Arthroscopic Surgery Specialist

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a procedure that helps to assess, diagnose, and treat joint problems. In some cases, the team may use arthroscopic surgery to verify your diagnosis after a physical exam and MRI imaging before beginning treatment.

The surgery involves one of the expert orthopedic surgeons at Bahri Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic making a small incision in your skin while you’re under sedation. A thin, pencil-sized device is placed through your skin into the joint space. This device is equipped with a light and camera, which sends video imaging to a television. Your doctor uses the video to confirm your diagnosis and identify specific areas within your joint that require treatment.

Treatment often involves placing tiny surgical tools through the incision to remove damaged tissue and repair the joint. The benefit of arthroscopic surgery is that the incision is small and doesn’t damage muscles or connective tissues surrounding the joint, like traditional open surgeries.

When is arthroscopic surgery needed?

Arthroscopic surgery can be performed on any joint, though it’s most common in the following areas:

• Shoulder
• Knee
• Wrist
• Hip
• Ankle
• Elbow

These joints are typically large enough to accommodate the tools used during arthroscopic surgery. Surgical corrections are often performed for the following reasons:

• Rotator cuff tears
• Repair of torn cartilage in the shoulder or knee
• Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee
• Removal of inflamed tissue in the shoulder, knee, wrist, elbow, and ankle
• Release of carpal tunnel
• Repair of torn ligaments
• Removal of loose bone or cartilage in the joint space

Arthroscopic surgery can be used when trauma, sports injuries, arthritis, and wear-and-tear cause joint damage, disability, and pain.

What is recovery like after arthroscopic surgery?

Since arthroscopic surgery is less invasive than open surgeries, total recovery time is generally several weeks rather than months. The incision site heals within a few days and can be covered with an adhesive tape for protection. Mild pain and soreness are normal within the first week or two of healing.

The team also provides referrals for physical therapy as part of your rehabilitation. Physical therapy is used to restore normal motion to your joint and strengthen the muscles around the treatment area for better stability and function.

To learn more about arthroscopic surgery, call or schedule a visit with the team at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic now.