many types of bone and joint problems using minimally invasive techniques.  Most minimally invasive orthopedic surgeries are done with the use of an arthroscope, a special thin tool designed for viewing and treating problems inside a joint. The arthroscope is so slim that it can be inserted into the joint through one or more tiny “keyhole” cuts through the skin, rather than longer incisions. The arthroscope is fitted with a state-of-the-art miniature camera and a specialized lighting system that enables the structures inside the joint to be viewed on a monitor. The surgeon can attach special tools to the end of the arthroscope to shave, cut, or remove tissue or bone that are causing problems. Arthroscopic or keyhole surgeries of the joints are routinely performed. The most common arthroscopic procedures include repairing cartilage and meniscus problems in the knee, and removing inflammation and repairing rotator cuff tears in the shoulder. Apollo Hospitals performs over 700 arthroscopies per year. Hip resurfacing is also done through key hole Surgery.

Meniscal Repair

Meniscus is a very important part of the Knee Joint. It mainly acts as a shock absorber for the knee.

Meniscal tears are very common and are frequently missed diagnoses for knee pains following a fall. A meniscus tear can be many types: Common tears include longitudinal, parrot – beak, flap, bucket handle and mixed/complex.

Causes and Symptoms

The causes of meniscus tears are sports injuries, fall and squatting and sudden twisting. Old degenerative knees will tear even by a simple movement like getting up from a chair.

Symptoms may be a pop like sound followed by

• Pain
• Stiffness and swelling
• Catching or locking of your knee
• The sensation of your knee “giving way”
• You are not able to move your knee through its full range of motion.

Treatment

Clinically it manifests as tenderness in the area of the meniscus and the diagnosis is MRI.

Small tears in the inner part of the meniscus at the white zone are trimmed. The larger tears in the white red zone and the red zone are repaired with Arthroscopic Meniscal repair anchors. Rest is for few weeks and then knee bending is commenced.