We got the basic information about arthroscopy in the previous blog. Earlier arthroscopy is widely used for athletes as they face several injuries. But today, arthroscopy is used to treat non-athletes as well. Almost 80% of orthopaedic surgeons practice arthroscopy on their patients. They find arthroscopy valuable because it is generally easier than open surgery and recovers quickly. Here are some of the most common knee, shoulder and ankle problems that may benefit from arthroscopic surgery-

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Here are some of the most common problems that can be treated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery include:

  •       Restricted Motion (Impingement syndrome) from a bone spur called the acromion
  •       Ligament Tear
  •       Inflamed tissue above the shoulder joint
  •       Torn cartilage lining the shoulder joint (labrum), which leads to shoulder instability
  •       A labrum tear on the lower part of the shoulder joint
  •       A tear affecting the labrum and a ligament on the top of the shoulder joint
  •       Biceps tendon tears
  •       Inflammation in the lining of the joint
  •       Arthritis of the collarbone (clavicle)

The surgeon may bring the edges of a torn tendon together, then attach the tendon to the bone with sutures or metal or plastic rivets which depend on the injury. Surgery may also require inflamed tissue or cutting a ligament or cleaning out or removing the damage. Most patients go home the same day and take a few weeks to a few months to heal and recovery time varies according to patients. The patient may need to apply ice, take pain medication, and wear a sling while rehabilitating the shoulder. The orthopaedic surgeon may recommend physical therapy to help strengthen the shoulder joint and restore range of motion.

Knee Arthroscopy

It is one of the most common knee surgeries orthopaedists perform. Frequently seen arthroscopic repairs to the knee include:

  •       Fractures
  •       Torn anterior or posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL or PCL) 
  •       Dislocated of knee cap (patella)
  •       Torn meniscus (the cartilage between the bones in the knee)

Using arthroscopy, the surgeon will repair these issues with surgical techniques like suturing, repositioning bones, or inserting pins or rivets. Arthroscopy can be used to extract tissue or bone that may be impinging on your movement or causing pain and sometimes removal of tissue may also be necessary.

Ankle Arthroscopy

This surgery can be very effective in repairing and treating problems in the ankle. Frequently performed arthroscopic repairs to the ankle include:

  • Ankle fusion for end-stage arthritis
  • Fracture repair and proper bone and cartilage alignment after a break
  • Tightening of ligaments to treat ankle instability
  • Treatment of osteochondral defects (OCDs) caused by fractures or sprains

Depending on the ankle injury or problem, an orthopaedist may need to wash out the joint or shave away excess bone or remove tissue. Sometimes, ankle fractures may require a combination of arthroscopic and open surgery. Most patients go the same day and full recovery of the ankle joint may take a few weeks to a few months. If the injury cannot bear weight, a patient may need to use crutches while healing. Also, a brace or walking boot may be necessary in some cases. Doctors may recommend physical therapy.

This is the general information about Types of Arthroscopy. We recommend you to visit a doctor for proper guidance. We hope this information adds value to your knowledge. Watch out this space for more such information. Greetings for SYS Medtech International PVT. LTD.