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A Guide To Arthroscopy

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Arthroscopic Surgery is a procedure that allows surgeons to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint.  The procedure, also called an Arthroscopy, requires only small incisions and is guided by a miniature viewing instrument or scope.  Before arthroscopy existed, surgeons made large incisions that affected the surrounding joint structures and tissues.  They had to open the joint to view it and perform surgery.  The traditional surgery method carries a higher risk of infection and requires a longer time for recovery.  In contrast, arthroscopy is less invasive.  It has a decreased risk of infection and shorter recovery period.  Today, arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures.  

Read more about A Guide To Arthroscopy

  • Introduction
  • Treatment
  • Introduction
  • Treatment

Introduction

Arthroscopic Surgery is a procedure that allows surgeons to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint.  The procedure, also called an Arthroscopy, requires only small incisions and is guided by a miniature viewing instrument or scope.  Before arthroscopy existed, surgeons made large incisions that affected the surrounding joint structures and tissues.  They had to open the joint to view it and perform surgery.  The traditional surgery method carries a higher risk of infection and requires a longer time for recovery.  In contrast, arthroscopy is less invasive.  It has a decreased risk of infection and shorter recovery period.  Today, arthroscopic surgery is one of the most common orthopedic procedures.  

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Treatment

Arthroscopic Surgery uses an arthroscope, which is a very small surgical instrument; about the size of a pencil.  An arthroscope contains a lens and lighting system that allows a surgeon to view inside a joint. The surgeon only needs to make small incisions and the joint does not have to be opened up fully. The arthroscope can be attached to a miniature camera.  The camera allows the surgeon to view the magnified images on a video screen or take photographs and record videotape.  
Initially, the arthroscope was designed as a diagnostic tool for planning traditional open joint surgeries.  A surgeon uses an arthroscope to diagnose joint conditions when physical examinations or imaging scans are not conclusive.  The diagnostic accuracy of arthroscopy is highly precise.  As the technology developed, special surgical instruments were created to use with the arthroscope. Now, it can be used to treat conditions as well.  Like the arthroscope, the thin surgical instruments are inserted into the joint through small incisions.  Some injuries or problems are treated with a combination of arthroscopic and open surgery. 
 
 
Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy
 
Although nearly all joints can be viewed with an arthroscope, it is used most frequently to treat six joints.  These include the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip and wrist.  Arthroscopy most commonly treats diseases and injuries that damage the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that make up a joint.
Bones are the hardest tissues in our body.  They support our body structure and meet to form joints.  Cartilage covers the ends of many of our bones. The cartilage forms a smooth surface and allows the bones to glide easily during motion.  Disease and injury can compromise the cartilage and joint structure and disrupt their functions. 
 
A condition called Chondromalacia can cause the cartilage to soften and deteriorate because of injury, disease, or “wear and tear.”  The curved cartilage in the knee joint, called a meniscus, is especially vulnerable to tears during injury.  An arthroscopic surgery can treat these conditions by shaving and smoothing out the cartilage.  It can also remove abnormal growths from bones, such as calcium deposits and bone spurs. 

Tendons are strong fibers that attach our muscles to our bones.  They are tissues that do not stretch easily and are susceptible to tears under repeated or traumatic stress.  Ligaments are strong tissues that connect our bones together and provide structural support.  The ligaments are lined with Synovial Membrane called Synovium.  The Synovium secretes a thick liquid called Synovial Fluid.  The Synovial Fluid acts as a cushion and lubricant between the joints, allowing us to perform smooth and painless motions.  Trauma and “wear and tear” from overuse can cause injury and inflammation to our tendons, ligaments, and Synovium. 
 
Tendons in the shoulder and ligaments in the knee are frequently torn or impinged from trauma and overuse.  An arthroscopy can repair tendons.  Many ligaments and tendons can be repaired arthroscopically.  Synovitis, a condition caused by an inflamed lining of a joint, can develop in the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or ankle.  Arthroscopy can treat synovitis by removing scar tissue or the inflamed synovium.  A synovial biopsy, a tissue sample for examination, can be done via arthroscopy.
 
What to Expect
 
Arthroscopic surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.  In some cases, an overnight stay in the hospital may be needed.  You may be sedated for the surgery or receive a local or regional anesthetic to numb the area, depending on the joint or suspected problem.  Before the surgery, your surgeon will elevate your limb and apply a tourniquet, an inflatable band.  This will reduce the blood flow to your joint during the procedure.
 
