Best Knee replacement Surgeon in Indore WHAT IS ARTHRITIS? Knee replacement surgery is mostly performed in the cases of arthritis. It is a general term for various conditions which can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It can affect one or multiple joints in the body sometimes leading to complete damage of cartilage which leads to making the movement severely painful. Symptoms of Arthritis: 1. Joint pain 2. Swelling and warmth 3. Stiffness (especially in the morning) 4. Redness 5. Limited movement 6. Cracking or grinding sounds. WHAT IS KNEE REPLACEMENT? Knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure where a damaged or worn-out knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint (implant). This artificial joint can be made of metal, plastic, or ceramic. It is usually done to relieve severe knee pain and improve movement when other treatments like medicines or physiotherapy doesn’t seem to work or provide relief. TYPES OF KNEE REPLACEMENT There are 4 main types of knee replacement surgeries, each chosen on the basis of how damage the knee is and the patient's age, activity level, and overall health. 1. TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY (TKR) As the name suggests total knee replacement surgery is the type of surgery which replaces the complete knee of the patient. In this surgery entire knee is replaced including both sides if the knee ( femur and tibia) and sometimes even the knee cap ( patella). This surgery is generally suitable for the people going through severe arthritis as it provides long term relief and generally the recovery of 2-3 months. Most people above 60 with arthritis are advised with Total knee replacement surgery. 2. PARTIAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY (PKR) As the name is self explanatory, partial knee replacement unlike total knee replacement replaces only one part of the knee. It can either be any of the two sides of the knee or the frontal part. It is recovered fast as compared to total knee surgery and is less invasive. It is usually done in early stages of arthritis. 3. BILATERAL KNEE REPLACEMENT In bilateral knee surgery both knees are replaced on the same day or in the single surgery. It is suitable if both knees are severely affected and you are medically unfit and in alarming need if both knee replacements. The recovery is intense as compared to the prior two surgeries as both the knees are replaced. REVISION KNEE REPLACEMENT A repeat surgery done when an old knee implant wears out, loosens, or gets infected. It is more complex than the first surgery. It is Usually needed after 15–20 years of the first replacement (or earlier if complications arise). SIGNS THAT YOU NEED KNEE REPLACEMENT: Knee replacement surgery is generally required when the non surgical treatment can’t seem to relieve the pain any longer. 1. Severe knee pain. 2. ⁠Advanced Arthritis 3. ⁠Joint Stiffness and limited range of motion 4. ⁠Swelling and inflammation doesn’t just go away 5. ⁠Failed non surgical treatments 6. ⁠Poor quality of life like difficulty in performing day to day activities like walking. 7. ⁠Deformity or structural instability. Knee visibly looks crooked. 8. ⁠post traumatic Arthritis. For more details on total knee replacement/ robotic total knee replacement, please visit our dedicated website for knee issues created by Dr Vikas jain- www.tkasurgery.com https://tkasurgery.com/robotic-total-knee-replacement-surgery/

Anterior Total hip replacement - A hip replacement surgery with Zero precautions. A hip replacement which can get you back to a completely pain-free life with normal walking. The biggest problem with old techniques of hip replacement are 1. 4 percent patients have high chances of hip dislocation (hip ball coming out & where resurgery is needed to fix). In order to prevent it, patients are adviced multiple precautions & restrictions sometimes for lifetime. 2. The other major problem is unequal length of legs after hip replacement. Leading to permanent abnormal walking & limp. With Anterior total hip replacement both the above issues can be easily managed. With Direct Anterior(surgery from front) Total Hip replacement, patients have the following advantages- 1. Both legs will be completely equal in length- since pt is positioned straight on table & comparison with computerized arm while operating making comparison to the opposite leg easier helping in getting completely equal legs. In other technique like posterior or anterolateral since patient is placed on side, legs end up being unequal since comparison is not possible with opposite leg at all. Even imaging is not possible. 