an overview about arthroscopic surgery

         The arthroscopic surgery is the minimally invasive procedure which is a recent technique to treat many injuries and defect in the bone joint.




The technique of examining the joint by using a 4mm diameter telescope called arthroscope. By making small skin puncture and introducing many small instruments like arthroscope, light source, fibre-optic and other surgical micro-instruments to correct the injury or disease causing defects in the joint is called arthroscopic surgery.


ADVANTAGES:

  •  operation without cut opening the joint.
  •  small visible scars.
  •  short duration physiotherapy.
  •  best diagnostic tool to examine the joint movement and its anatomical structures.
  •  movement of joints during operation is possible.
  •  detecting new abnormal movements of joint.
  •  studying the changes of the artificial ligament which is implanted.
Joints which is operated by arthroscopic surgery:
  •  knee joint - knee arthroscopy is done under general or spinal anaesthesia. The common portal used is the anterolateral portal.

  •  shoulder joint - The common portal used is the posterior portal.

  •  ankle joint
  •  elbow joint
  •  wrist joint
         The arthroscopic surgery is not beneficial in advanced cases of osteoarthritis.

DISADVANTAGES:
  •  Instruments are expensive.
  •  needs trained an orthopaedic surgeon.
  •  hard movements may cause damage to the intraarticular structures.

*Reference - Maheshwari and Mhaskar (Jaypee).

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