ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY
WHAT IS ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to diagnose and treat issues within a joint. A small, fiber-optic camera that’s inserted into the joint gives your physician a close-up view of the joint to visualize and repair problems. An arthroscopic procedure is commonly performed for problems in the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee and ankle joints.
Sometimes your surgeon will perform arthroscopy to see, assess and diagnose a joint injury. In these cases, you may need further treatment or a second procedure for the actual repairs. Other times, your surgeon will repair or remove damaged cartilage, torn ligaments or tendons, loose bone or cartilage fragments, or an inflamed joint lining. Arthroscopy is a very safe and low-risk procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PROCEDURE
At Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, we perform arthroscopy as an outpatient procedure so that you can return home the same day.
At the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision above the damaged joint. He or she will insert a small, thin tube with a fiber-optic camera. The image of the inside of your joint will be transmitted to a high-definition monitor for your surgeon to view. Using small tools, your doctor will assess the damage or injury and make repairs if necessary. Afterward, the incision is closed and covered. If your surgeon discovered extensive damage that couldn’t be repaired with arthroscopy alone, you’ll discuss next steps after your procedure.
RECOVERY
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it has fewer risks than open surgery and requires less downtime and recovery time. You’ll be able to return home the same day as surgery and our staff will give you specific instructions to help aid your recovery. You may experience some pain and tenderness following the procedure, but many patients are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks of surgery.
Some of the primary benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
- Smaller incisions
- Fewer complications and bloss loss during surgery
- Less damage to surrounding muscle and soft tissues
- Lower risk of infection
- Less post-op pain and less reliance on strong pain medications during recovery
- Faster recovery and rehabilitation
- Better cosmetic results with minimal scarring
We encourage you to learn more about minimally invasive surgery and the benefits here:
5 Advantages of Minimally Invasive Procedures
CONTACT INTEGRITY SPINE AND ORTHOPEDICS TO FIND RELIEF FROM BACK OR NECK PAIN
At Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, we specialize in identifying, diagnosing and treating a wide range of acute and chronic back, spine and joint conditions. If you’re experiencing back or joint pain, weakness, or a loss of mobility, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation with our team. We provide compassionate and comprehensive care to help you find relief from pain and get back to doing the activities you love.
Call us at 904-456-0017 or contact us online to request an appointment.