Knee arthroscopy: Should this common knee surgery be performed less often?

Imagine you’re walking along and suddenly experience excruciating knee pain. Though it initially seems stuck in one position, after a minute or two you can limp along home, but just barely. At your doctor’s visit, an x-ray is normal but symptoms continue for weeks. An MRI is performed and now you have an explanation: a torn meniscus. (Two menisci — rubbery cartilage pads that act as shock absorbers — separate the bottom of your knee bone from the top of your shin bone.) A month later, you’re no better despite rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy. It’s time for surgery to fix it, right? Maybe not. Knee arthroscopy is among the most common surgeries performed If you went ahead with surgery, you’d be in good company. Each year, an estimated 750,000 arthroscopic knee operations are performed in this country at a cost of $4 billion. Among the most common reasons for this surgery is a torn meniscus that causes intermittent and severe pain, catching, or locking. During arthroscopy, an orthopedist inserts a hollow-tubed instrument with a camera and light on the end into an anesthetized knee. After examining the inside of the knee, instruments can be passed through the hollow tube to remove debris, smooth ragged edges, and cut away cartilage that is impairing knee function. Many people have both a torn meniscus and osteoarthritis (the age-related, wear-and-tear type of arthritis). The combination is common, not only because these conditions become more common with ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Injuries Osteoarthritis Pain Management Surgery Source Type: blogs