When should you have arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery performed for several reasons. Some of the most common include repair of a meniscus tear, a rotator cuff tear, and cartilage damage (e.g., chondral arthropathy). Below is the list of some of the most common procedures that may benefit from arthroscopic surgery.
How do they do Arthroscopic Surgery Procedure?
Arthroscopic surgical procedure is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed under general or local anesthesia on small and large joints such as knees, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. The arthroscope has a camera at the tip, which the surgeon inserts into the joint to get a better look at the internal structures and find problems. In this process, the damaged structures are repaired with small instruments inserted through different small incisions.
What care is necessary after an arthroscopy surgery?
After undergoing arthroscopy surgery, your doctor will furnish you with precise guidelines for post-operative care. Normally, patients spend 1 to 4 days in the hospital and an additional 1 to 2 weeks at home for recovery. Throughout this period, your surgeon will provide instructions on the correct management of your surgical incisions, prescribe pain medication, and offer recommendations for tailored physical therapy. Following these guidelines diligently ensures a smoother and more effective recovery process.
- Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
- You may need to wear a sling or splint for several weeks.
- Your doctor might also order you to take medications to help with pain, swelling and/or healing.
- Rehabilitation therapy for a quicker recovery
What are the risks & complications?
Arthroscopic surgery is a safe procedure performed routinely, with complications occurring in less than 1% of all procedures. The possible risks and complications of arthroscopic surgery are:
- Infection
- Artery damage
- Swelling & bleeding
- Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
- Nerve damage.
- Numbness at the incision sites
- Thrombophlebitis (clots in a vein)
What are some advantages of arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a procedure that has been proven to be more effective than open surgeries. The benefits of arthroscopic procedures include:
- Smaller incisions
- Less scarring
- Faster healing compared to traditional surgery
- Less swelling and infection rate
- Less damage to surrounding tissues
- Quicker recovery time