2. Minimal muscle pain due to minimally invasive -mis technique. The entire surgery is performed with an incision of around 10 cms & zero muscle damage. 3. Zero precautions after surgery leading to stress free life. . Patients can sit on floor/use Indian Toilets without worrying about chances of hip dislocation. In older techniques patients are told to follow precautions for atleast 3 months & sometimes even lifetime. 4. No restriction in Sexual activities. 5. Patients have quick recovery due to less pain & can even walk without walker with full weight bearing within 1-2 days. With older techniques, patients still have to use walker or wait upto 1.5 months to put weight & walk. 6. A small 10 cm line incision which gets hidden in groin crease & becomes just like a thin pencil mark in 2-3 months. With Direct Anterior Total Hip replacement, pts can even get Both total hip replacements performed in a single sitting. Even the choice of implants cemented or uncemented & can be dual mobility, ceramic on ceramic , ceramic on poly or metal on poly as per patients preference. Anterolateral & Posterior hip replacement - Both are older techniques of total hip replacements where patients are adviced multiple precautions after surgery. Older techniques posterior/anterolateral (incision of surgery from back- posterior & surgery from side - anterolateral) total hip replacements have limitations such as patients are adviced not to sit on floor or do any activity on ground because of risk of hip ball dislocation & even where patients end up having unequal leg lengths after surgery. Multiple research papers have proven Direct Anterior Hip replacement has significant advantages. In The US, Hip replacement by Direct Anterior technique is preferred by most of the patients due to its significant advantages. Though Direct Anterior Hip replacement technique has excellent advantages, it can be performed in obese patients with weight more than 130 kgs only after proper assessment. We regularly have patients visiting from various parts of the country for Total Hip replacement with Direct Anterior Technique be it cases of hip avn, ankylosing spondylitis or post traumatic hip failure. We have numerous patients from all over the country visiting our centre in Indore & Mumbai who have been suffering from Hip issues & have undergone Total Hip Joint Replacement by Direct Anterior technique. For your benefit, please see the explanation & results regarding anterior hip replacement on our YouTube page- TheJointSurgeon https://youtube.com/@TJSJoints https://youtu.be/mC-Sd52dxsw https://youtu.be/jAKbalLIL4A https://youtu.be/Y3cyQRl5v_U If you are suffering from hip joint issues & need a hip replacement, Anterior Total Hip replacement is the best technique for you to be pain free & walk completely normally. We can help you. For more details or appointment please feel free to contact us. +91 7760547341

A Total Knee Replacement surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed today in elderly in view of osteoarthritis and damage to the knee joint. The traditional knee replacement has 3 limitations- severe pain after surgery, restrictions such as not sitting on floor & unequal legs leading to abnormal walking. Though robotics knee replacement has advanced the process, but it involves high risks such as increased infection & intraoperative fracture risk due to multiple pins insertion making bones weaker. Introducing MIS Laser Precision High Performance Advance Total Knee Replacement Surgery, the most advance technique for Knee replacement which takes into account the advantages of robotic surgery but without the disadvantages & fracture risks. With Laser Precision Technology, we can get precise component placement for lasting durability as well as equal knee length ensuring no limping after the surgery. With High performance Advance Total Knee replacement, only the damaged part of knee is removed, ensuring saving maximum natural bone of the knee joint which helps in maintaining skeletal strength which is important for walking & quicker recovery. We mobilize our patients on day 1 walking & stairs on day 2. Patients can walk even WITHOUT walker within 3 days. Climb stairs & patients can now perform all activities including gymming, running, exercising & even sitting on floor without any restriction. For more details or Appointment, please call+91 7760547341. .

