Arthroscopy
What exactly is it?
Arthroscopy is derived from the Greek verbs arthro (joint) and scopein (look); it refers to an examination of the joint from within. Arthroscopy is the name of a minimally invasive surgery technique that is performed by placing a fiber optic system on the edge of the camera inside a joint through very small cuts. Surgical incisions are usually the size of the buttonhole of a shirt button. The illuminated fiber optic system placed inside the joint enters the joint by passing through a sheath with a diameter of 5 mm. The image obtained with the fiber optic system and camera is transferred to the high-resolution video monitor system.
Why and when do we need it?
Arthroscopy is performed for two main reasons. The first of them is called diagnostic arthroscopy and is performed to view the joint spaces and to diagnose. And the second is interventional arthroscopy, which is performed to treat the pathologies inside the joint or around the tendons or joints.
Diagnostic arthroscopy is an arthroscopy that is performed in cases of insufficient radiologic monitoring methods (x-ray, tomography, MRI); however, in recent years, the number of interventions has decreased due to the development of better radiologic monitoring techniques.
Arthroscopic surgery that is performed to treat the pathologies inside the joint is called interventional arthroscopy. It is mostly performed on the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, ankle, and wrist.
- Cleaning and repair of meniscal tears, intervention for cartilage disorders, and repair of ligament tears can all be done arthroscopically in the knee joint.
- Surgical treatments such as rotator cuff tear repair, bankart repair, and SLAP repair can be performed arthroscopically in the shoulder joint.
- Cleaning and repair of labrum tears can be performed arthroscopically in the hip joint.
- In the elbow joint, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), the removal of free cartilage and bone fragments, and a loosening procedure in hard elbows can be performed.
- Cleaning, repairing cartilage defects, and loosening ligaments can all be done in the ankle joint.
- In the wrist joint, TFCC tear repair can be performed after the removal of free cartilage fragments.
Furthermore, some tendons or fascia can be repaired in areas where there is no joint space using an arthroscopic technique.
Preparation phase…
While your doctor is planning the arthroscopic surgery, he or she gets the consultation, or, in other words, their opinions about the anesthesiologist and other accompanying ailments. Your surgery plan is created by adding patient expectations to criteria such as age, height, weight, and living conditions. The planning made with the right data before the surgery is of great importance in the post-surgical recovery process. The most important criterion here is that you must strictly follow the plan.
Post-operative period…
After arthroscopic surgery, the patient usually stays in the hospital overnight. The first dressing is done in the morning after the operation. The patient is discharged with training on preventive measures and exercise programs suitable for the surgery performed. Although it varies from person to person, wound healing takes between 7 and 10 days.
What are its advantages compared to open surgery?
Arthroscopic joint surgeries are preferred because they have some advantages over open surgery. Because it is performed with very small incisions, a very short wound healing process is experienced in the postoperative period. Since large incisions around the joint and excess layers are not removed and re-stitched as in open surgery, limitation of movement due to adhesions does not develop around the joint. Postoperative rehabilitation and return to daily life can be very rapid. In some cases, the patient can return home the same day after the operation.
Complications…
As with all surgeries, this one also carries risks as well as benefits. Although rare, possible complications can be listed as infection, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), excessive swelling or bleeding, vessel-nerve damage, and finally, instrument breakage that may occur during the procedure. However, these complications occur in less than 1% of all arthroscopic surgeries.
