If you are suffering from joint pain, your orthopedic surgeon may suggest arthroscopic surgery. This procedure can help clarify the issue you are experiencing and even resolve the problems affecting your mobility. Richmond University Medical Center is staffed with board-certified doctors that work with a team of orthopedic specialists to offer you care from the procedure through your recovery.
Basics of Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery is used to provide a clear view of your joint so the doctor can diagnose your issue and solve the problem. This is accomplished by making a small incision near the affected joint and inserting a fiber optic video camera attached to a narrow, flexible tube. This camera projects an image of the inside of your joint onto a screen so the doctor has a clear view of what’s going on inside your body. From this imaging, a diagnosis and proper treatment procedure can be determined. Depending on the region that is being examined and the length of time the operation is expected to take, local or regional anesthesia may be used in the affected part of the body. In other cases, you may require complete sedation.
Sometimes, the issue that the doctor sees can be fixed immediately. Specially designed instruments will be inserted through other small incisions made nearby and used to clear up your ailment. The convenience of undergoing an operation without needing a large incision is appealing to many patients due to minimal scarring and potentially faster recovery times.
When Arthroscopic Surgery is Needed
While diagnosing your joint pain, a doctor may use a variety of methods. A physical examination, X-rays and an MRI may be used before arthroscopic surgery becomes an option. Based on these studies, your doctor may recommend arthroscopy to address the pathology. Arthroscopic surgery can be conducted on most joints, but most commonly will be used for conditions affecting the ankles, elbows, hips, knees, shoulders and wrists. There are a host of medical issues that are frequently diagnosed and treated with arthroscopic surgery. Some of these may include:
- The repair of tendon tears such as the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder.
- Repair or removal of cartilage tears such as the meniscus in the knee or the labrum in the shoulder.
- Repair or reconstruction of ligament tears such as the ACL in the knee, or capsule tears in the shoulder which can happen after a shoulder dislocation.
- Removal of loose bodies as can occur with arthritis in joints such as the knee or shoulder.
- Removal of inflamed tissue such as synovitis.
As with torn ligaments, arthroscopic surgery can be used with other forms of surgery to repair a more serious issue, such as a torn rotator cuff or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Alleviate Your Joint Pain
For any joint pain that you may be experiencing, be sure to visit Richmond University Medical Center, where we offer arthroscopic surgery and a number of other minimally invasive surgical procedures. Our orthopedic surgery unit is headed by two board-certified orthopedic surgeons who are assisted by a team of physical therapists and specially trained registered nurses to address all of your medical needs. To learn more information or schedule an appointment, call 718-818-4750.
