So Lets Discuss Some Of These Long Term Problems After Meniscus Surgery
- Arthritis symptoms still prevalent at an early age
- stiffness and tenderness continues
- swelling in the operated are frequently
- lose of flexibility
- knuckle up noise when working with that joint
However, knee pain 1 year after meniscus surgery is a very common complaint by most knee patients. Moreover, internal knee issues take time to heal. Therefore, knee pain is very common in this case of treatment.
Setting The Stage For A Successful Outcome: Surgery At Hss
Partial knee replacement is widely recognized as a technically demanding surgery. As demonstrated in the scientific literature, data shows that choosing an orthopedic surgeon and institution with extensive experience with this procedure can help ensure a good result. In fact, at high-volume institutions like HSS, in well-selected patients, surgeons achieve the same longevity for partial knee replacement as that reported for .
Its important to understand that partial knee replacement is a challenging procedure to perform, says , Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at HSS. At HSS, we collect data on partial knee replacement patients on an ongoing basis. This allows us to continuously refine screening and surgical techniques to achieve predictable results and the best outcome possible.
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Mako/ Partial Knee Resurfacing
Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology provides you with a personalized surgical plan based on your unique anatomy. First, a CT scan of the diseased knee joint is taken. This CT scan is uploaded into the Mako System software, where a 3D model of your knee is created. This 3D model is used to pre-plan and assist your surgeon in performing your partial knee replacement.
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A Study Of The Technique
A study published in 2008 by Kirkley, et al, in the New England Journal of Medicine entitled “A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Arthroscopic Surgery for Osteoarthritis of the Knee” attempted to determine whether arthroscopic surgery was a useful treatment for people with advanced arthritis. This study involved a comparison of arthroscopic surgery for knee osteoarthritis to nonoperative treatment. In this case, the nonoperative treatment included physical therapy, patient education, and the administration of acetaminophen, NSAIDs, glucosamine, and injected hyaluronic acid.
The merit of this study is that it was a randomized trial in which patients were randomly allocated to one treatment group or another. This is the most valid form of scientific clinical research, as it allows the treatment groups to be as similar as possible, aside from the intervention they receive. Also, the severity of participants’ arthritis was well-defined, as the researchers studied the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, which assesses pain, stiffness, and physical function.
Overall, the investigators found that arthroscopic surgery was not effective therapy for advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. All patients experienced some benefit over time, but there were no major differences between the groups in a wide variety of outcome measures including pain, function, and walking ability.
What Happens During An Arthroscopyinformationen About $cms: If$$cms: Valueconvert2$$cms: End: If$
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that is done using a local or general anesthetic. After a small cut is made in the skin and in the joint capsule, an arthroscope is inserted into the knee joint. The arthroscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a small camera on it that shows the inside of the knee. So arthroscopy can also be used to examine the knee joint.
Arthroscopy isn’t typically used for diagnosis purposes only, though, but also for treatment. A second cut is then made to insert small instruments like scissors or shaver blades into the joint.
When arthroscopy is used for treatment purposes, two things can be done:
- Lavage : During lavage, the joint is rinsed with a salt solution. The goal is to remove any loose particles like cartilage or tissue fibers in the joint fluid, and to reduce any inflammation in the joint.
- Debridement: Debridement involves smoothing rough cartilage surfaces and removing loose bits of cartilage using various instruments. It is followed by joint lavage.
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Surgery Is One Option
The loss of hand function is a serious matter, especially when the hands are also painful. When other therapy has not helped enough to allow you to do necessary tasks, such as holding a fork or zipping clothing, surgery may be the answer. In addition, some people with arthritis are concerned about deformity in their hands. While surgery may improve the look of the hands, remember that the main purposes of surgery are to decrease severe pain and to restore function.
Why Have An Arthroscopy
An arthroscopy is done when a doctor wants to inspect the inside of a joint. They use an instrument called an arthroscope. This is a small, fibre-optic video camera attached to a narrow tube. The arthroscope can take live images inside the joint.
Arthroscopy can be used to help diagnose a problem in a joint, and can also help guide surgical repair of a joint problem. The surgery is done with narrow, pencil-shaped surgical implements, which cause less damage than open surgery.
Arthroscopy is most commonly used at the:
In the knee, arthroscopy is commonly used for conditions such as meniscal tears, ligament injuries or loose bodies inside the joint.
The Australian Government and most orthopaedic surgeons recommend against using arthroscopy for osteoarthritis of the knee. Research shows that doing an arthroscopy for this condition is not effective. Arthroscopy should only be used for this condition if other treatments fail, such as losing weight, exercising and taking pain relievers.