A standard total shoulder replacement depends upon muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint to be intact. These muscles and their tendons function to move the shoulder and are together called the rotator cuff. When these tendons become extensively torn so that they do not attach to the bone any longer, the shoulder often does not function normally. The loss of the rotator cuff can produce pain and also loss of motion. A normal shoulder replacement is designed to work only if those tendons are intact. Reverse Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty) has emerged as a very attractive alternative for patients with cuff-tear arthropathy, selected proximal humerus fractures and nonunions. Its indications continue to expand, especially for revision surgery. REVERSE SHOULDER ARTHOPLASTY Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an attractive option in patients. Since this kind of shoulder replacement does not rely on the function of the rotator cuff, it provides predictable results in terms of pain relief and shoulder function in one operation. The results of reverse shoulder replacement are fairly predictable and good especially in patients suffering from chronic shoulder joint problems since the function of the joint is less dependent on healing of the tuberosities. The main reason to consider a reverse prosthesis is when there is arthritis of the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff tendons are torn or gone. This is the most common surgical indication for a patient considering a reverse prosthesis. In this situation this operation will give the patient significant pain relief and may also help with range of motion of the shoulder. Another reason to have a reverse prosthesis is if the rotator cuff tendons are all torn and one cannot lift the arm high enough to function. Typically in this case the shoulder is not painful but the inability to lift the arm is very disrupting to the ability to function in life. When the patient goes to lift the arm there is a prominence on the front of the shoulder, and this is called an anterior-superior migration or subluxation of the shoulder. In these cases pain may or may not be a major factor for the reverse prosthesis, but the main reason for the replacement is to regain motion and function. The third most common reason to have a reverse prosthesis is if the shoulder has already had a replacement prior to the time a reverse prosthesis was available and the patient still has pain and loss of motion. Sometimes the regular shoulder replacement was placed for a fracture or for torn rotator cuff tendons and the shoulder continues to be painful. In this case, if a reverse prosthesis is needed, the surgery to place a reverse prosthesis is a little more complicated. The reason for this is that the first, more traditional shoulder replacement has to be removed at the time of surgery, and the reverse can then be placed in the shoulder. Other reasons to have a reverse prosthesis are some fractures of the shoulder area, particularly ones that involve the proximal humerus (arm bone) where the ball attaches to the shaft of the bone. In some instances, the bone is broken into many pieces or the ball may be split into parts. The last reason to have a reverse prosthesis is because of a tumor in the proximal humerus that involves the bone of the shaft of the bone or the ball of the humerus itself PRE-OPERATIVE STEPS Every effort is made to assess the patient prior to surgery in order to ensure safety of the patient for the elective procedure. 1. After admission, routine blood work-up will be done prior to surgery. Depending on the age of the patient and other premorbid conditions, other investigations such as Echocardiography may be performed in elderly patients. 2. All the investigations prior to surgery are performed in order to ensure that the surgical procedure can be safely tolerated by the patient, since shoulder arthroscopy is an elective procedure. If any risk is involved, the patient/ attendants will be informed so. 3. Blood transfusion though rarely required, may be done depending on the reports. 4. X-rays and MRI will be done ideally in order to guide the surgical plan and the prognosis. 5. Surgical consent will be explained to the patient detailing the procedure as well as the risks involved, if any. INTRA-OPERATIVE STEPS 1. The patient is positioned in a beach chair position. 2. For this procedure the deltopectoral approach is normally used. 3. It is crucial to evaluate the fracture. The fracture lines are identified as well as the long head of the biceps and the condition of the rotator cuff. 5. The biceps tendon is temporarily attached to the superior border of the pectoralis muscle. A tenotomy of the long head of the bicipital tendon close to the rotator interval is performed. 6. The glenohumeral joint is opened through the fracture. 7. Preparation of the joint for placement of prosthesis is performed. 8. A complete soft-tissue release around the glenoid is performed. 9. The guide plate is placed on to the glenoid surface so that it is flush with the circle of the lower glenoid . The guide plate is fixed with a central K-wire. 10.A cannulated glenoid resurfacing reamer is used to remove the cartilage and to create a smooth surface of the glenoid to provide full contact with the base plate. 11.The glenosphere is implanted. A trial glenosphere may be used instead of the definitive one. 12. The intramedullary canal is prepared with reamers of increasing diameters. 