Injuries are a part of life if you are physically active. But when you’re a sportsman or an athlete, you can’t let injury hurt your performance. Joint pain and joint wear and tear are quite common in athletes but it is important to treat them. Common pain can be treated with OTC medications and ointments but if you are suffering from a major injury that requires surgical intervention, it is advisable to explore all options. Nowadays, people prefer minimally invasive surgical procedures like arthroscopy. This surgery diagnoses problems in your joints, mainly the knee and provides effective treatment. In this paragraph, Dr. Illustrated Version, Senior Consultant Orthopedics; Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgeon at Sant Paramananda Special Surgery Hospital, New Delhi Explains everything about arthroscopic surgery, how it is done and why it is useful for the treatment of knee joint-related problems.
What is arthroscopy surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery or arthroscopy is a medical procedure that only orthopedic surgeons use to analyze joints, identify problems, and treat them. Its minimally invasive strategy is designed to treat and heal joint damage. Patients may benefit from hospital reduction, faster recovery time, and fewer scarring. Arthroscopic surgery treats patients who return to their feet, from the ankles and wrists to the knees and shoulders.
Also read: Tips for rehabilitation after knee replacement surgery
Arthroscopic knee surgery procedure
If you are wondering how this surgery is performed in a minimally invasive manner that makes it safe for people who do not want to undergo major surgery. Here is the step-by-step procedure of arthroscopic surgery such as Dr. Version explained:
- An orthopedic specialist will perform small cuts near the problematic joint about 14 feet in diameter through arthroscopic surgery.
- The surgeon will then place a sterile fluid into a hole, inflate the joint and provide a better view as well as more work space.
- A small tube consisting of fiber optics and lenses is then placed in a hole by the surgeon. This tube is called an arthroscope.
- The arthroscope is attached to a video camera, which allows the internal parts of the joint such as ligaments and cartilage to be enlarged and presented on the television screen.
- Arthroscopes are available in different sizes depending on the joint used.
- The arthroscope is about 5 mm in diameter if the doctor looks at the knee. It can be 0.5 mm in diameter for a wrist.
- On the video screen, the doctor will be able to see what is happening beneath the epidermis.
- If you have arthroscopy to diagnose a problem, the cuts will be closed with easily absorbed or non-absorbable stitches as soon as the surgeon is sure of the cause of the problem.
- If an operation is performed to diagnose a problem, small instruments will be placed through the hole to repair the problem.
- From anchored stitches to bone knots, these tools are specialized for every job.
- When the project is completed, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches.
Arthroscopy facility
A major advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that it does not require the joint to be fully opened. The surgeon keeps a small incision and identifies the root cause of the problem and provides the necessary treatment.
Used to treat arthroscopic knee, osteoarthritis of the knee, meniscus tear, hip, shoulder, wrist, spine and temporomandibular joint. This method is useful for the following reasons:
- Both the stain and the cut size are small.
- Less bleeding means faster recovery.
- Reduces the risk of infection.
- Reduces the need for discomfort and pain medication.
- The process for outpatients is about to begin.
- Reduces pain / need for pain medication
- 7 is going to be performed in the settings of outpatients
Conclusion
Inflammation, damaged ligaments and tendons, loose bones or cartilage, and even some diseases can all be treated with arthroscopic surgery. If a patient has a joint problem, there is a good chance of diagnosing and treating it with arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopies are usually performed on the knees and shoulders, but they can be performed on any joint.
Image Credit – Fripic