Shoulder Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a procedure surgeons use to inspect, diagnose and repair problems inside a joint.
Success Rates:
The main advantages of arthroscopy are smaller incisions due to thinner instruments, which result in less pain and shorter recovery times. Shoulder arthroscopies have been used since the 1970s and are the most common arthroscopic procedure after knee arthroscopies.
Recovery Time:
Patients may be discharged from the hospital 1-2 days after the surgery.
Risks and Side Effects:
Although complication chances are very low, they do include infection, excessive bleeding, blood clots and damage to blood vessels or nerves.
Treatment period:
Regional nerve blocks are the most common anesthesia option for this procedure.
Common shoulder arthroscopic procedures include:
- Rotator cuff repair
- Bone spur removal
- Removal or repair of the labrum
- Repair of ligaments
- Removal of inflamed tissue or loose cartilage
- Repair for recurrent shoulder dislocation
Knee Arthroscopy
Treatment Period:
A knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique which utilizes a tiny fiber-optic camera - called an arthroscope- into your knee to diagnose and treat any issues within the joint. A knee arthroscopy may relieve painful symptoms of cartilage and soft tissue problems and is a viable option for patients not responding to nonsurgical treatments. The surgery consists of a surgeon making a few small incisions and inserting the arthroscope to diagnose the problem. If surgical treatment is needed, the surgeon will insert tiny instruments through other small incisions to repair the damage.
Recovery Time:
Most patients are released within a few hours of the procedure, but may be kept overnight to monitor the surgery area.
Treatment Period:
Common arthroscopic procedures for the knee include:
- Removal or repair of a torn meniscus
- Reconstruction of a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- Removal of inflamed synovial tissue
- Trimming of damaged articular cartilage
- Removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
- Treatment of kneecap (patella) problems
- Treatment of knee infections
Ankle Arthroscopy
An ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which uses a fiber-optic camera –called an arthroscope- and small surgical tools inserted through small incisions, to operate in and around the ankle joint.
The need for an ankle arthroscopy may arise from issues such as:
- Debris in patient’s ankle due to torn cartilage or a bone chip
- Ligament damage due to a severely sprained ankle
Most patients will be released from the hospital same day and may be able to return to work within 1-2 weeks.
