Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery

What is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery, also known as arthroscopy, is a surgical procedure to visualise, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint using a specialised instrument known as an arthroscope.

An arthroscope is a flexible fibreoptic tube that contains a small lens or camera and a lighting system to magnify and illuminate structures inside a joint. The camera attached to the arthroscope shows an image of the joint on a television screen allowing the surgeon to examine the affected joint or areas such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, and perform the repair.

Different Types of Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery can be performed on any joint. Shoulder and knee arthroscopy are the most common arthroscopic procedures conducted for repairing meniscus and cartilage problems and fixing rotator cuff tears respectively. Some of the common types of arthroscopic surgery include:

Shoulder arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy
Hip arthroscopy
Wrist arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy

Indications for Arthroscopic Surgery

In general, arthroscopic surgery is conducted to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. Arthroscopic surgery is commonly indicated for:

Articular cartilage defects and injuries
Joint debridement and washout for osteoarthritis
Removal of loose bodies
Synovectomy
Meniscal tears
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears
Arthroscopic-assisted fixation of tibial plateau fractures
Evaluation of joints prior to joint replacement

Preparation for Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery preparation depends on the joint being examined or repaired by your surgeon. However, in general, you are required to:

Avoid taking certain medications or supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medications or anaesthesia
Avoid consuming liquids or solid foods 6 to 8 hours before surgery
Wear comfortable clothing to get on and off easily
Bring assistive devices, such as a walker, cane, or crutches
Arrange for a ride as you will not be able to drive back yourself

Arthroscopic Surgery Procedure

The surgery is performed under general or local anaesthesia. After adequately sterilising the surgical area, your surgeon makes a few small keyhole incisions through which the arthroscope and tiny specialised instruments are inserted. The joints are irrigated with water to clear debris and aid in visibility. The camera attached to the tip of the arthroscope allows the doctor to view the structures inside the joint through a television screen, and the damaged structures are repaired. The instruments and arthroscope are then withdrawn, and the surgical incisions are closed with sterile dressings or sutures.

Postoperative Care of Arthroscopic Surgery

Before being discharged, your doctor or nurse will give you appropriate postop instructions, such as:

How to care your incisions and dressing
Exercises you should do
What activities you must avoid
Use of assistive devices like a sling, splint, or crutches
Use of pain medications
Rehabilitation program for a quicker recovery
Follow-up visit to remove dressings or sutures and monitor your overall progress

Risks and Complications of Arthroscopic Surgery

The risks and complications of an arthroscopic procedure are minimal and occur in less than one per cent of all arthroscopic surgeries. Some of the possible risks and complications of arthroscopic surgery include:

Infection
Swelling or bleeding
Blood clots
Damage to nerves or blood vessels
Instrument breakage
Anaesthetic problems