ARTHROSCOPY

ABOUT JOINT ARTHROSCOPY

Joint arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows surgeons to examine, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. It is performed using an arthroscope, which is a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light source on the end that is inserted into the joint through small incisions.

During the procedure, the arthroscope transmits images of the joint to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the joint and assess any damage or abnormalities. The surgeon may also use other small surgical instruments to remove or repair damaged tissue, such as torn cartilage or ligaments, or to perform other procedures like removing bone spurs or draining excess fluid.

Joint arthroscopy is typically performed on larger joints like the knee, shoulder, hip and ankle although smaller joints such as the wrist and elbow can be scoped as well. It is a minimally invasive procedure that often results in less pain, faster recovery time, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can typically go home the same day.

1. Indications: Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to treat conditions affecting the following joints:

• • • Knee Arthroscopy: Common procedures include meniscus repair or resection, ligament reconstruction (e.g. ACL, PCL. MCL. LCL tears), cartilage repair, removal of loose bodies and treatment of synovitis.
    • Shoulder Arthroscopy: Surgeons may perform rotator cuff repair, labral repair, decompression for impingement syndrome, removal of bone spurs, instability and treatment of recurrent dislocations.
    • Ankle Arthroscopy: Indications include ankle impingement, ligament repair, removal of loose fragments and synovectomy.
    • Hip Arthroscopy: Procedures involve labral repair, treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), removal of loose bodies and addressing hip joint conditions.
    • Elbow Arthroscopy: Common surgeries include the management of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, as well as addressing loose bodies and damaged cartilage.
    • Wrist Arthroscopy: This less common but increasingly utilized procedure is employed to diagnose and treat various wrist conditions, including ligament tears (e.g. TFCC tears), ganglion cyst removal, and the evaluation of wrist joint disorders.

2. Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examination, imaging studies (e.g. MRI, X-rays), and a discussion of the patient’s medical history. This evaluation helps the surgeon determine the appropriate treatment plan.

3. Anesthesia: Arthroscopic surgery can be performed under different types of anesthesia, depending on the joint and procedure. Options include local anesthesia, regional anesthesia (e.g. nerve blocks), or general anesthesia. The choice is made based on the patient’s and surgeon’s preferences.

4. Surgical Procedure:

• • • Preparation: The patient is positioned on the operating table, and the surgical area is cleaned and sterilized.
    • Incisions: One or more small incisions, typically less than 1 cm in length, are made near the joint. These serve as portals through which the arthroscope and specialized surgical instruments are inserted.
    • Arthroscope Insertion: The arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a clear view of the joint’s interior on a monitor.
    • Treatment: The surgeon may perform various procedures, such as removing damaged tissue, repairing torn ligaments or cartilage, smoothing out rough surfaces, or removing loose bodies.
    • Closure: Once the necessary repairs are made, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips.

5. Recovery and Rehabilitation:

• • • After surgery, patients are closely monitored in a recovery area.
    • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are prescribed to help regain strength, mobility, and function in the treated joint. Specific bracing may also be part of rehabilitation.
    • The length of the recovery period varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure but is generally shorter than with open surgery.

6. Potential Benefits:

• • • Minimally invasive with smaller incisions and less tissue disruption.
    • Reduced pain and scarring.
    • Faster recovery and return to normal activities.
    • Lower risk of complications compared to open surgery.

Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of joint-related issues, offering a less invasive and more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.

ARTHROSCOPY

ABOUT JOINT ARTHROSCOPY

Joint arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows surgeons to examine, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. It is performed using an arthroscope, which is a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light source on the end that is inserted into the joint through small incisions.

During the procedure, the arthroscope transmits images of the joint to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the joint and assess any damage or abnormalities. The surgeon may also use other small surgical instruments to remove or repair damaged tissue, such as torn cartilage or ligaments, or to perform other procedures like removing bone spurs or draining excess fluid.

Joint arthroscopy is typically performed on larger joints like the knee, shoulder, hip and ankle although smaller joints such as the wrist and elbow can be scoped as well. It is a minimally invasive procedure that often results in less pain, faster recovery time, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can typically go home the same day.

1. Indications: Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to treat conditions affecting the following joints:

• • • Knee Arthroscopy: Common procedures include meniscus repair or resection, ligament reconstruction (e.g. ACL, PCL. MCL. LCL tears), cartilage repair, removal of loose bodies and treatment of synovitis.
    • Shoulder Arthroscopy: Surgeons may perform rotator cuff repair, labral repair, decompression for impingement syndrome, removal of bone spurs, instability and treatment of recurrent dislocations.
    • Ankle Arthroscopy: Indications include ankle impingement, ligament repair, removal of loose fragments and synovectomy.
    • Hip Arthroscopy: Procedures involve labral repair, treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), removal of loose bodies and addressing hip joint conditions.
    • Elbow Arthroscopy: Common surgeries include the management of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, as well as addressing loose bodies and damaged cartilage.
    • Wrist Arthroscopy: This less common but increasingly utilized procedure is employed to diagnose and treat various wrist conditions, including ligament tears (e.g. TFCC tears), ganglion cyst removal, and the evaluation of wrist joint disorders.

2. Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examination, imaging studies (e.g. MRI, X-rays), and a discussion of the patient’s medical history. This evaluation helps the surgeon determine the appropriate treatment plan.

3. Anesthesia: Arthroscopic surgery can be performed under different types of anesthesia, depending on the joint and procedure. Options include local anesthesia, regional anesthesia (e.g. nerve blocks), or general anesthesia. The choice is made based on the patient’s and surgeon’s preferences.

4. Surgical Procedure:

• • • Preparation: The patient is positioned on the operating table, and the surgical area is cleaned and sterilized.
    • Incisions: One or more small incisions, typically less than 1 cm in length, are made near the joint. These serve as portals through which the arthroscope and specialized surgical instruments are inserted.
    • Arthroscope Insertion: The arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a clear view of the joint’s interior on a monitor.
    • Treatment: The surgeon may perform various procedures, such as removing damaged tissue, repairing torn ligaments or cartilage, smoothing out rough surfaces, or removing loose bodies.
    • Closure: Once the necessary repairs are made, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips.

5. Recovery and Rehabilitation:

• • • After surgery, patients are closely monitored in a recovery area.
    • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are prescribed to help regain strength, mobility, and function in the treated joint. Specific bracing may also be part of rehabilitation.
    • The length of the recovery period varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure but is generally shorter than with open surgery.

6. Potential Benefits:

• • • Minimally invasive with smaller incisions and less tissue disruption.
    • Reduced pain and scarring.
    • Faster recovery and return to normal activities.
    • Lower risk of complications compared to open surgery.

Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of joint-related issues, offering a less invasive and more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.

ARTHROSCOPY

ABOUT JOINT ARTHROSCOPY

Joint arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows surgeons to examine, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. It is performed using an arthroscope, which is a thin, rigid tube with a camera and a light source on the end that is inserted into the joint through small incisions.

During the procedure, the arthroscope transmits images of the joint to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the joint and assess any damage or abnormalities. The surgeon may also use other small surgical instruments to remove or repair damaged tissue, such as torn cartilage or ligaments, or to perform other procedures like removing bone spurs or draining excess fluid.

Joint arthroscopy is typically performed on larger joints like the knee, shoulder, hip and ankle although smaller joints such as the wrist and elbow can be scoped as well. It is a minimally invasive procedure that often results in less pain, faster recovery time, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can typically go home the same day.

1. Indications: Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery is commonly used to treat conditions affecting the following joints:

• • • Knee Arthroscopy: Common procedures include meniscus repair or resection, ligament reconstruction (e.g. ACL, PCL. MCL. LCL tears), cartilage repair, removal of loose bodies and treatment of synovitis.
    • Shoulder Arthroscopy: Surgeons may perform rotator cuff repair, labral repair, decompression for impingement syndrome, removal of bone spurs, instability and treatment of recurrent dislocations.
    • Ankle Arthroscopy: Indications include ankle impingement, ligament repair, removal of loose fragments and synovectomy.
    • Hip Arthroscopy: Procedures involve labral repair, treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), removal of loose bodies and addressing hip joint conditions.
    • Elbow Arthroscopy: Common surgeries include the management of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, as well as addressing loose bodies and damaged cartilage.
    • Wrist Arthroscopy: This less common but increasingly utilized procedure is employed to diagnose and treat various wrist conditions, including ligament tears (e.g. TFCC tears), ganglion cyst removal, and the evaluation of wrist joint disorders.

2. Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation, which may include physical examination, imaging studies (e.g. MRI, X-rays), and a discussion of the patient’s medical history. This evaluation helps the surgeon determine the appropriate treatment plan.

3. Anesthesia: Arthroscopic surgery can be performed under different types of anesthesia, depending on the joint and procedure. Options include local anesthesia, regional anesthesia (e.g. nerve blocks), or general anesthesia. The choice is made based on the patient’s and surgeon’s preferences.

4. Surgical Procedure:

• • • Preparation: The patient is positioned on the operating table, and the surgical area is cleaned and sterilized.
    • Incisions: One or more small incisions, typically less than 1 cm in length, are made near the joint. These serve as portals through which the arthroscope and specialized surgical instruments are inserted.
    • Arthroscope Insertion: The arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a clear view of the joint’s interior on a monitor.
    • Treatment: The surgeon may perform various procedures, such as removing damaged tissue, repairing torn ligaments or cartilage, smoothing out rough surfaces, or removing loose bodies.
    • Closure: Once the necessary repairs are made, the instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips.

5. Recovery and Rehabilitation:

• • • After surgery, patients are closely monitored in a recovery area.
    • Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are prescribed to help regain strength, mobility, and function in the treated joint. Specific bracing may also be part of rehabilitation.
    • The length of the recovery period varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure but is generally shorter than with open surgery.

6. Potential Benefits:

• • • Minimally invasive with smaller incisions and less tissue disruption.
    • Reduced pain and scarring.
    • Faster recovery and return to normal activities.
    • Lower risk of complications compared to open surgery.

Orthopedic arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of joint-related issues, offering a less invasive and more effective approach to diagnosis and treatment.