If knee pain or injury is affecting your quality of life, you’re in the right place. Understanding the knee's anatomy and the common conditions treated with knee arthroscopy can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.
Overview of Knee Anatomy
The knee is a complex joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It also involves the smaller bone of the lower leg, the fibula, and the kneecap (patella). The knee joint is stabilized by several key structures:
- Meniscus: C-shaped flexible fibro-cartilage (cushion cartilage) that acts as a shock absorber between the bones. There are 2 such menisci – medial and lateral meniscus – inside the knee joint.
- Ligaments: Strong bands of collagen tissue that connect bones and provide stability. The major ligaments in the knee are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) which are present inside the knee, and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) which are present on the outer aspect of the knee.
- Articular Cartilage: Tough but smooth collagen tissue that covers the ends of bones and the back of the knee cap (patella) allowing them to glide smoothly over each other without any friction.
- Synovium: A smooth inner lining of the joint that produces fluid to lubricate the joint.
Common Knee Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy (key-hole surgery)
1. Meniscal Tears
The meniscus is crucial for cushioning the knee and distributing weight evenly. Tears in the meniscus can cause pain, swelling, locking and limitation of movement in the knee. Arthroscopic surgery can be used repair or trim the damaged meniscus, relieving symptoms and improving knee function.
2. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
The ACL is one of the main ligaments that provides stability to the knee. Injuries to the ACL, often caused by sports or sudden movements, can lead to pain, swelling, and instability (feeling of giving way). Arthroscopic surgery can used to reconstruct or repair the torn ACL, restoring knee stability and function.
3. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries
The PCL helps maintain stability by preventing the tibia from moving too far backward. Injuries to the PCL are caused by serious road traffic accidents or a bad fall. They can cause knee pain and instability. Arthroscopic techniques can be used to repair or reconstruct the PCL, helping to stabilize the knee and alleviate pain.
4. Patellar (Knee cap) Instability
Patellar instability occurs when the knee cap moves out of its normal position, often causing pain and difficulty with movement. Arthroscopic surgery can address the underlying issues, such as damaged cartilage or misalignment, to restore proper knee cap function and stability. Some cases may also require additional open surgical procedures like tibial tubercle osteotomy and ligament reconstruction.
5. Articular cartilage injuries
These occur due to sudden twisting or repetitive injury, or due to a condition called osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), or due to degenerative changes. It causes pain, catching or locking, and stiffness. Treatment usually involves arthroscopic surgery and options include debridement, fixing or removing the loose fragment, bone marrow stimulation (BMS) techniques, mosaicplasty and autologous cartilage implantation (ACI).
6. Synovitis
Synovitis is the inflammation of the synovial lining of the knee, often causing swelling, pain, and stiffness. Arthroscopy allows for direct examination and treatment of the inflamed tissue, providing relief from symptoms and improving joint function.
Open surgery for knee conditions
1. Multi-ligament injuries of the knee: These are usually caused by bad vehicular accidents or severe sports injuries. It involves injury to more than 2 or 3 ligaments. The collateral ligament injuries require open surgery to repair or reconstruct torn ligaments, in conjunction with arthroscopic surgery.
2. Corrective osteotomies (knee preservation surgeries): These are usually necessary for correcting knee deformities which may arise due to knee injury, arthritis in adults or developmental conditions in children or adolescents. The aim of surgery is to correct deformity and alignment and improve weight transmission across the knee. It usually involves doing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) or distal femoral osteotomy (DFO).
Ready to Address Your Knee Issues?
If you’re struggling with knee pain or have been diagnosed with any of the conditions listed above, Dr. Sujit Korday is here to help. With advanced arthroscopic techniques, we can offer effective treatment options to get you back to an active, pain-free life.
Take the first step toward relief today. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Korday. We’ll evaluate your condition, discuss your treatment options, and create a personalized plan to help you achieve optimal knee health.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. We’re committed to providing the care and support you need to make informed decisions about your knee health.