Arthroscopic Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects
Last Updated: Jul 01, 2023
What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery, or arthroscopy, can be best defined as a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is basically used to diagnose, visualize, and treat problems that occur inside a joint. The procedure involves a surgeon inserting a narrow tube through a very small incision (or cut) that is no larger than a buttonhole.
This tube is connected to a video camera based on fiber optic technology. The camera provides a clear view of the inside of the joint, which is displayed on a high-definition video monitor. This essentially allows the surgeon to make a precise diagnosis and perform treatment with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.Joint pain can be quite debilitating and troublesome. It can potentially lead to permanent damage if left untreated. So, anyone who has been suffering from pain in their joints might be considering an arthroscopy to treat the problem.
Arthroscopic surgery can sometimes be used as a guide for further procedures like implementing a biopsy or inserting steroid injections. However, the procedure can also be used for other purposes, including treating tendonitis or removing loose fragments of cartilage.Arthroscopy may be a helpful option for you if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms that haven't responded to physical therapy or other treatments:
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain
- Ankle pain
- Joint stiffness
- Swelling
- Restricted range of motion
- Weakness or instability
- Clicking or catching of the joint
Types of Arthroscopic Surgery:
Knee Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a procedure that orthopedists often use to treat various knee injuries. Some of the more common issues that knee arthroscopy can help repair include:
- Posterior cruciate ligaments or torn anterior (PCL or ACL)
- Torn meniscus (which is the cartilage between the knee bones)
- Fractures
- Displaced patella (kneecap)
- During the surgery, your surgeon will use various surgical techniques such as inserting pins or rivets, suturing, or repositioning bones in order to fix the issue. Arthroscopy can even be performed in order to remove a tissue or bone that might be impeding a person's movement or causing any kind of pain or discomfort. For example, the following conditions may require arthroscopy:
- Loose cartilage
- Baker's cysts (which are often linked with arthritis)
- Swollen or inflamed synovium (the lining of the joint)
- It must be noted that most knee arthroscopy procedures only take around one hour to finish, and they are usually done in an outpatient surgical center.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery, or shoulder arthroscopy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat a number of issues that commonly affect the shoulder, such as:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Impingement syndrome (mainly caused by a bone spur known as the acromion)
- Ligament tear
- Inflamed tissue (located right above the shoulder joint)
- Torn labrum, which is the cartilage lining the shoulder joint (it may also lead to shoulder instability)
- A Bankart lesion, or a labrum tear on the shoulder joint's lower part
- SLAP lesion (a tear that affects the labrum and a ligament on the shoulder joint's top)
- Bicipital tendon tears
- Synovitis, or joint lining inflammation
- Arthritis of the clavicle (or collarbone)
- Your course of treatment will depend on what kind of injury or issue you have. In some cases, your surgeon may need to bring the edges of a torn tendon together and attach it to the bone using sutures, metal rivets, or plastic rivets. In other cases, surgery may require cleaning out or removing damaged or inflamed tissue, or cutting a ligament.
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopic surgery can be very effective in repairing and treating problems in the ankle. Frequently performed arthroscopic repairs to the ankle include:
- Ankle fusion for end-stage arthritis
- Fracture repair and proper bone and cartilage alignment after a break (note: ankle fractures may require a combination of arthroscopic and open surgery)
- Tightening of ligaments to treat ankle instability
- Treatment of osteochondral defects (OCDs) caused by fractures or sprains (note: surgery may involve scraping away damaged cartilage, bone grafting, or cartilage transplant)
- You may need to have tissue or bone removed from your ankle in order to reduce pain and restore range of motion. This may be necessary if you are suffering from conditions such as anterior ankle impingement (inflammation at the front of the joint), arthrofibrosis, an infection that does not respond to antibiotics, loose bodies, osteophytes (bone spurs), posterior ankle impingement (inflammation at the back of the ankle), or synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the ankle joint).
- Depending on the severity of your ankle injury or damage, your orthopedist may need to perform a debridement procedure (removing dead or infected tissue), a bone shaving procedure, or a joint washout procedure. Ankle procedures usually take about one hour and can be conveniently carried out in an outpatient surgical center.
Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery:
- Smaller incisions
- Minimal postoperative discomfort or pain
- Minimal soft tissue trauma
- Decreased blood loss
- Fewer scars
- Less injury or damage to surrounding tissues
- Faster healing or recovery time
- Reduced infection rate
Why Is Arthroscopic Surgery Done?
Arthroscopic surgery is a common surgical procedure that helps a doctor or surgeon diagnose and treat various joint conditions. The most common joints that are treated by this type of surgical procedure include the elbow, hip, shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle.
Arthroscopic surgery is performed by making small incisions in the skin around the joint area in order to insert a tiny camera called an arthroscope. This mainly allows the doctor to get a clear view of the inside of the joint so that they can identify any problems that may be present and treat the same.
What Are the Risks of Arthroscopic Surgery?
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage (rare)
- Persistent swelling, pain, or stiffness (very rare)
How Do I Prepare for Arthroscopic Surgery?
The best way to prepare for arthroscopic surgery is to give yourself as much time as possible to get things in order. This means both physically preparing your body and making sure your home is set up in a way that will help you recover.
Your orthopedist will likely have you:
- Get a physical exam, blood work, and urine analysis to identify any potential problems
- Adjust medications such as blood thinners
- Get any underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure under control
- By taking care of these things in advance, you can help ensure that your surgery goes smoothly and that you have a successful recovery. You must realize that this is a crucial time for you and your caregiver to get to know everything about the surgery and what the recovery process will entail.
How Is Arthroscopic Surgery Done?
Arthroscopy, which is also referred to as arthroscopic surgery, is a simple surgical procedure predominantly performed to diagnose and treat various issues concerning the joints. During the procedure, a surgeon will make a small incision—no larger than a buttonhole—and insert a narrow tube that is attached to a fiber-optic video camera.
This video camera will provide a clear view of the inside of the joint, which will be transmitted onto a high-definition video monitor. In other words, this surgical procedure involves a surgeon inserting a small camera into your joint space in order to visualize the structures within it without having to make a large incision.In some cases, surgeons may even be able to repair damage to the structures within the joint during the same procedure. This is done by using very thin surgical instruments. These instruments are usually inserted through some additional small incisions.
Before the Procedure
Before you have arthroscopy, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any and all medications you are taking—this includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements.You may need to discontinue use of certain medications (such as blood thinners) prior to surgery, so it is important that your doctor is aware of everything you are putting into your body. Aside from that, your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on when you should stop eating any food and drinking any fluids the night before your procedure.
During the Procedure
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical procedure used to treat joint conditions. In arthroscopic surgery, a narrow tube called an arthroscope, which is attached to a fiber-optic video camera, is inserted into the patient's joint through a small incision.
The video images from the camera are projected onto a television monitor in the operating room, providing the surgeon with a clear view of the inside of the joint. The surgeon can then use special instruments to remove damaged tissue, such as a torn meniscus, or to inject medicine into the joint to repair or replace injured tissue.
After the Procedure
As we already know, arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive kind of operation that involves the use of a tiny camera and surgical instruments. The surgical procedure is usually quick; for instance, arthroscopy of the knee can take about an hour to conclude. After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room to rest for a few hours before you can go home.
Aftercare may include the following steps:
- Medications: Your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe certain medications to relieve postoperative pain, inflammation, or discomfort.
- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (or RICE): You may be required to rest, ice, compress, and elevate the joint at home for several days in order to reduce swelling and pain.
- Protection: You might be advised to use temporary slings, crutches, or splints for protection and comfort.
- Exercise: Your doctor may give you exercises to do at home to help improve your range of motion and strength.
How Much Does Arthroscopic Surgery Cost?
Arthroscopic surgery costs in India can range from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,00,000. However, this cost is merely for reference purposes and should not be considered a standard cost. The best way to get an accurate estimate of the cost of arthroscopic surgery (in India) is to get in touch with our team of experts. We will be able to give you a more precise quote based on your individual case.