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What Is Arthroscopy And What Types Of Procedures Can Be Done Arthroscopically
With an arthroscopic procedure, your surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a miniature camera . Using that camera, the surgeon can perform certain procedures, such as trimming a torn meniscus. Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat a number of knee conditions, including a torn ACL or PCL , torn meniscus, loose cartilage or a dislocated patella .
Whats New: No Room For Doubt
Evidence from the new RCT confirms the findings of the 2002 trial. It clearly shows that arthroscopic surgery for knee OA is not beneficial, even in patients with mechanical symptoms. Kirkleys study avoided the criticism of the earlier study by using a validated outcome measure, excluding patients with malalignment, and performing a subgroup analysis of patients with mechanical symptoms. We now have 2 studies that show no benefit from arthroscopic knee surgery in patients with OA, whether or not they have mechanical problems.
So what can you do for patients with moderate to severe knee pain from osteoarthritis? Offer them medical and physical therapy and the assurance that there is nothing to be gained from arthroscopic surgery.
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Understand Your Joint Surgery Options
Learn about the most common joint procedures.
Regular exercise and a healthy weight are your best defense against arthritis pain and disability. But if your joints are past the point of no return, surgery may be an option. Having a basic understanding of common surgical procedures can help you have an informed discussion with your doctor about which type is best for you.
Arthroscopy
Mris Can Be Misleading When Diagnosing Pain
The accidental finding of damage that is not causing the patient pain. Despite what a patients MRI will say, MRIs cannot always reveal the cause of the patients Knee Pain. Among persons with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, the prevalence of a meniscal tear was 63% among those with knee pain, catching, or stiffness on most days, and 60% among those without symptoms.
- A full 60% of people who have no pain will show a meniscal tear on MRI! The net result is that the number of knee arthroscopies continues to rise because everyone with a knee problem qualifies for it!
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Surgery Wont Help Degenerative Knee Problems Experts Say
By , Reuters Health
5 Min Read
– Surgery wont cure chronic knee pain, locking, clicking, a torn meniscus, or other problems related to knee arthritis, according to a panel of international experts.
Every year, more than two million people with degenerative knee problems have arthroscopic surgery, in which a surgeon inserts a tiny camera into the knee and uses small instruments to try to fix whats wrong.
But guidelines published Wednesday in the British Medical Journal recommend against the procedure for just about everyone with knee arthritis.
It does more harm than good, Dr. Reed Siemieniuk, chair of the guideline panel, told Reuters Health by email. Most patients experience improvement after arthroscopy, but in many cases, this is probably wrongly attributed to the surgery itself rather than to the natural course of the disease, a placebo effect, or interventions like painkillers and exercise.
In addition, the procedure is costly – up to $3 billion annually in the U.S. alone – and theres a risk of rare but serious adverse effects such as blood clots or infection, said Siemieniuk, who works in the department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
The panelists also reviewed 12 less-rigorous studies of close to two million patients that looked at complications from the procedure.
Still, he said, We believe that no one or almost no one would want this surgery if they understand the evidence.
How Do I Manage Pain During My Recovery
You should consider a number of options for pain relief following knee surgery. These options should be discussed with a pain management specialist, who can explain the pros and cons of each option or combination of options, including effectiveness, potential side effects, potential for addiction, and impact on the recovery process. Physician anesthesiologists who specialize in pain management can work with you before and after surgery on a plan tailored to your condition, personal history, and preferences.
Some of the options to consider and discuss are:
- Analgesics such as acetaminophen . These act solely to relieve pain.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. These act to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Peripheral nerve blocks. These involve the injection of an anesthetic into specific nerves to block pain signals between the brain and the knee.
- Opioids. These drugs, which block pain signals to the brain, are sometimes necessary to relieve severe or persistent pain, but patients should take them only as needed and use as low a dose as possible. Monitoring by a pain management specialist is important because opioids can be addictive.
- Multimodal therapy. This is commonly used for pain management after knee replacement surgery and typically involves opioids and one or more additional pain relief methods. Multimodal therapy can improve pain control while limiting opioid use.
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The Steps Of Knee Arthroscopy
To complete a knee arthroscopy, the surgeon will make a small incision and insert an arthroscope. An arthroscope has a high-powered camera that can tell the extent of the damage. From there, the surgeon can repair damaged cartilage. This is done by inserting other micro tools to treat the affected areas. In some cases, the surgeon will replace the cartilage with prosthetics. This is common in a total knee replacement. After arthroscopy, the surgeon will stitch the wound, and rehab begins. Based on the extent of damage, recovery can take from a few weeks to several months.
What Are The Different Types Of Knee Surgery
Knee pain keeping you from enjoying the activities you love? Lucky for you, there are many different types of knee surgery that can help you feel and move better.
Knee surgery is performed countless times every year in the United States including nearly a million knee replacements. The most common condition that knee surgery is used to treat is arthritis, but other conditions such as a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and other maladies of the knee are commonplace in any orthopedic surgeons office, as well.
