Arthroscopy is an advanced procedure widely used in orthopedic medicine to view the inside of the joints. This procedure is minimally invasive, taking place through a small incision. The arthroscopy procedure involves using an arthroscope – an instrument with a small lens and lighting system inserted through the incision to see the inside of the joint.
Let’s talk about the purpose of arthroscopy and where you can go for arthroscopy if you’re located in and around Westlake, OH.
Arthroscopy Helps Diagnose Orthopedic Problems
Your musculoskeletal system (bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons) can be damaged by diseases like arthritis and injury. In order to diagnose your disease or injury, your orthopedic doctor takes your complete medical history, performs a physical exam, and orders some diagnostic imaging tests, such as computerized tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or X-rays.
In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon will make an incision and send a thin tube with a small camera and light attached to itto see the problem with the joint, ligament, and tendon and give you a diagnosis. The inserted tube, also calledan arthroscope,produces the real time-images of the joint, which are then transmitted to the monitor.The images help the orthopedic doctor pinpoint inflammation, tendon tear, cartilage tear, ganglion cyst, arthritis, loose bone fragments in the shoulder, elbow, knee, and wrist, and impingement syndrome.
Your orthopedic doctor may also fill the joint with sterile fluid to expand the area around the joint and improve the view inside the joint.
Arthroscopy Treats Orthopedic Conditions
Arthroscopic surgery can also help your orthopedic doctor treat various conditions, such as inflamed joint lining, scarring within the joints, torn ligaments, damaged or torn cartilage,and loose bone fragments. Arthroscopy can also be used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), remove the synovium, and release the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
To treat the orthopedic conditions, in addition to the arthroscope, your orthopedic surgeon will send the surgical instruments to cut, grind, grasp, and provide suctionas needed to repair the joint.
In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon may also perform arthroscopy and open surgery.
Benefits of Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery is recommended and preferred due to the multitude of benefits it offers. Some of the many benefits of arthroscopy are:
- Faster recovery due to minimal tissue damage
- Shorter hospital stays
- Minimal blood loss
- Minimal scarring
- Less pain
- Less reliance
Arthroscopy in Westlake, OH
Here at Orthopaedic Associates, our orthopedic doctor uses advanced techniques and tools, including arthroscopy, to help diagnose and treat a variety of joint problems and conditions once and for all. We are committed to providing comprehensive and personalized care for your orthopedic problems.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call today at (440) 892-1440 or (866) 362-7624 or use our convenient online form to schedule an appointment today.