13. The humeral trial prosthesis is inserted as determined by the size of the last reamer. 14. Reduce the prosthesis and confirm proper joint tension and stability. Do not overtension the deltoid muscle. Check if there is any unwanted impingement. 14. After hardening of the cement, reduce the prosthesis. Confirm correct soft-tissue tension and stability. POST OPERATIVE PHASE Care after surgery: • Wear your sling or brace at all times for as long as directed. This helps to remind you not to use the arm. It also allows your shoulder to heal and decreases pain. • Apply ice on your shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. • Place a small pillow or towel behind your elbow when you lie on your back. This keeps your shoulder in proper position. You may need to sleep in an upright position if you cannot sleep on your back. Place 2 to 3 pillows lengthwise behind your back when in bed. Make sure the pillows do not move your shoulder forward. Instead, you can sleep in a reclining chair. • Avoid moving your shoulder. Do not stretch or shrug your shoulder. Do not do exercises on your own until your healthcare provider says it is okay. • Do not lift with your hand on your surgery side. You put pressure on your shoulder muscles when you lift. • Do not lean on the hand of your surgery side. Pressure will cause pain and may cause damage to your shoulder. • Do not drive until your healthcare provider says it is okay. Shoulder bandage care: Keep your dressing clean and dry. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay to take a bath or shower. Once you are able, let soap and water run over your surgery area. Do not scrub the area. Pat the area dry and put on a clean bandage as directed. Pain Management • Some amount of pain is expected after the surgical procedure. • Ice packs can be used for pain reduction • Paracetamol or Nsaids can be considered for pain management especially during the first four weeks. Shoulder rehabilitation protocol The shoulder is perhaps the most challenging joint to rehabilitate both postoperatively and after conservative treatment. Early passive motion according to pain tolerance can usually be started after the first postoperative day. The program of rehabilitation has to be adjusted to the ability and expectations of the patient and the quality and stability of the repair. The full exercise program progresses to protected active and then self-assisted exercises. The stretching and strengthening phases follow. The ultimate goal is to regain strength and full function. Activities of daily living (ADL) can generally be resumed while avoiding certain stresses on the shoulder. Mild pain and some restriction of movement should not interfere with this. The more severe the initial displacement of a fracture, and the older the patient, the greater will be the likelihood of some residual loss of motion. Generally, shoulder rehabilitation protocols can be divided into three phases. Gentle range of motion can often begin early without stressing fixation or soft-tissue repair. Gentle assisted motion can frequently begin within a few weeks, the exact time and restriction depends on the injury and the patient. Resistance exercises to build strength and endurance should be delayed until bone and soft-tissue healing is secure. This may need to be adjusted for each patient. Phase 1 (approximately first 6 weeks) Bandage • Immobilization on a shoulder abduction pillow in neutral position of rotation Range of motion • Passive motion within the pain free interval for abduction, adduction and flexion • No internal or external rotation • Shoulder joint motion up to 90° • ADL for eating and writing allowed Physiotherapy • Passive motion up to 90° • Relaxation/stretching of neck muscles • Training of elbow and hand functions • Specific stabilization therapy for the shoulder joint • Isometric exercises in all directions • CPM up to 90° of abduction Massage • Neck • Shoulder girdle • Thoracic spine Training therapy • Training of the contralateral arm (overflow cardiovascular training) Phase 2 (approximately week 7-11) Bandage • No longer required Range of motion • Assisted/active motion within the pain free interval, also beyond 90° • Careful rotation Physiotherapy • Free motion of shoulder girdle (scapula, clavicle, cervicothoracic junction, cervical and thoracic spine) with specific mobilization • Strengthening exercises especially for ADL • Eccentric muscle activity Massage • As required Ice/warmth • As required Training therapy • Mobilization bath, wound permitting • Training of hand and forearm muscles • Set for shoulder therapy Phase 3 (after week 11) Range of motion • No restrictions on Shoulder movement • Muscle growth for shoulder girdle and all arm muscles Physiotherapy • All physiotherapeutic techniques allowed, active and against resistance • Increasing eccentric muscle activity Training therapy • Handcycling • Training for specific ADL and sports • Machine training • Free weight training