What to Do After Arthroscopic Surgery?
These are a few things you should do in the initial days following your surgical procedure:
- Stay off your feet: Avoid putting any weight on your knee for several days. You may require some kind of support, such as crutches or a walker, to help you move or get around.
- Elevate your knee: You may need to rest with your leg elevated in order to reduce postoperative swelling and discomfort.
- Use pain medication as directed: Your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe some over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or certain pain medications. Keep in mind that it is important to follow your doctor's instructions at the time of taking any pain medication after the procedure. You may also require some prescription drugs to prevent blood clots or reduce swelling.
- Keep your incisions clean and covered: You must make sure that the bandage stays on your knee even after you reach home, and the area of incision should always be kept clean. Ask your doctor when the dressing can be removed or when you can take a shower or bathe after the procedure.
What to Eat After Arthroscopic Surgery?
The speed and effectiveness of your recovery after orthopedic surgery are largely determined by your diet. It is very important to keep your body fueled with ample calories after surgery in order to help with the recovery process. Not only does a patient's body need more calories to recover from surgery, but the procedure also results in a stress reaction in their body that boosts the metabolism and escalates the need for calories.
If you fail to fuel your recovery with the proper nutritious foods that are required by your body after the procedure, complications are more likely to arise. So, make sure you are eating healthy foods and getting enough rest to help your body recover from surgery. If you're wondering what foods can help you recover more quickly after surgery, read on for some great recommendations:
- Protein is one of the most essential nutrients that predominantly helps a person's body maintain and repair itself after surgery. Some good sources of protein include dairy products, soy, eggs, beans, cottage cheese, fish, meat, poultry, and nuts.
- Vitamin C is essential for your body to create collagen—something that is necessary for the healing process as it helps to create healthy connective tissue. To make sure you're getting enough vitamin C, eat citrus fruits, vegetables, berries, and potatoes on a regular basis.
- Who does not know that our bodies need ample calcium in order to have strong bones? Cheese, dairy-like milk, and yogurt are often the very first calcium sources that we think of. However, there are other sources of calcium that are just as effective, such as kale, spinach, and chia seeds, among others.
- Vitamin D essentially helps our bodies absorb the required amount of calcium from the food we eat. It can mainly be found in items such as almond milk, cheese, yogurt, orange juice, etc.
Is Arthroscopic Surgery Safe?
Arthroscopy is a safe procedure that comes with very rare complications. However, there can be a small number of risks involved in this procedure, as with any other surgery.
Complications are quite uncommon, but they may include nerve or tissue damage. In some rare cases, the movement and placement of (surgical) instruments within the joint can also cause damage to the joint's structures.
Is Arthroscopic Surgery Painful?
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses very small incisions to repair damage within the joints. This type of surgery usually allows patients to quickly resume their everyday activities with minimal (or no) scarring, discomfort, and pain.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Arthroscopic Surgery?
Recovering fully from an arthroscopy can take anywhere from one week to several months, depending on a number of factors. These factors can include which joint was affected—for instance, knee arthroscopies tend to have a longer recovery period than other arthroscopies.
What Are the Side Effects of Arthroscopic Surgery?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Surrounding tissue damage
However, it is important to keep in mind that all of the potential side effects listed above can be significantly reduced or even completely avoided if the surgery is performed by experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the ones available at Pristyn Care.
Arthroscopic Surgery Aftercare:
It is very important to keep your wound dry for the first 48 hours after surgery. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, on the fifth day after surgery, you can expose your wound to water in the shower, but take care not to scrub the area. Also, you must keep in mind that you should not submerge your wound in a bathtub or pool until three weeks after surgery.
Conclusion:
Arthroscopy is performed through several small incisions in the skin, so you can recover faster from the surgery. Since there are no large incisions, you will experience less pain, less blood loss, and a faster recovery. This surgery is beneficial for people who have chronic joint pain, arthritis, injuries, and certain other problems.
Furthermore, we hope that you find this article informative and useful. For more accurate and precise information, please do not hesitate to contact us any day at any time. Thank you for spending your valuable time reading this exclusive write-up!
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