Arthroscopy, or “scope surgery” became a familiar term to sports fans when baseball player Chase Utley had arthroscopic hip surgery in 2008. Alex Rodriguez has had a similar procedure, as has Olympic sprinter Tyson Gay and many other athletes, professional and amateur. Arthroscopy is minimally invasive surgery and has a shorter recovery period than conventional surgery, making it the best option for athletes. Of course, that same reasoning also applies to everyone else with a joint problem.
What is Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopy is based upon the Greek words for joint, “arthro,” and to look, “skopein.” This literally describes the procedure – looking inside the joint. The surgeon uses pencil-sized instruments to visualize, diagnose and treat the inside of the joint. Using two or three tiny incisions, a miniature camera allows the surgeon to closely examine the interior of the joint. This final diagnosis is normally more accurate than is possible with only x-rays or MRIs, etc.
This definitive knowledge of the joint abnormality explains the success of the arthroscopic surgery since the surgeon knows exactly what the problem is and how best to correct it. Instead of a long incision, the surgeon uses several 1/4″ incisions. This surgery is often done on an outpatient basis, which means a procedure done in an operating room or surgical suite and the patient going home within 24 hours. The patient will experience some degree of discomfort for a few days after surgery, but this can be easily controlled with ordinary pain medications.
Common Arthroscopic Procedures
The six joints most often examined are the shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow and wrist. The more common arthroscopic surgeries include surgery for the:
- Rotator cuff;
- Meniscus or torn cartilage of the knee or shoulder
- Anterior cruciate ligament in the knee;
- Carpal tunnel.
The Benefits of Arthroscopy
Patients benefit from the faster healing, small incisions with less scarring and a shorter recovery period.
At Chamberland Orthopaedics, Dr. Patricia “Missy” Chamberland, MD is one of the few orthopaedic surgeons in America who is able to “scope” every major joint. Dr. Chamberland is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with Advanced Certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Montrose and her staff stand ready to help injured skiiers and all others in need of Orthopaedics in Montrose. Visit her website to learn more about orthopaedics in Montrose and to contact the office.