Your surgeon will make one or more small incisions, about ¼” to ½” in length, near your joint.  Your surgeon will fill the joint space with a sterile saline (salt-water) solution.  Expansion of the space allows your surgeon to have a better view of your joint structures.  Your surgeon will insert the arthroscope and manipulate it to see your joint from different angles.  If you are having another surgical procedure, your surgeon may make additional small incisions and use other slender surgical instruments.  When your procedures are completed, your surgeon may inject your joint with medication to reduce pain and inflammation.  Because the incisions are so small, they will require just a few stitches
 
Your recovery time will depend on the extent of your condition and the amount of surgery that you had.  Your surgeon will let you know what to expect.  Your surgeon may restrict your activity for a short period of time following your surgery.  It is common for people to return to work or school within a few days.  In some cases, rehabilitation is recommended to mobilize and strengthen the joint.  It usually takes a joint several weeks to fully recover.
 
Benefits of Arthroscopy
 
An arthroscopy can be a short procedure.  In some cases, it may only take minutes for the actual surgery.  Because it is often a shorter procedure, a smaller amount of anesthesia is required and individuals need to be sedated for shorter amounts of time than with open joint surgery.  Most people have the procedure as an outpatient and return to their homes in just a few hours.
 
Overall, an arthroscopy requires a shorter length of time for recovery than open joint surgery.  It also has a reduced risk of infection and causes less pain because only small incisions are used and less surrounding tissue is affected or exposed.

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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience could not have been better. Being 73 years old means that I have seen hundreds of medical staff over the years. Bone and Joint is the best I have ever experienced!”

“I appreciated everything about this urgent care visit.”

“Another great visit and as usual, fantastic staff all the way from check in to seeing Dr.”

“Msla B & J is a well-managed and knowledgeable facility. Everyone was very pleasant and very comfortable to be with. I had a wonderful experience.”

“I had a great therapist who explained what she was doing and why she was doing it. It put me more at ease.”

“My physical therapy has helped me immensely! So grateful for all of her kindness and support.”

“Bone and Joint staff are the very best. They care about your needs. They listen very carefully and do everything to make you feel better. Their bright smiles put you at ease right away. I would never go anyplace else for replacement surgery. I am very pleased with all the staff and their services.”

“Great experience. Everyone from beginning to end was friendly and helpful. I am also happy to have a diagnosis and a plan! Thank you.”

“I have always had a great experience at bone and joint. The doctors and staff are all really helpful, listen closely to my issues and provide exceptional care.”

“All the staff was awesome, from checking in, to the nurse, xray and Dr that saw me. I had moved to Thompson Falls in June and was worried about my knee condition and who to trust, I think my need for cortisone injection in my left knee lead me to the right place! Super thanks to your staff that are amazing folks that seem to really care!”

“I have lived in Houston, TX and Seattle. I think the care I received at the Walk-in Clinic of your facility was the best I have ever experienced. I am 75 years old with lots of experience.”

“The staff were positive, courteous and very efficient. The PA was informative and descriptive about my injury, and about managing my expectations for recovery. Overall a very good experience that I shared with family and friends.”

“I have been there dozens of times, never had a Doctor or Assistant that has been less than professional in my care. The office staff are excellent and professional in their dealings with me and my needs. An A Number 1 operation. Thank you!”

“World Class Care at MB&J. Succinct teamwork, truly the staff always friendly and caring. Just strongly recommended MB&J to someone yesterday.”

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Well, here is where my story begins. I started out as a patient at Missoula Bone & Joint (MBJ) 22 years ago. I had an accident that left me with a crushed right foot. I was referred to Dr. Jarrett at Missoula Bone & joint. The care I received was outstanding! I thought to myself,… 

Filed Under: Orthopedics, Patient Testimony, Physical therapy
Tagged With: compassion, determination, gratitude, physical therapy, quality medical care, surgical solution
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  • MISSOULA BONE & JOINT
    2360 Mullan Road, Suite C,
    Missoula, Montana 59808

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Missoula Bone & Joint provides comprehensive orthopedic care in Western Montana. Our highly experienced orthopedic surgeons specialize in the following surgical procedures: general orthopedics, sports medicine, joint replacement, foot & ankle surgery, elbow surgery, hand surgery, wrist surgery, hip surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery, spine surgery and SI joint surgery. Missoula Bone and Joint Surgery Center offers the following services and programs: Physical Therapy, Urgent Care, Surgery Center, Wellness Program, Bone Health Clinic,  Athletic Training Outreach Program, and a Sports Performance Group.

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