When joint pain, stiffness, or swelling start disrupting your normal life, you may feel that surgery is inevitable. While joint replacement may be the only option in advanced scenarios, in some cases, arthroscopy – a minimally invasive procedure – can prove to be an effective solution.
In this blog, we’re going to explore what arthroscopy is, how it works, its benefits, and what you can expect during recovery after an arthroscopic procedure.
What Is Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a keyhole surgical procedure that utilises a fiber-optic camera to detect and treat joint issues. Over time, the procedure grew from a simple diagnostic tool to a sophisticated treatment method.
Arthroscopy surgeons insert a narrow fibre-optic tube that has a light and a camera through a buttonhole-sized incision. A video monitor attached to the camera shows the inside of the joint in real-time mode.
With arthroscopy, the surgeon can see as well as repair certain kinds of joint damage using pencil-sized instruments that are inserted through a few more tiny incisions.
Since only narrow instruments are used, arthroscopy requires much smaller incisions than traditional “open” surgery. For patients, it means less damage to surrounding tissue, reduced scarring, and a faster recovery.
Arthroscopy can be used to repair many joints – the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, wrist, and elbow – to treat a variety of conditions.
Types of Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is generally recommended when conservative, non-surgical treatments, like rest, physical therapy, medications, injections, etc., fail to give relief.
- Knee arthroscopy
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Hip arthroscopy
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Elbow arthroscopy
- Wrist arthroscopy
Your orthopaedic doctor may also advise arthroscopy when imaging tests and clinical evaluation indicate a structural problem in the joint that needs correction. Common issues that can be treated with arthroscopy include:
- Joint instability (knee, ankle)
- Cartilage tears (meniscus or tears)
- Joint impingement (ankle, hip, or shoulder impingement)
- Ligament tears (knee ligament tears, ankle sprains, wrist sprains)
- Nerve compression syndromes (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Synovitis (early stage of rheumatoid arthritis)
Arthroscopy can prove effective in cases with limited damage. However, in advanced joint degeneration or severe arthritis, joint replacement or other open procedures may be necessary.
How the Procedure Works
Arthroscopy helps with diagnosis as well as treatment. Arthroscopy surgeons can detect joint damage without major surgery and fix several issues using pencil-thin tools. Here are the steps:
1. Preoperative Preparation
Tests are conducted, such as blood tests, imaging. Your arthroscopy surgeon will also instruct you about fasting before surgery and medications to pause (e.g., blood-thinners).
2. Anaesthesia
Since the procedure involves minor incisions, it is done under anaesthesia. You will get general, local, or spinal anaesthesia, as per your joint or suspected problem.
3. Incisions
Two or more small incisions (often 4-6 mm each) are made for inserting the arthroscope and pencil-sized instruments.
4. Joint Inspection
Fibre optics enables the surgeon to see the inside of the joint by lighting it up. And the camera transmits larger images on the video monitor. The surgeon can view and inspect the internal structures (cartilage, ligaments, etc.). For example, during arthroscopy for the knee joint, they can see under the kneecap and also check important ligaments. This helps them detect the precise type and size of the injury.
5. Treatment
If any repair is required, it is done using special tiny tools that are inserted through other incisions.
6. Closure and Dressing
Once the tools are taken out, incisions are closed with a stitch or steri-strip. After this, dressing of the joint is done, and it is bandaged.
7. Postoperative Care
Arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure. It means after brief monitoring, you can go home.
Note: The duration of the procedure depends on the complexity. Simple diagnostic arthroscopy may be quick, while repairs can take up to 90 minutes or more.
Benefits of Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy offers several advantages over open joint surgery. Here are the most significant ones:
- Minimally invasive approach
- Saving of surrounding healthy tissues
- Faster healing as wounds are smaller
- Less bleeding
- Less post-op pain
- Fewer pain medications
- Lower risk of infection and complications
- Same-day discharge, as most arthroscopies are outpatient procedures
- Earlier return to daily activities in just days or a few weeks
- Minimal scarring
- Makes diagnosis and treatment possible in one procedure
- Costs much less than open joint surgery
Recovery Time and Rehabilitation
Recovery time after arthroscopy depends on which joint is operated on, the complexity of the surgery (for instance, simple trimming vs. ligament repair), and the overall health of the patient.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial days after surgery: You will be required to rest, ice, and elevate the operated joint. You will also be prescribed some medications for mild pain management. You can begin light movement (as directed by your doctor) with the help of crutches or additional support, if you have been advised against bearing too much weight.
- Week 1 to 6: You can gradually begin to increase movement, regain mobility, and flexibility with the help of guided physical therapy. Many patients return to normal activities within the first few weeks of their surgery.
- Week 4 to 6: You will be able to perform heavier activities, which require more joint movement. By this time, you are likely to have recovered well.
Why Choose Arthroscopy at Sohana Hospital?
Sohana Hospital offers the most comprehensive orthopaedic care in the tricity! Our expert team of skilled specialists makes use of state-of-the-art technology for arthroscopic treatments. We prioritise:
- Precise diagnosis via imaging and clinical evaluation
- Personalised treatment plans
- Minimally invasive procedure with modern equipment
- Pain management and early mobilisation
- Rehabilitation support via physical therapy
- Thorough monitoring & follow-ups
If you are dealing with knee pain or pain in any other joint, and non-invasive treatments have not proved effective, arthroscopy may be a worth considering minimally invasive option. We advise you to consult trusted orthopaedic specialists at Sohana Hospital. Get a thorough assessment of the affected joint from the best orthopedic doctor in Chandigarh and discuss whether arthroscopy would be the right solution for your condition.
FAQs
When to contact a doctor after arthroscopy?
Just keep a watch on your recovery after arthroscopy. Reach out to your doctor if you notice any of the following signs:
- You have a fever of more than 38.3°C/101°F
- Pus forms at the surgical site
- Redness beyond the incision area
- Sudden numbing or tingling at the wound site
- Pain in the back of knee, thigh, calf, or groin (potential signs of blood clots)
How is arthroscopy better than conventional surgery?
Arthroscopy offers multiple advantages over traditional surgeries. The benefits include:
- Smaller incisions
- Nominal pain
- Faster healing
- Reduced risk of infection
- Faster recovery
Arthroscopy offers several advantages, including smaller incisions, faster healing, less pain, reduced risk of infection, and quicker recovery times. Most arthroscopic procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day.
Which joints can be treated with arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopy is primarily used to treat knee and shoulder joints. However, the technique is also used to treat the wrist, hip, ankle, elbow, and lesser common areas like the jaw and spine. Over the years, the technique has expanded to effectively treat joint problems throughout the body.
How long does recovery take after arthroscopy?
Recovery time depends on the joint involved and the complexity of the procedure. Most patients are able to get back to light activities within a few days. However, in cases where the procedure was complex, full recovery may take a few weeks.