A relatively new surgical alternative to traditional open surgery is arthroscopic surgery. With arthroscopic surgery, diagnosis and treatment can occur in a single procedure. Small incisions are made and long, pencil-shaped instruments are introduced into the damaged joint. One of these tools is a tiny camera that projects images of the joint through fiber optics onto a monitor. This allows the physician to manipulate other instruments to perform the surgery. There are many benefits to arthroscopic surgery over traditional (open) surgery, including:

• Shorter recovery times
• Minimal scarring
• Diagnosis can be more accurate than traditional surgery or X-ray studies
• Generally less pain

Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can be home on the same day.  Patients generally return to work and their regular daily activities earlier than with other techniques.

Arthroscopic surgery is now used for many joints including shoulders, knees, ankles and wrists; however, the knee joint is the most common. Arthroscopic surgery is performed either to see if something is wrong, or to repair a problem found in a joint. The most common reasons why patients have arthroscopic surgery are:

• A suspected tear in cartilage or a ligament in a joint
• A known tear in the cartilage or a ligament, which can be repaired at the time of the arthroscopy
• Evaluation of severe pain which is not responding to treatment
• A need to identify and remove small pieces of bone or debris in a joint
• Repair of a rotator cuff tear

Arthroscopic surgery is usually performed as an outpatient. Our ambulatory surgery center, EWASC, performs hundreds of these procedures annually.  The recovery time depends on the procedure done. The recovery is faster than it would have been if an incision were made which opens the joint. If a repair is done through an arthroscope you may need physical therapy to get your knee or other joint strong again.

Not every orthopedic surgeon has the training and expertise to perform arthroscopic surgery. At Northeast Orthopaedics, we specialize in arthroscopic procedures. If you have a damaged shoulder, knee, or wrist and are considering your treatment options, we encourage you to visit us so we can evaluate your condition and your potential candidacy for arthroscopic treatment. We treat patients both locally and globally.

Not everyone is a candidate for arthroscopic surgery, but we believe that patients should be well informed of all treatment options in order to make an informed decision. Contact us at 453-9088 today for an evaluation to determine if arthroscopic surgery may be appropriate for you.