Arthoscopy

What is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a procedure to look inside a joint by using an arthroscope. An arthroscope is like a thin telescope with a light source used to magnify the structures inside a joint allowing evaluation and treatment of problems. In arthroscopic surgery, a doctor can use fine instruments which are passed into the joint through a small incision in the skin. These instruments are used to cut, trim, biopsy, grab etc, inside the joint.

How is it done?

Arthroscopy and arthroscopic surgery generally lasts about one hour and may be done under local or general anesthesia depending on the joint being examined and various other considerations. During the procedure the surgeon will pass an arthroscope through a small cut in the skin and into a joint.

Why is it done?

Arthroscopy may be done to investigate symptoms such as pain, swelling, or instability of a joint. An arthroscopy may show damage to cartilage or ligaments within a joint, fragments of bone or cartilage which have broken off, or signs of arthritis. Arthroscopic surgery can often treat and repair joints without the need for more traditional 'open' surgery of a joint which involves a large cut. Generally there is less pain following the procedure, less risk of complications, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery.

Risks & complications

Although rare, complications do occur during or following arthroscopy. They include:

• Accidental damage to structures inside or near the joint- Excessive bleeding inside the joint, which can cause swelling and pain
• Infection within the joint
• Risks and complications associated with anesthesia, including respiratory and cardiac malfunction

Patients undergoing arthroscopy can have varying diagnoses and pre-existing conditions. Surgeries vary widely and are patient specific.

Risks can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery.

Alternatives

The surgeon may discuss alternative approaches to the Arthroscopy procedure. For example 'open surgery' may be indicated in cases where arthroscopic intervention will be ineffective.

Candidate eligibility

The best candidates for Arthroscopy are healthy adults with no previous surgeries or scarring in the area being treated. The surgeon will make the final determination of each patient's eligibility for the procedure after an examination and consultation with the patient.

Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment

What is Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment?

Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment is a procedure to look and perform some procedures inside the knee by using a thin telescope. The meniscus is a special cartilage inside the knee that fills in the space between the thigh bone and the leg bone. Arthroscope can be used to repair meniscus tear and to trim irreparable part of the meniscus which may cause pain or catching inside the knee.

How is it done?

The surgeon will pass an arthroscope through a small cut in the skin and into a joint. Healing potential can be enhanced by inducing healing reaction, either by inducing bleeding or fibrin clot. Special suture material will be used depending on the character of the tear. Arthroscopic meniscus surgery generally lasts about one hour under general anesthesia. After the procedure, the patient may have to limit their activity to some degrees but this will be kept to the minimal using strong and reliable suture material that allows early knee function.

Why is it done?

The meniscus is indispensable. When one lost meniscus, one create an unfavorable condition for nearby cartilage. The knee starts to degenerate, especially if there is associated ligament damage. Meniscus treatment is, therefore, not just a pain relieving procedure but also a preventive measure for arthritis. The most common associated ligament injury in meniscus injury is anterior cruciate ligament injury. This may have to be addressed as well. Otherwise the instability situation may cause repeated meniscus injury and result in failure of meniscus treatment.

Risks & complications

Although rare, complications do occur during or following arthroscopy. They include:

• Accidental damage to structures inside or near the joint
• Excessive bleeding inside the joint, which can cause swelling and pain
• Infection within the joint
• Risks and complications associated with anesthesia, including respiratory and cardiac malfunction

Alternative

The surgeon may discuss alternative approaches. For Example 'conservative treatment' may be indicated in cases where potential for healing is already high without need for arthroscopic procedure.

Arthroscopy & ACL Reconstruction (Knee)

What is Arthroscopy and how is it useful in repairing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries to the knee?

In anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, a doctor can use fine instruments which are passed into the joint via an arthroscope and into the knee in order to reconstruct torn ligaments. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is caused by extreme stretching and tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. An arthroscope is like a thin telescope with a light source used to magnify the structures inside the knee allowing evaluation and treatment.

How is it done?

ACL reconstruction generally takes between one and two hours and is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will sleep through the surgery, or spinal block. Patients can have varying diagnoses and pre-existing conditions. Surgeries vary widely and are patient specific. The most common method of ACL repair utilizes a segment of tendon which is removed and then grafted in the same position as the damaged ACL. A three to five inch incision is made in the knee in order to harvest the ligament graft. The rest of the operation is done arthroscopically. The old ACL tissue is removed and the new tendon is pinned in place.

Why is it done?

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries do not heal by themselves. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction allows for a minimally invasive procedure which can restore secure motion of the knee with a minimum amount of time needed for recovery.

Risks & complications

Although rare, complications do occur during or following arthroscopy. They include the possibility of:

• Accidental damage to structures inside or near to the joint
• Excessive bleeding inside the joint which can cause swelling and pain
• Infection within the joint
• Reaction to the anesthesia

Risks can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery.

Alternative

The surgeon may discuss alternative approaches to the Arthroscopy procedure. For example 'open surgery' may be indicated in cases where arthroscopic intervention will be ineffective.

Candidate eligibility

The best candidates for Arthroscopy are healthy adults with no previous surgeries or scarring in the area being treated. The surgeon will make the final determination of each patient's eligibility for the procedure after an examination and consultation with the patient.