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The Benefits Of A Minimally Invasive Approach To Knee Surgery
Knee pain is pretty much a fact of modern life, with millions of people seeking treatment every year for some type of knee discomfort. Sometimes, its just tendonitis or some other condition that can be treated with ice or another non-invasive approach. If that wont satisfactorily resolve your issues, you may need to undergo knee surgery.
Knee Surgeon In Ft Lauderdale
Many conditions, including osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis, knee injury, or a bone spur in the knee, can all cause inflammation, pain, and damage to the knee joint. Experienced orthopedic surgeons will first attempt the least-invasive treatments, such as corticosteroid injections, pain medicines, and physical therapy but if you continue to experience chronic or severe knee pain, then a total knee replacement may be the best solution.
If your knee constantly hurts, contact our team of medical professionals at Total Orthopaedic Care for a consultation. Our orthopedic surgeons treat knee pain and perform partial or total knee replacements on a regular basis, so they are experts at helping their patients achieve relief from their knee pain.
Call us today at 735-3535 or request an appointment online. We even offer same-day appointments for acute or new knee injuries. We look forward to seeing you here and helping you enjoy a pain-free lifestyle once again.
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How Do I Prepare For Knee Arthroscopy
Your doctor or surgeon will advise you how to prepare for your surgery. Be sure to tell them about any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or supplements that youre currently taking. You may need to stop taking certain medicines, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for weeks or days before the procedure.
You must also refrain from eating or drinking for six to 12 hours before the surgery. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe you a pain medication for any discomfort you experience after the surgery. You should fill this prescription ahead of time so that you have it ready after the procedure.
Your doctor will give you an anesthetic before your knee arthroscopy. This may be:
- local
- regional
- general
If youre awake, you may be able to watch the procedure on a monitor.
The surgeon will begin by making a few small incisions, or cuts, in your knee. Sterile salt water, or saline, will then pump in to expand your knee. This makes it easier for the surgeon to see inside the joint. The arthroscope enters one of the cuts and the surgeon will look around in your joint using the attached camera. The surgeon can see the images produced by the camera on the monitor in the operating room.
When the surgeon locates the problem in your knee, they may then insert small tools into the incisions to correct the issue. After the surgery, the surgeon drains the saline from your joint and closes your cuts with stitches.
There are also risks specific to a knee arthroscopy, such as:
More Research Warning Middle
Research in the British Medical Journal was scathing: Here are their bullet points:
- Arthroscopic knee surgery is frequently and increasingly used to treat middle-aged and older patients with persistent knee pain
- All but one published randomized trials have shown no added benefit for arthroscopic surgery over that of the control treatment, but many specialists are convinced of the benefits of the surgical intervention
- Interventions that include arthroscopy are associated with a small benefit and with harms the small benefit is inconsequential and of short duration
- The benefit is markedly smaller than that seen from exercise therapy as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis
- These findings do not support the practice of arthroscopic surgery as a treatment for middle-aged or older patients with knee pain with or without signs of osteoarthritis.
In an accompanying press release from the British Medical Journal, the research team issued these statements:
Here is more damning evidence for patients to avoid arthroscopy knee surgery and comes from two multi-national team studies from surgeons in the British Medical Journal.
Here are the bulletin points from this research:
Here is the summary given to surgeons:
Here are the highlights of this research:
According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine:Arthroscopy for the knee is most commonly used for:
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Why Do I Need Knee Arthroscopy
Your doctor may recommend that you undergo a knee arthroscopy if youre experiencing knee pain. Your doctor might have already diagnosed the condition causing your pain, or they may order the arthroscopy to help find a diagnosis. In either case, an arthroscopy is a useful way for doctors to confirm the source of knee pain and treat the problem.
Arthroscopic surgery can diagnose and treat knee injuries, including:
Arthroscopic Surgery Vs Knee Replacement
Once conservative knee pain treatment options no longer provide benefit, people with chronic, severe knee pain must often make a decision between two procedures: arthroscopic surgery or knee replacement. The choice is an important one, and patients should be aware of the differences between arthroscopic surgery and knee replacement before making a decision.
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When Should I Have Knee Surgery For Arthritis
With so many other treatments for arthritis available, knee surgery for arthritis is often a patients last resort. But in certain circumstances, surgery is the best choice for long-term relief of arthritis pain and stiffness. You may want to consider knee surgery for arthritis if you:
- Are experiencing severe pain or loss of quality of life
- Non-surgical treatments for arthritis in the knee are not effective, such as pain medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy.
- Knee pain is keeping you up at night and is not well managed with other methods
- Your knee is deformed by arthritis
- You have degeneration of the knee joint