Contraindications

Contraindications for an arthroscopy:If there is a contraindication to the anaesthesia required for this (see Preparation), the arthroscopy cannot be performed. Embolism and thrombosis can also be contraindications. Coagulation disorders can lead to bruising in the knee after arthroscopy and must therefore be clarified before the examination.

An absolute contraindication for arthroscopy, as the treatment of choice, exists if local (local) or general (generalised) infections are present. Likewise, increased susceptibility to infection, for example under cortisone or with immunosuppressive therapy, prohibits a joint inspection. –> Continue to the topic of the arthroscopy procedure

Arthroscopy of the knee in case of a torn meniscus

The cartilage in the knee joint is called the meniscus. It is not a continuous cartilage, but rather one inner and one outer meniscus per knee joint. The knee joint is one of the most heavily loaded joints in the human body, which is associated with an increased probability of cartilage damage and wear and tear.

However, complaints can also occur as a result of an accident or sports injury and are particularly common in sports such as football. In this context, one speaks of traumatic cartilage damage. An arthroscopy of the knee is often performed in the context of a torn meniscus.

Acute injuries, as well as complaints caused by increased strain, often involve a torn cartilage, which can be repaired by arthroscopic surgery. The operation involves the removal of cartilage fragments and the smoothing of the so-called cartilage base. This is to eliminate pain caused by destroyed or damaged cartilage.

The duration of the operation depends on the underlying damage to the meniscus (duration of arthroscopy of the knee)Minimally invasive shoulder surgery using arthroscopy can be useful for a number of reasons. It has been a popular alternative to the classic shoulder operation for many years, as it is gentle on the joints, leads to significantly faster healing and, above all, can be performed on an outpatient basis in a relatively short time. Most frequently, arthroscopy of the shoulder is performed due to joint wear or the so-called impingement syndrome.

If a joint (usually the acromioclavicular joint, medically: Articulatio acromioclavicularis or AC joint) is affected, the wear and tear of bone and cartilage is repaired there using surgical equipment during the arthroscopy. The so-called impingement syndrome is caused by the impingement of the supraspinatus tendon between two bones (acromioclavicularis and humeral head). The rotator cuff is responsible for stabilising and moving the shoulder.

It consists of four muscles and their tendons in the shoulder region. The shoulder joint is mainly stabilized by the tendons of these muscles. However, the tendon of a muscle (supraspinatus tendon) is subject to increased physical stress because it runs in a narrow channel between two bones.

In the course of life, it can therefore happen that this tendon wears out and in the worst case even tears. So if pain occurs at this point, it is important to check if the tendon has torn. If there is pain in the shoulder area, for example when lying on the affected shoulder for a long time or when lifting the arm sideways, it is possible that a torn tendon has occurred.

An ultrasound is usually performed to ensure a diagnosis, and sometimes an X-ray may be useful for clarification. Usually an arthroscopy of the shoulder follows in order to better assess the damage and – depending on age and the individual diagnosis of the person affected – to be able to better estimate the further procedure. In any case, it is important to coordinate the follow-up treatment of the joint individually so that the best possible healing is achieved. In most cases, stress can be regained relatively quickly, and this can be accompanied by physiotherapy or gymnastic exercises.