Arthroscopic Surgery and Diagnosis in Atlanta
Up until relatively recently, receiving corrective surgery to treat injured or diseased joints required complicated, invasive surgeries.
Surgical results were much more inconsistent than they are today, and there were many instances where revisionary surgeries were necessary to fix the results or replace artificial joint components. Recovery times for invasive joint surgeries were long, scarring was often extensive and physical therapy and rehabilitation could be grueling.
Arthroscopy surgery was a truly game-changing development in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Procedures that used to require invasive surgeries – sometimes just for the purpose of visualizing and diagnosing a joint injury or condition – can now be performed with a pencil-sized instrument.
This instrument, known as an arthroscope, contains a miniaturized video camera and lighting system. During surgery the arthroscope is inserted through a small incision and gives the surgeon the ability to clearly see the joint and any injuries or conditions affecting it.
The invention of the arthroscope and other miniaturized surgical technology has led to a revolution in orthopaedic care and surgical solutions for all part of the musculoskeletal system, from hips and knees to shoulders and wrists.
Torn ligament repairs
Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery
Torn cartilage (meniscus) repair in the knee or shoulder
Torn cartilage (meniscus) repair in the knee or shoulder
Anterior cruciate ligament (knee) reconstruction surgery
Synovium (inflamed lining) removal in the wrist, ankle, elbow, knee or shoulder
Carpal tunnel release
Arthroscopic spine surgery
The Most Common Uses of Arthroscopic Surgery
Up until relatively recently, receiving corrective surgery to treat injured or diseased joints required complicated, invasive surgeries.
Surgical results were much more inconsistent than they are today, and there were many instances where revisionary surgeries were necessary to fix the results or replace artificial joint components. Recovery times for invasive joint surgeries were long, scarring was often extensive and physical therapy and rehabilitation could be grueling.
Arthroscopy surgery was a truly game-changing development in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Procedures that used to require invasive surgeries – sometimes just for the purpose of visualizing and diagnosing a joint injury or condition – can now be performed with a pencil-sized instrument.
This instrument, known as an arthroscope, contains a miniaturized video camera and lighting system. During surgery the arthroscope is inserted through a small incision and gives the surgeon the ability to clearly see the joint and any injuries or conditions affecting it.
The invention of the arthroscope and other miniaturized surgical technology has led to a revolution in orthopaedic care and surgical solutions for all part of the musculoskeletal system, from hips and knees to shoulders and wrists.
Arthroscopy Surgical Procedure
Although arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, anesthetics are still required. The surgeon begins by making a small incision, usually about the size of a buttonhole. The surgeon will need to make several different incisions to ensure all relevant parts of the joint are adequately visualized and treated.
Prior to your surgery, your surgeon will discuss potential scenarios with you. Arthroscopy is often used as a diagnostic tool to ascertain the full extent of an orthopaedic injury. During pre-surgery consultations, your surgeon may suggest that if it is determined during exploratory arthroscopic surgery that a more invasive surgery is required to properly treat your injury that the additional procedure be performed while you are anesthetized and on the operating table already.
The possibility of this occurring is highly reliant on the type of injury or condition being diagnosed or treated with arthroscopy, and your surgeon will discuss these potentials and your options with you before the procedure.
Once the surgery has been concluded the patient is given instructions regarding appropriate activities to avoid or exercises they should do to promote a speedy recovery. The incisions are so small that in many cases patients do not need to be prescribed painkillers following the procedure.
During your follow-up appointment your doctor will remove the sutures, if necessary, and examine your surgery site to ensure it is healing properly. Your surgeon should also discuss rehabilitation and any steps you should take for optimal recovery.