Shoulder Arthroscopy- Frozen Shoulder Release Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis is a condition characterized by pain and loss of motion in shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder release is extremely useful in cases of frozen shoulder that do not respond to therapy and rehabilitation. The aim of the surgery is to decrease pain, reduce the recovery time and help to gain full range of movement. Arthroscopic capsular release and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) are the surgical procedures performed to treat the frozen shoulder. PRE-OPERATIVE STEPS Every effort is made to assess the patient prior to surgery in order to ensure safety of the patient for the elective procedure. 1. After admission, routine blood work-up will be done prior to surgery. Depending on the age of the patient and other premorbid conditions, other investigations such as Echocardiography may be performed. 2. All the investigations prior to surgery are performed in order to ensure that the surgical procedure can be safely tolerated by the patient, since shoulder arthroscopy is an elective procedure. If any risk is involved, the patient/ attendants will be informed so. 3. Blood transfusion though rarely required, may be done depending on the reports. 4. X-rays and/or MRI may be done depending on the surgeon’s choice and the surgical indication. 5. Surgical consent will be explained to the patient detailing the procedure as well as the risks involved, if any. INTRA-OPERATIVE STEPS A manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is most commonly indicated in patients with simple frozen shoulder. This procedure is performed with the patient sedated under anesthesia. Your surgeon moves the shoulder through a range of motion which causes the capsule and scar tissue to stretch or tear. Thus the tight capsule is released allowing increased range of motion. The procedure involves freeing the shoulder by manipulation and does not involve any incisions. Arthroscopic capsular release is a keyhole surgery that involves the release of the tight, constricted capsule. It is an effective treatment for most people with stiff shoulder after injury, trauma, or fracture, and diabetes. 1. During the procedure 2 to 3 small incision holes are made in the shoulder in the front and the back. 2. The thickened, swollen abnormal capsule tissue is cut and removed using a special radiofrequency thermal probe with adequate precautions to not damage the normal tissue. 3. Once adequate capsular release is achieved, wound is closed and dressing applied. 4. Once again the shoulder movements are checked to ensure adequate shoulder release. POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT Following Capsular release, immediate rehabilitation is necessary to prevent the recurrence of Frozen Shoulder. The aim of the rehabilitation is to reduce pain and to restore full range of motion. • Pain medications are recommended to control pain • Following these procedures, though much easier than the pre-operative phase, aggressive regular exercises need to be done in order to maintain full range of motion for 1 week- 1 month. • If you feel comfortable and have good range of movement, you can begin driving 1 week after your surgery. • Returning to work depends on the nature of your work. If you are in a sedentary job you may be able to return as early as 1 week after surgery • But if your job requires heavy lifting or using your arm at shoulder height, it may take longer time to return to your work. • Full range of motion is achieved at 4 – 6 weeks once the swelling is reduced.

INTRODUCTION A revision knee replacement surgery is a procedure that is performed to replace a knee implant that is no longer functioning properly. Most knee replacements last several decades, some longer. However, there are also times when a knee replacement needs to be redone after years or even just months. Understanding why a knee replacement has worn out is critical to performing a successful revision knee replacement. The average knee replacement lasts more than two decades, and there are reports of implants lasting longer, and new materials and surgical techniques are hoped to provide even longer-lasting knee replacements. That said, there are times when knee replacements may last a very short time, even in otherwise healthy patients. A small percentage of patients (around 1-2%) end up requiring a knee replacement revised within a few years of their initial surgery. Revision replacements are performed for a number of reasons. Some of the more common include: Loosening of the implant Infection of the joint Instability of the knee Malalignment of the components Many people ultimately have a revision knee replacement because the problem is causing significant pain. While pain can be a problem in itself, a revision knee replacement surgery should not be performed without understanding why the pain is occurring. Performing this type of surgery for pain without an identified cause is unlikely to yield good results. Instead, the cause of the problem with the knee replacement needs to be precisely understood, and there needs to be a plan to address that problem with the implant. An operation without a clear plan to address the problem is unlikely to be helpful. Complexity in revision surgeries Revision replacement is difficult for several reasons. First, when someone has had surgery, scar tissue develops, and soft tissues become less identifiable. Performing the second surgery is always more difficult. Second, when performing a knee replacement, bone is removed. When performing a revision knee, often more bone has to be removed, and some may be lost as a result of the problem with the implant. Maintaining adequate bone to support the new implant can be a challenge. Finally, obtaining a knee that is flexible enough to allow