What is arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery uses minimally invasive techniques to access the inside of your joint without having to make large incisions in the surrounding tissues.
The arthroscope that Dr. Smith uses is a surgical instrument fitted with a light and a magnifying lens. The arthroscope's camera feeds clear images of the surgery site to a monitor in the operating room that she can use to guide the procedure.
Dr. Smith fits the arthroscope and additional arthroscopic instruments through small incisions known as portals.
What is arthroscopic surgery used for?
Dr. Smith uses arthroscopy as a diagnostic tool as well as a treatment method. Initially, the aim is to examine the structures in your joints in detail to determine the extent of any tissue damage or deterioration.
Where possible, Dr. Smith then uses arthroscopic tools to repair damaged tissues. Procedures she commonly performs include tendon and ligament repair or reconstruction and the removal of loose fragments of cartilage or bone from a joint.
Conditions Dr. Smith can treat using arthroscopic surgery include:
- Synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining)
- Rotator cuff tears
- Impingement syndrome
- Shoulder instability
- Meniscal (cartilage) tears
- Chondromalacia (damage to the cartilage cushion)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears with instability
Knees and shoulders are the joints most often treated using arthroscopy.
What are the benefits of arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery has some notable benefits compared with open surgery, such as:
- Reduced levels of pain
- Less bleeding
- Lower risk of complications
- Less chance of infection
- Much smaller scars
- Shorter recovery time
All patients who have arthroscopic surgery at Regenerative Orthopedics Institute do so on an outpatient basis, meaning they can go home the same day. Open surgery sometimes requires at least a day in the hospital.
Why might I need arthroscopic surgery?
Nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, bracing and splinting, regenerative medicine therapies using stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and steroid injections are typically successful in resolving musculoskeletal conditions. Arthroscopic surgery is rarely the first step.
However, if you have an injury that can't heal without intervention, or your condition fails to improve after following a course of nonsurgical treatment, Dr. Smith might recommend arthroscopic surgery.
To find out more about arthroscopic surgery and how you could benefit from Dr. Smith's expertise, call Regenerative Orthopedics Institute today or book an appointment online.
