Is Arthroscopy A Major Surgical Procedure?

Arthroscopy is a popular surgical procedure that doctors use to diagnose, look at, and treat issues inside a joint like shoulder joint or knee joints. The outcome and the effectiveness of the surgery are surely major but it is a minimally surgical procedure. Arthroscopic surgery can do wonders for patients who don’t want to go for painful surgery.

Arthroscopy is recommended by doctors in case of joint inflammation, joint injuries or damaged tissues over time. Arthroscopy can be done on any joints like hip, wrist, knee and shoulder joints.

Procedure:

Arthroscopy surgery procedure is quite simple and is an outpatient procedure. The patient is first given anesthesia depending on the joint and its conditions. The doctor inserts a special and thin instrument through a very minute small incision on the body. The tool that is used to conduct the procedure is known as an arthroscope which has a camera lens and a light attached to it. This instrument allows the doctor to look inside. The attached camera helps in projecting images of the site onto a screen which is monitored by the doctor.

The doctor thus looks into the joint’s condition, diagnoses the problem, and thus decides the type of surgery the patient needs. In case of requirement of surgery, the doctor inserts special tools through several other small incisions known as portals and conducts the required procedure.

After the surgery the arthroscope and any other attachments are removed and the wounds are closed with stitches or special tapes.

Recovery

The surgery can be followed by a little pain and the doctor can prescribe some medicines in such cases. The surgery reduces joint pains and stiffness and the recovery time is minimal. Certain activities need to be avoided, after the surgery, and it may take a few weeks or months to get back to normalcy.

Complications are rare

Although complications are rare, if you experience any sort of complications after an arthroscopic surgery you must consult a doctor immediately.

Complications can have symptoms as follows:

• Fever
• Numbness or tingling
• Severe swelling
• Pain that gets worse
• Discolored fluid seeping from a wound

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Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Bharani Kumar Dayanandam

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