Arthroscopy: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Arthroscopy is a method to check an individual’s joint using a small camera, via the bloodstream.This insertion can be made through a minimal hole in the skin that allows the chip sized camera to show a detailed and clear view of the affected joint in the body.

The arthroscope is fitted to a miniature television camera, that emits a light throughout the bloodstream and enables the doctor to view every ligament and joint in the body. The doctor can further detect the adversity of the injury and can accurately diagnose the treatment. This method is considered to be very accurate and trusted for its minimal invasion and almost nil side effects.

This method is more effective than X-rays or open end surgeries. An arthroscopy helps to detect inflammations or damage caused by a long term disease or illness.

It can be performed using general, regional, spinal or local anaesthetic. There is not one, but several incisions made in the skin, approximately about 1/4th inch long on either side of the affected joint.

Local tissues as well as foreign objects like needles or thorns that are lodged inside any joint in the body can be examined and treated via arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy is basically an outpatient procedure. An intravenous line is formed that would establish the administration of fluids and other medications like anaesthesia.

An incision is then made into the joint and is followed by the insertion of the arthroscope to examine that joint. Other instruments can also be inserted through the incisions to maneuver the tissues and cut, repair or sew damaged ones if necessary.

The incisions are closed after the surgery and properly bandaged with a safe and easy dressing.

The risks or complications to arthroscopy are usually uncommon. However, they can occur during the procedure. Infection, blood clots, swelling, bleeding, damage to the blood vessels and other symptoms can occur during arthroscopy.

These risks or side effects generally happen to 1% of the population and hence should not be taken into wide consideration as they are a rare happening. Most arthroscopic procedures occur smoothly.

Arthroscopy takes about 3 or 4 weeks to fully recover.

The price of arthroscopy in India ranges from Rs. 75, 000 to Rs. 2 lakhs.

Arthroscopy is a procedure to check the joint for pain or damage. It further leads to a diagnosis which would be ideal to treat the joint and is, in most cases, a permanent fix for the patient.