Benefits of Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure during which the internal structure of a joint is examined for diagnosis and treatment of problems inside the joint. In arthroscopic examination, a small incision is made in the patient’s skin through which pencil-sized instruments that have a small lens and lighting system (arthroscope) are passed. Arthroscope magnifies and illuminates the structures of the joint with the light that is transmitted through fiber optics. It is attached to a television camera and the interior of the joint is seen on the television monitor.

Arthroscopic examination of joints is helpful in diagnosis and treatment of the following conditions:

• Inflammation: Synovitis, the inflammation of the lining of the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or ankle
• Acute or chronic injury: Injuries to the shoulder, knee and wrist joint such as cartilage tears, tendon tears, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Osteoarthritis: A type of arthritis caused by cartilage loss in a joint
• Removal of loose bodies of bone or cartilage that becomes logged within the joint

The advantages of arthroscopic surgery include:

• Smaller incisions
• Minimal soft tissue trauma
• Less pain and scars
• Lower infection rate
• Faster healing time
• Earlier mobilization
• Shorter hospital stay