Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint-related conditions, most commonly performed on the knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle joints. It involves the insertion of a small, flexible instrument called an arthroscope through tiny incisions in the skin, allowing the surgeon to visualize the inside of the joint on a monitor.
During arthroscopic surgery, the arthroscope is equipped with a camera and light source, providing high-definition images of the joint's structures, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bones. This real-time visualization enables the surgeon to identify and address various issues, such as torn ligaments, damaged cartilage, bone spurs, or loose bodies within the joint.
Arthroscopic procedures offer several advantages over traditional open surgery, including smaller incisions, reduced trauma to surrounding tissues, less postoperative pain, shorter recovery times, and lower risk of complications. Common arthroscopic surgeries include meniscal repair, ligament reconstruction, cartilage debridement, rotator cuff repair, and labral repair.
After the procedure, patients typically undergo physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and function to the joint. Arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized the field of orthopedic surgery, providing patients with effective treatment options for a wide range of joint-related conditions while minimizing the impact on their daily lives.
