03
September
2021
|
18:06 PM
America/New_York

Knee Arthroscopy Timing May Complicate Total Knee Arthroplasty

Medscape reports on a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2021 annual meeting and features comments from study co-author Peter K. Sculco, MD, hip and knee surgeon at HSS.

The study found knee arthroscopy, considered minimally invasive surgery, may lead to increased complications if performed within 9 months of a subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Dr. Sculco explained the impetus for the study, stating “In our practice we had a few referrals of patients who were indicated for a total knee arthroplasty. On paper and on clinical exam, they looked like perfect candidates. However, the one glaring piece of their history was that they had received a recent knee arthroscopy.”

He noted the knee arthroscopies were typically performed in hopes that they would reduce symptomatic pain, improve functionality, and delay the need for a TKA.

Dr. Sculco highlighted the need for surgeons to be mindful of the risk for infection and stiffness that comes with a TKA after recent knee arthroscopy. "We think that if you have a patient who had a prior knee arthroscopy, you should wait at least 9 months in order to minimize the risk of periprosthetic joint infection and revision. We also want other surgeons to know that these patients are going to be at increased risk of arthrofibrosis, so an aggressive physical therapy postoperative regimen may be warranted," he cited.

Read the full article at Medscape.com.