for motion, yet stable enough to keep you steady, is also more difficult in revision situations. PRE-OPERATIVE PHASE Your surgeon will send you for routine blood tests to rule out infection, CT scan to look closer at the anatomy, and bone scans to help to determine if a component is loose. X-rays and/or MRI will be considered. Aspiration of the knee joint is occasionally done to diagnose or rule out infection Patient will be asked to undertake a general medical check-up with a physician Patient should have any other medical, surgical or dental problems attended to prior to the surgery in order to prevent a risk of infection. Cease aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications 10 days prior to surgery as they can cause bleeding. Any antiplatelet drugs / blood thinners such as clopidogrel, warfarin will be stopped 3-7 days prior to the date of surgery. Surgical consent will be explained to the patient detailing the procedure as well as the risks involved, if any. Blood transfusion, if required will be informed and done. Day of surgery You will meet the nurses and answer some questions for the hospital records You will meet your anesthetist, who will ask you a few questions and assess the risk factors for surgery. You will be given hospital clothes to change into and have a shower prior to surgery The operation site will be shaved and cleaned Approximately 45 minutes prior to surgery, you will be transferred to the operating room After explanation of the procedure, you will be asked to sign the consent for surgery. Occasionally, a high risk consent for surgery may be requested depending on the blood reports and clinical examination. SURGICAL PROCEDURE Each knee is individual and knee replacements take this into account by having different sizes for your knee. If there is more than the usual amount of bone loss, sometimes extra pieces of metal or bone are added. Surgery is performed under sterile conditions in the operating room under spinal or general anesthesia. You will be on your back and a tourniquet will be applied to your upper thigh to reduce blood loss. Surgery takes approximately two hours. The patient is positioned on the operating table and the leg prepped and draped. A tourniquet is applied to the upper thigh and the leg is prepared for the surgery with a sterilizing solution. An incision around 7cm is made to expose the knee joint. Old/ damaged components of the implants are removed. The bone ends of the femur and tibia are prepared using a saw or a burr to freshen the bone. Trial components are then inserted to make sure they fit properly. The real components (Femoral & Tibial) are then put into place with or without cement. The knee is then carefully closed and drains usually inserted, and the knee dressed and bandaged. POST- OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT When you wake up you will be in the recovery room with intravenous drips in your arm, a tube (catheter) in your bladder may be inserted, and a number of other monitors to check your vitals. Once stable, you will be taken to the ward. The postop protocol is surgeon dependent, but in general your drain will come out at 24 hours and you will sit out of bed and start moving your knee and walking on it within a day or two of surgery. The dressing will be reduced usually on the second postop day to make movement easier. Your rehabilitation and mobilization will be supervised by a physical therapist. To avoid lung congestion, it is important to breathe deeply and cough up any phlegm you may have. Your surgeon will use one or more measures to minimize blood clots in your legs, such as inflatable leg coverings, stockings, and injections to thin the blood clots or DVT’s. A lot of the long-term results of knee replacements depend on how much work you put into it following your operation. Usually you will be in hospital for 3-5 days and then either go home or to a rehabilitation facility depending on your needs. You will need physical therapy on your knee following surgery. You will be discharged on a walker or crutches and usually progress to a cane at six weeks. Your sutures will be removed at approximately 12-15 days. Bending your knee is variable, but by 6 weeks it should bend to 90 degrees. The goal is to get 110-115 degrees of movement. Once the wound is healed, you may shower. You can drive at about 6 weeks, once you have regained control of your leg. You should be walking reasonably comfortably by 6 weeks. More physical activities, such as sports may take 3 months to be able to do comfortably. You will usually have a 6-week checkup with your surgeon who will assess your progress. You should continue to see your surgeon for the rest of your life to check your knee and take X-rays. This is important as sometimes your knee can feel excellent but there can be a problem only recognized on X-ray. You are always at risk of infections especially with any dental work or other surgical procedures where germs (bacteria) can get into the blood stream and find their way to your knee. If you ever have any unexplained pain, swelling, redness or if you feel unwell you should see your doctor as soon as possible. A Revision Knee replacement is a complex procedure and requires a highly skilled surgeon with adequate expertise. Our Consultant in chief, Dr Vikas Jain is one of the few surgeons in the region who is trained from Europe and has adequate surgical experience in such complex revision procedures.

