Advances in surgical knowledge and expertise mean that it’s now possible to use minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to diagnose and treat many joint conditions. The experienced team at Orthopedic Specialists in Palm Harbor, Florida, uses state-of-the-art arthroscopy technology to carry out successful surgeries for an increasing number of patients who have joint problems For more information, call Orthopedic Specialists or book an appointment online today.
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that the surgeons at Orthopedic Specialists use to get a clear view of the inside of a joint in order to diagnose and treat the source of your condition.
An arthroscope is a surgical instrument that passes through a small incision in your skin and into the joint. The arthroscope has a magnifying lens and a light that gives your surgeon a clear image of the tissues inside the joint. Film of the inside of the joint feeds back via a miniaturized camera on the arthroscope to a monitor screen.
The advantages of using this minimally invasive technique compared to open surgery include:
Patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery generally do so on an outpatient basis, and most people can go home within a few hours.
When you see your physician at Orthopedic Specialists about joint pain, they begin the diagnostic process by reviewing your history, listening to your symptoms, and carrying out an examination. Diagnostics like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI can show detailed images of your joints, but in some cases, your physician needs to be able to view the actual joint tissues.
Surgeons commonly use arthroscopic surgery for examining and treating conditions in six of the body’s joints:
Many of these conditions are also treatable using arthroscopic surgery, or arthroscopy may be used alongside other surgical techniques for treating some joint problems. Arthroscopic surgery is often the best way to repair tendons and ligaments and remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage from a joint.
If you’re experiencing joint pain or loss of function and arthroscopy is the best option, the team at Orthopedic Specialists has considerable expertise and experience with carrying out arthroscopic surgery. Schedule a consultation online or by phone today to learn more.
