Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems. A small camera is inserted through a tiny incision, allowing the surgeon to view the joint’s interior. This technique helps reduce recovery time, minimize scarring, and provides more accurate diagnoses, enabling targeted treatment. Arthroscopy is commonly performed on knees, shoulders, ankles, and other joints. It has become a preferred option due to its benefits in enhancing patient outcomes and improving overall joint health.
It is commonly employed for knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle joint conditions, providing effective and precise medical intervention for patients with joint-related concerns.
In an arthroscopic surgery, an orthopedic surgeon makes a small incision in the
patient's skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and
lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. Light is
transmitted through fiber optics to the end of the arthroscope that is inserted into
the joint.
By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature television camera, the surgeon is able to
see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than a large
incision needed for surgery.
The television camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on
a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look, for example, throughout the knee.
This lets the surgeon see the cartilage, ligaments, and under the kneecap. The
surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the
problem, if it is necessary.
➔ Why is Arthroscopy necessary?
➔ What are the possible advantages of a hip replacement?
➔ How is Arthroscopy performed?
➔ What are the advantages?
Diagnosing joint injuries and disease begins with a thorough medical history,
physical examination, and usually X-rays. Additional tests such as magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) also scan may be needed.
Through the arthroscope, a final diagnosis is made, which may be more accurate
than through "open" surgery or from X-ray studies.
➔ Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendon tears, impingement syndrome, and recurrent
dislocations
➔ Knee: Meniscal (cartilage) tears, chondromalacia (wearing or injury of
cartilage cushion), and anterior cruciate ligament tears with instability
➔ Wrist: Carpal tunnel syndrome
➔ Loose bodies of bone and/or cartilage: for example, knee, shoulder, elbow,
ankle, or wrist
Freedom from pain is the main possible advantage of hip replacement surgery,
along with improved mobility. Both of these should improve your quality of life. You'll
have some pain from thes surgery to begin with but you should soon start to notice
improvements soon after the operation.
How is Arthroscopy performed?
Arthroscopic surgery, although much easier in terms of recovery than & quot ; open & quot;
surgery, still requires the use of anesthetics and the special equipment in a hospital
operating room or outpatient surgical suite. You will be given a general, spinal, or a
local anesthetic, depending on the joint or suspected problem.
A small incision (about the size of a buttonhole) will be made to insert the
arthroscope. Several other incisions may be made to see other parts of the joint or
insert other instruments.
Although arthroscopic surgery has received a lot of public attention because it is
used to treat well-known athletes, it is an extremely valuable tool for all orthopaedic
patients and is generally easier on the patient than "open" surgery. Most patients
have their arthroscopic surgery as outpatients and are home several hours after the
surgery.