Knee arthroscopy, keyhole surgery, is a technique used to inspect the inside of the joint cavity to diagnose and assess damage and, where possible, to treat this damage. Arthroscopic knee surgery involves putting a small telescope and special instruments into the knee, with the ability to photograph and video the operation. At the same time all of the other structures within the knee can be clearly viewed and probed. . Arthroscopic knee surgery is used to treat any number of conditions that occur within the knee from simple cartilage tears to removal of loose bodies, meniscal surgeries and anterior/ posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that provides cushion between the Femur (thigh bone) and Tibia (shin bone). In many ways, meniscus acts as shock-absorbers of the knee joint. They can be damaged or torn during activities that put pressure on or rotate the knee joint. If a meniscus is torn, it is ideal to get it repaired at the earliest since neglected meniscal damage leads to onset of osteoarthritis of the knee. WHAT IS DONE? The entire procedure is done with the help of 2-3 small keyhole sized incisions from which the instruments and the small laser/telescopic camera is inserted and the procedure is visualized on a high definition screen. Arthroscopic Meniscectomy: A minor surgery where the torn part of the damaged meniscus is removed and the remaining part of the meniscus is smoothened/ balanced in order to prevent any further damage to knee cartilage and ensure smooth functioning of the joint. Arthroscopic Meniscal repair: Depending on the pattern, some of the meniscal tears can be repaired. The torn portion of the meniscus is repaired with the help of specialized meniscal sutures. PRE-OPERATIVE STEPS Though the procedure is a very minor procedure, every effort is made to assess the patient prior to surgery in order to ensure safety of the patient for the elective procedure. 1. After admission, routine blood work-up will be done prior to surgery. Depending on the age of the patient and other premorbid conditions, other investigations such as Echocardiography may be performed. 2. All the investigations prior to surgery are performed in order to ensure that the surgical procedure can be safely tolerated by the patient, since it is an elective procedure. If any risk is involved, the patient/ attendants will be informed so. 3. X-rays and MRI may be done depending on the surgeon’s choice and the surgical indication for the procedure. 4. Surgical consent will be explained to the patient detailing the procedure as well as the risks involved, if any. INTRA-OPERATIVE STEPS- MENISCAL REPAIR/ MENISCECTOMY A meniscal injury is most commonly associated with another ligamental injury, though it is not uncommon to find an isolated meniscal injury. Meniscal tears are majorly of 2 types repairable and irreparable. Depending on the type of pattern two procedures which are performed commonly are described. 1. 2-3 small key hole incisions are made on the front aspect of the knee. 2. A small 1 mm Arthroscopic Camera is inserted into the knee joint to visualize the torn meniscus. 3. If the meniscus part is damaged and irreparable, a Debrider is inserted into the joint to remove the damaged portion of the meniscus and remaining part is smoothly balanced. The meniscectomy is complete. 4. If the Meniscus part which is torn is radial in shape or is large, an attempt is made to perform the meniscal repair. 5. An all inside suture with needle is inserted into the joint and is released after obtaining a hold in both the cut ends of the torn meniscus. 6. After checking that the torn portions are again in continuity, meniscal repair is complete. 7. Wound is closed with 2 or 3 small sutures followed by dressing. POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT/ REHABILITATION Meniscectomy- patient is allowed to resume all the daily activities from the next day itself including full weight bearing. Patient needs to follow up for suture removal at 10th day after surgery Meniscal repair- patient is advised to continue non-weight bearing for a period of 6 weeks in order to allow for the torn meniscus to heal adequately.