Arthroscopy

May 16, 2022

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a type of keyhole procedure for diagnosing and treating problems in your joints. It may be advised in cases of joint inflammation that occurs from damaged or injured joints that may occur over time. Arthroscopy may be performed on any joint- the shoulder, knee, elbow, ankle, wrist or hip being among the most common. It is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can go home on the same day of the surgery. By making a small incision, the surgeon would be able to view the insides of your joint.

What does arthroscopy entail?

Arthroscopy surgery may require spinal or general anaesthesia, or block or epidural anaesthesia, depending on the joint and your condition. Two to three tiny incisions are made for looking inside the joint using the viewing device and treatment using surgical tools. The arthroscope tool has a camera and light to visualise the insides of your joint. First, the image of the insides of the joint is projected onto the screen to identify the damage and assess the interventions needed. If the level of damage necessitates surgical intervention, tiny specialised instruments for cutting, shaving, meniscus repair are introduced through the other small incisions.

The procedure itself may last less than an hour. The stitches will be closed with fine strips of tape. This procedure takes around half an hour to two hours, depending on the type of treatment.

If you have any doubts on the procedure, you can consult an orthopaedic surgeon.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Call 18605002244

Who is qualified to perform an arthroscopy procedure?

Orthopaedic surgeons perform arthroscopy. They are qualified to diagnose and treat various disorders of the muscular and skeletal systems. The Apollo group of hospitals boasts a great team of orthopaedic surgeons. They perform more than 700 arthroscopy procedures a year, giving them an edge over other hospitals.

Why is the arthroscopy procedure conducted?

An arthroscopy procedure is used to rule out problems that present with symptoms such as persistent joint pain and swelling or stiffness, that scans cannot identify. Arthroscopy also helps in:

Repairing cartilage that is damaged
Draining excess fluid from the joints
Treating joint issues like frozen shoulder, arthritis or other disorders of the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip or wrist.

What are the benefits of an arthroscopy procedure?

As the arthroscopy procedure involves small incisions, it has the following advantages over open surgeries:

Reduced soft tissue trauma
Reduced postoperative pain
Faster healing time
Reduced infection rate

What are the risks or complications of an arthroscopy procedure?

Due to the nature of the procedure, the risks associated with arthroscopy are less. A few issues like swelling, stiffness and discomfort post-procedure are expected. These get relieved after a few weeks. However, other rare complications are as follows:

Blood clot
Tissue or nerve damage
Infection
Bleeding inside the joint

What is the preparation before an arthroscopy?

Prior to arthroscopy, you would be told to avoid medications that are blood thinners. You will need to fast for at least eight hours before the procedure. Opt for loose clothing which would feel comfortable to move in after the procedure. Also, you will need to arrange for someone to take you home after the arthroscopy surgery as it will be difficult for you to drive yourself home.

What are the possible complications? When should you call your doctor?

If you have a fever, worsening pain at the site of surgery, severe swelling, numbness or tingling, or foul-smelling fluid oozing from the surgical site, you need to make an appointment to see your doctor at the earliest.

What is the aftercare post arthroscopy?

Your doctor will advise medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Physical therapy and rehabilitation will also help in muscle strengthening and in increasing the flexibility of your joints.

How can you reduce swelling and pain post arthroscopy at home?

At home, you can follow the mnemonic “RICE” to relieve pain and inflammation of the affected joint. R stands for rest, I stand for ice application, C stands for compression (ice for the first 24 hours followed by hot compression) and E stands for the elevation of the affected joint.

How soon can I resume physical activities post arthroscopy?

If you have a desk job, you can resume your work after a week. However, if the job involves more physical activity, it is better to resume after 2 weeks. It will take a few months to get back to your normal activity level.