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Knee joint
The frequency and severity of injuries to
the knee joint have increased considerably over the last years.
Statistically the main causes are sports injuries. Quite often these
injuries are followed by post traumatic degenerative disorders.
However, degenerative changes which lead to osteoarthritis of the
knee joint can also develop spontaneously and are frequent. While
in the past extensive open surgery was necessary, today minimal-invasive
surgical techniques are the treatment of choice. These invasive
operations are very well tolerated and are giving much better results.

The knee joint is mainly built up by the biggest bones of the body.
A third small bone the patella is another bony component
and last but not least the head of the fibula is another bony anchor
for some very important ligamentous structures. Since there is no
bony congruence between these components a lot of other structures,
such as ligaments, cartilage menisci and synovium are needed to
fascilitate perfect joint function. In addition to these passive
structures muscles are needed as active elements for locomotion
and active stability control. The main passive stabilizing structures
are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate
ligament (PCL). Both together are building up the central pillar
of the knee joint. The ACL is mainly securing the tibia against
anterior translation whereas the PCL prevents the tibia from posterior
translation. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are protecting
the joint against sheering forces. The medial and lateral meniscus
are completing the congruence between the femoral and tibial joint
surface. The menisci, consisting of fibrous cartilage, are important
shock absorbers and passive stabilizers of the joint. Excessive
external forces, which are commonly acting on the knee joint during
accidents and sports injuries, may cause ruptures of the joint capsule,
the ligaments, the menisci and also damage the cartilage. In many
cases operative treatment is inevitable. Since the introduction
of minimal-invasive surgery therapeutical results have improved
greatly. Through tiny little skin incisions it is possible to operate
on the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle joint with minimal
surgical trauma. There is much less post operative pain and rehabilitation
time is much shorter in comparison to conventional open surgery.

Today arthroscopy (i.e. endoscopy of any joint) as minimal-invasive
operative technique is the state of the art in joint surgery. By
the help of a thin optical lens and a small chip camera the whole
interior aspect of the joint is shown on a monitor and precise diagnosis
is possible followed by refined surgical procedures with very small
precision instruments. This kind of surgery is technically demanding
and needs a lot of experience and surgical skill. Over the last
ten years, the surgeons of Praxisklinik 2000 have done
more than 25.000 arthrocopically assisted interventions. Our operating
theatres are fully equipped and kept always on the latest technical
standard. Our unit was certified and is controlled by a very well
respected institute for hygiene.

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anterior/posterior cruciate ligament,
medial and lateral collateral ligament, patella (elevated)
lft. knee joint
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medial and lateral meniscus (view
directly upon tibia head)
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