Orthopedics- Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is an orthopedic procedure that is used to diagnose and treat joint problems. The word arthroscopy has been derived from the Greek words ‘arthro’, which means ‘joint’ and ‘skopein,’ which means ‘to look into.’ It is a minor surgery done on an outpatient basis and does not require hospital admission. Find the top orthopedic hospital in Chennai for an arthroscopy procedure.
About Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy can be performed on many joints of the body, including your knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, or wrist. During an arthroscopy procedure, the orthopedic surgeon inserts an arthroscope into the joint via a small cut in the skin. The arthroscopy has a camera at its tip that enables the orthopedic surgeon to visualize the joint better. Apart from diagnosis, an arthroscopy procedure is also used to repair joint tissues.
Who Qualifies for an Arthroscopy?
Before you begin looking for the best orthopedic hospitals in Alwarpet, Chennai, you must know who is the best candidate for this procedure for an arthroscopy. If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend an arthroscopy:
- Recurrent knee or shoulder pain
- Ankle pain
- Stiffness in the joints
- Swelling
- Limited range of joint movement
- Instability or feeling weak in the joints
- Clicking sound or frequent catch in the joints
- Presence of joint symptoms that do not respond to physiotherapy or the routine Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation therapy.
Why Is Arthroscopy Conducted?
The joints in your body are made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Inflammation and injury can impact one or more of these joint components, and an arthroscopy helps the surgeon determine the condition of these structures. The standard conditions for which the best orthopedic surgeon in Chennai perform an arthroscopy are:
- Injury
Acute or chronic injuries to the following structure usually require an arthroscopy:- Tear in the rotator cuff tendons
- Repeated or recurrent shoulder dislocation
- Shoulder impingement
- Tear in the knee cartilage or meniscus
- Chondromalacia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist
- Anterior cruciate ligament tear with associated instability in the knees
- Presence of loose bodies of bone or cartilage in the joints.
- Dislocated knee cap (or patella)
- Swollen lining of a joint
- Inflammation
Any inflammation in the joints of the body such as the knees, hips, shoulder, elbow, wrist requires further diagnosis using an arthroscopy.
Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.
Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.
Different Types of Arthroscopy
Based on the area of surgery, AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) classified arthroscopy procedures into:
- Knee arthroscopy
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Hip arthroscopy
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Elbow arthroscopy
- Wrist arthroscopy
Benefits of an Arthroscopy Procedure
There are many benefits of arthroscopy over conventional surgical procedures used to diagnose and repair joint issues. These include:
- Lesser tissue damage
- Small wound, therefore quicker healing time
- Fewer stitches
- Less postoperative pain
- Reduces risk of infection due to the more minor cut made in the skin
Risks or Complications of an Arthroscopy Procedure
There is always some amount of risk associated with surgical procedures. Arthroscopy is considered to be a safe procedure and rarely has any complications. However, some risks that may occur include:
- Infection: Any invasive surgery carries some amount, albeit minor in this case, of infection risk with it.
- Swelling and bleeding: Excessive swelling around the surgical site and bleeding may occur following an arthroscopy procedure.
- Blood clot formation: Following an arthroscopy procedure, blood clots may form in the veins causing Deep Vein Thrombosis.
- Tissue damage: During the procedure, damage to surrounding tissues, blood vessels, or nerves may occur.
Arthroscopy is a popular orthopedic procedure performed for joint issues. This surgery is routinely performed in some of the best orthopedic hospitals in Alwarpet. If you are suffering from recurrent joint issues, consult with the best orthopedic surgeon in Chennai right away!
An arthroscopy procedure is performed as day surgery and on an outpatient basis. You will not need hospital admission for an arthroscopy.
An arthroscopy procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia to numb the area being operated upon. So, during the procedure, you will not feel any pain. In cases where both knees need to be operated upon, regional anesthesia is given for pain control during the procedure. For comfortable healing, your surgeon will prescribe OTC pain relief medication.
The recovery times after an arthroscopy procedure varies from person to person; however, they are way shorter than open surgery. You can return to light activities within 1 to 3 weeks after an arthroscopy procedure and resume normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks post-surgery.