Arthroscopy – A Minimally Invasive Procedure

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows your surgeon to view the inside of your knee, shoulder, elbow or wrist joint. This can help them diagnose and treat various conditions.

The procedure is usually carried out under general, spinal or local anaesthetic. A small incision (about the size of a buttonhole) is made to insert the arthroscope.

Anesthesia

Anesthesia is the medical care that ensures you’re safe during surgery. The types of anesthesia used depend on the type of procedure you’re having. Usually, an anesthesiologist is part of your surgical team and will oversee your anesthesia, monitor you during the procedure, and ensure you’re recovering as quickly as possible after surgery.

General anesthesia – This is a common type of anesthesia that involves injecting medicine into your brain or spinal cord. It will help you sleep during your procedure and may be the best option if you have certain medical conditions, such as asthma or a history of seizures.

You’ll have a nurse place an intravenous (IV) catheter in your hand or forearm and inject a mild sedative. Then, a local anesthetic will be injected below your skin to numb the area you’ll be operating on.

Your anesthesiologist will explain the procedure to you and ask if there are any medications that you’re taking that could cause an allergic reaction. You’ll also need to stop eating and drinking before your surgery.

Patients with certain conditions may need to use a special anesthetic called local anesthesia, which numbs only a small area of your body, such as your knee. This anesthetic can be a good choice if you’re having a joint replacement or other surgical procedure that will involve removing a large amount of tissue.

Another type of anesthesia is spinal anesthesia, which numbs your bottom half but leaves you awake. This is commonly used for arthroscopic surgery because it’s less invasive and more effective than general anesthesia.

The best type of anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery depends on the needs of your patient and the surgeon. Some anesthesiologists recommend regional anesthesia, which is a method of injecting numbing medicine into a space between two of your spine’s lumbar vertebrae.

Several studies have found that local anesthesia is effective, safe, practical and accepted by patients for diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopic knee surgery. This type of anesthesia can reduce the time you spend in the hospital and post-anesthetic recovery, and can result in less pain and a faster return to work.

Incisions

When using an arthroscope, small incisions are made to insert the camera and other tools that examine and treat the joint. This procedure is called arthroscopy, or “keyhole surgery.” It’s a safe and effective way to diagnose and treat arthritis, injuries, and other problems that affect joints, tendons and ligaments.

Before the operation, you may receive general or regional anesthesia. You will be numbed so you don’t feel pain, but your arm and shoulder area may still feel some sensations like tugging or pressure as the surgeon works on the joint.

Once you are under anesthesia, the skin over the surgical site is cleaned with antiseptic solution. Next, your surgeon will make a few small incisions, called portals, in your knee to let him see the structures inside of your joint. He will fill your knee with sterile fluid, which helps to expand the joint so he can better see it.

Then he will insert the arthroscope, which is a pencil-sized camera, into your knee through these portals. The light from the camera is transmitted through fiber optics to Arthroscope a monitor on the operating table. This allows the surgeon to see an image of the inside of your knee on a screen.

He can then use the images on the screen to guide his instruments. He can also remove damaged tissue and perform other procedures.

Depending on the type of procedure, you may need some rest and physical therapy after the operation to reduce swelling and improve mobility. Your doctor will tell you how to care for the incision and what activities to avoid, so your recovery can be as quick as possible.

After arthroscopy, you can usually return to your usual daily activities. However, you should be careful and follow your doctor’s advice about taking a pain reliever to help with soreness.

If you have a large incision, you may be told to wear special bands to hold your leg in place while you are recovering. These can help prevent blood clots and decrease pain and swelling.

After the procedure, you can usually get up and walk within a few hours. You can also begin exercises to strengthen your muscles, which will speed up recovery and help you avoid future injuries.

Procedure

Arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that helps healthcare providers diagnose and treat joint problems. It involves using a small tube with a camera on it that can see inside the joint, as well as specialized surgical tools that are inserted through tiny “keyhole” incisions to access the joint and perform procedures.

This procedure is usually performed under a general anesthetic in a hospital or a surgical center, although it can also be done in a doctor’s office with local or spinal anesthesia. It is a safe, effective way to assess and treat a wide range of conditions, including arthritis and other disorders that can cause pain in the joints.

A telescopic instrument called an arthroscope (as narrow as a pencil) is inserted into the joint through a small incision, and a camera connected to a monitor is positioned to view the inside of the joint. The image is transmitted through fiber optics to a screen where the surgeon can review it and make the necessary adjustments.

The surgeon may also use other small grasping, probing, and cutting tools to help with the diagnosis or corrective procedure. These tools may cause small puncture wounds to the surrounding tissue, which will take several days to weeks to heal.

Depending on the condition and its severity, recovery times after arthroscopic surgery can be shorter than those of open surgeries. However, you should expect to have pain and stiffness in the joints for several days or weeks after the procedure. You should also take care to follow the advice given by your doctor or therapist.

For example, you might be prescribed medication to ease swelling and bruising. You may also need physical therapy to help you regain mobility and strength in the area affected by your injury.

Before having an arthroscopic procedure, you will need to take a thorough medical history and complete a physical examination. You will be asked to sign a consent form before the operation, which states that you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure and agree to have it performed.

Recovery

Knee arthroscopy is an advanced surgical technique that allows your doctor to diagnose and treat joint problems by using an arthroscope, a small tube with a camera on the end. This camera lets your surgeon see the inside of your knee on a video monitor. This helps your doctor determine if you have arthritis, a torn meniscus, or other knee injury.

Your doctor will make a small incision (cut) in your knee and insert the arthroscope through it. The camera will be positioned in your knee so that images of the inside of your knee will appear on the video monitor.

The camera will show your doctor images of the damaged tissues and bones in your knee, including tendons, ligaments, cartilage and the meniscus (a rubbery tissue that sits in the middle of the knee joint). This information can help your doctor diagnose an injury and plan the best treatment option.

You will usually be given a general anesthetic so that you will be asleep during the procedure. You will be put in a ward and monitored closely until you are awake.

To prepare your knee for surgery, your doctor will use sterile irrigation fluid Arthroscope to distend your joint and create a space that is appropriate for the arthroscopic instruments. After this, your doctor will make a few small incisions called portals in your knee to insert the arthroscope and surgical instruments.

During the operation, your doctor will use the arthroscope and other tools to examine your knee and to repair or remove injuries in the area. Your doctor may shave off a section of bone, remove cartilage from your joint, or suture (stitch) damaged tissue to restore function and reduce pain.

After your procedure, your doctor will use a special device to close the incisions and wrap your knee in a bandage or dressing. Your doctor will also give you a prescription for pain medication to manage your symptoms.

Recovery after arthroscopic surgery can vary depending on the type of surgery you have and your overall health. Most people feel better after a few days, though you may not recover completely until several months later.