Arthroscopic surgery is a highly effective and beneficial method of performing a variety of surgical procedures, including orthopedic procedures. Traditional surgeries require surgeons to open up the entire area being operated on using large incisions. Arthroscopic surgery is an alternative to this. Let’s take a look at what arthroscopic surgery is, what kind of procedures can be performed using this method, and the benefits of arthroscopic surgery.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery involves the use of miniature surgical tools, multiple small incisions, and a very small camera called an arthroscope. Instead of making a large incision to open up the entire area where the procedure is being performed, arthroscopic surgery involves inserting a small camera inside the area through a small incision and then performing the surgery through other small incisions made close by. While performing the surgery, the surgeon sees the inside of the surgical site on a monitor.
Arthroscopic Procedures
There are a variety of procedures that can be performed using the arthroscopic method. Here are some examples of joint or orthopedic procedures that can be performed arthroscopically:
- Shoulder: rotator cuff injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis damage, frozen shoulder, labral tears, etc.
- Knee: dislocated knees, meniscus injuries, ACL tears, cartilage injuries, etc.
- Ankle: damaged cartilage, bone spurs, posterior ankle pain, scar tissue, etc.
- Hip: labral tears, arthritis damage, snapping hip syndrome, loose or damaged cartilage, etc.
Why Choose Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery offers a host of benefits over traditional surgery. Here are some of them:
- Less Stitches and Scars – Because arthroscopic surgery greatly reduces the size of incisions needed to perform the procedure, there are significantly less stitches required. This leads to less scarring once the surgery site heals. This also reduces the risk of infection as the wounds are significantly smaller.
- Less Trauma to Healthy Tissue – Arthroscopic surgery attempts to minimize trauma on healthy tissue surrounding the damaged area. When the surgery is performed, surgeons attempt to disturb healthy tissue only when it is absolutely necessary. With traditional open surgeries, the entire site is opened up and moved around to get a visual on specific parts of the body where the surgery needs to be performed. Arthroscopic surgery uses a camera to give the surgeon this visibility instead.
- Shorter Hospital Stay – Because of less trauma to healthy tissue and smaller incisions required in arthroscopic procedures, patients often spend significantly less time in hospitals after surgery. In fact, a lot of arthroscopic procedures are performed in outpatient centers, and patients are able to go home on the same day.
- Faster Recovery – Less trauma to tissue translates to faster recovery. This means patients can go back to their lives faster after surgery. Patients who get arthroscopic surgeries experience less pain symptoms and recover from surgery a lot quicker than patients who opt for traditional procedures of the same nature.
Arthroscopic Surgery in Naples, Florida
If you are in need of joint surgery and want to explore if arthroscopic surgery is a viable option for you, contact the experts at Joint Replacement Institute by calling (239) 261-2663. Their surgeons have a wealth of experience treating joint pain using state-of-the-art methods (non-surgical and surgical). You can also request an appointment online.
