Knee Arthroplasty vs Knee Arthroscopy: What's the Difference
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Knee arthroplasty and knee arthroscopy are some of the most common treatments when it comes to addressing knee
pain and restoring joint function. While both aim to alleviate knee issues, they have different approaches,
indications, and outcomes.
By Arete Orthopaedic Centre
Medically Reviewed by Dr Wang Lushun
When is Knee Arthroplasty Needed?
Knee arthroplasty (knee replacement) is typically recommended for those experiencing:
Severe Osteoarthritis: When cartilage wears away due to osteoarthritis, bones may rub against each other, leading to significant pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune condition that can cause chronic inflammation, destroying knee cartilage and bone over time.
Traumatic Knee Injury: Serious knee injuries, such as fractures or ligament damage, can lead to significant joint instability and pain.
Unmanageable Pain: When conservative treatments like physiotherapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications fail to provide adequate relief, surgery may be recommended.
How is Knee Arthroplasty Performed?
A knee arthroplasty (knee replacement) can either be partial or total:
Total Knee Replacement (TKR): The entire knee joint is replaced, including the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), and sometimes the underside of the patella (kneecap).
Partial Knee Replacement: If only one compartment of the knee is affected, a smaller prosthesis can replace the damaged portion only, leaving other healthy tissue intact.
This generally involves the following steps:
Anaesthesia: The patient is usually administered general anaesthesia.
Incision & Removal of Damaged Components: The surgeon makes an incision at the front of the knee and removes damaged cartilage and bone.
Placement of Implants: Artificial components are attached to the knee joint.
Closure: The incision is closed with sutures or staples, and the knee is bandaged.
After surgery, patients will undergo physiotherapy to regain strength and mobility. Full recovery may take several months.
Dr Wang LS specialises in Minimally Invasive Knee Arthroplasty. He also is a key opinion leader in Robotic Assisted Knee Replacements which promises a more personalised and accurate natural feeling knee.
What is Knee Arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat a range of knee joint problems. It is often referred to as “keyhole surgery” due to the small incisions made during the procedure.
When is Knee Arthroscopy Needed?
Knee arthroscopy is suitable for addressing various conditions, including:
Meniscus Tears: The meniscus can tear due to trauma or degeneration.
Ligament Injuries: Conditions such as ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears can be treated using arthroscopy.
Cartilage Damage: Arthroscopy can repair and smoothen damaged cartilage surfaces.
Knee Debridement: Removing loose bone fragments or tissues from the knee to improve joint function and reduce pain.
How is Knee Arthroscopy Performed?
Knee arthroscopy typically involves the following steps:
Anaesthesia: Local, spinal, or general anaesthesia is administered, depending on the procedure’s complexity.
Small Incisions: The surgeon creates 2-3 small incisions around the knee.
Insertion of Arthroscope: A thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light (arthroscope) is inserted through one incision, allowing the surgeon to view the joint on a monitor in real time.
Surgical Instruments: Special tools are inserted through the other incisions to repair, remove, or treat the damaged tissue or structures.
Closure: After completing the procedure, the incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips.
Since the procedure is minimally invasive, patients will experience faster recovery times, with most returning to normal activities within a few weeks.
Key Differences Between Knee Arthroplasty & Knee Arthroscopy
Knee Arthroplasty is a Joint Replacement with a prosthesis while Knee Arthroscopy is a Joint Preservation procedure aimed at knee repair.
Scope of Treatment: Knee arthroplasty (knee replacement) addresses severe joint degeneration by replacing the joint, while knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat localised and milder issues like tears, inflammation, or small areas of damage.
Invasiveness & Recovery: Knee arthroplasty is a major surgical procedure, requiring larger incisions and significant recovery time and effort. Knee arthroscopy, being minimally invasive, typically allows for quicker healing and less post-operative pain.
Conclusion
Both knee replacement and knee arthroscopy are invaluable tools in orthopaedic surgery that are used to treat various knee problems based on the severity and nature of the condition. Visiting an orthopaedic surgeon is key to determining the most appropriate and effective treatment for your knee condition.
Dr Wang Lushun is a Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 18 years of experience. Formerly heading
the Hip and Knee Division at Ng Teng Fong Hospital, Dr Wang is skilled in sports surgery, complex hip and
knee replacements, and minimally invasive surgery, including advanced robotic surgery. Trained in the UK and
France, Dr Wang is dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective orthopaedic care to all his patients.
Trusted
Leadership on Orthopaedic Advisory Boards
Skilful
Double Fellowships at Centres of Excellence
Experienced
Senior Consultant with Over 18 Years of Experience
