ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside the joint. During arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. This allows the surgeon to see the interior of the joint, displayed on a television screen. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem.
CONDITIONS TREATED WITH ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY INCLUDE:
-
Meniscal (knee cartilage) tears
-
Carpal tunnel
-
Arthritis
-
Loose bodies of bone and/or cartilage
-
Ligament tears
The amount of surgery required and recovery time will depend on the complexity of the problem. Occasionally, during the arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon may discover that the injury or disease cannot be treated adequately with arthroscopy alone. In these cases, a larger incision is made and a more extensive, or "open" surgery may be performed.