About arthroscopy
Arthroscopic
surgery
Recovery after arthroscopy
Possible complications
About
arthroscopy
The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words,
"arthro" (joint) and "skopein" (to look). The term literally means "to
look within the joint." A small incision is made in the patient's skin
and the arthroscope, an instrument like a small telescope, is inserted
into the joint. Light is transmitted through fibre optic cables to the
end of the arthroscope, and the instrument is attached to a video monitor.
Arthroscopy allows direct visualisation of the cartilages,
the ligaments and the joint surfaces. Surgical procedures can be carried
out via small incisions around the joint. Arthroscopy is most commonly
performed on the knee joint, but is also used for shoulders, ankles, elbows,
hips and other joints.
Some of the most frequent conditions found during
arthroscopic examinations of joints are:
In the knee:
In the shoulder:
In any joint:
Arthroscopic
surgery
Arthroscopic surgery may be performed under general,
spinal or local anaesthetic, depending on the joint or suspected problem.
A small incision (about 1cm long) is made to insert
the arthroscope. Several other incisions may be made to see other parts
of the joint or insert other instruments.
When indicated, corrective surgery is performed with
specially-designed instruments that are inserted into the joint through
these other incisions.
Some of the procedures that may be performed arthroscopically
include:
Postoperatively, the small incisions are covered
with a dressing.
Postoperative pain and recovery depend on the problems
for which arthroscopy is performed and the length and type of surgery involved.
Many arthoscopic procedures can be performed as "day cases", with the patient
being discharged the same day after a suitable recovery period.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be required
following some procedures (e.g. cruciate ligament reconstruction)
Possible
complications
Although uncommon (less of 1% of all arthroscopic
procedures), complications occasionally occur during or following arthroscopy.
They include;