Arthroscopy, otherwise known as arthroscopic surgery, is an advanced surgical procedure used by plastic/orthopedic surgeons to look at joints, diagnose problems & provide treatment.
Joints are a key feature of the human body as they provide support and help you move. Any damage to them, either from disease or injury, can interfere with your movement and cause a lot of pain.
Joint pain can affect many parts of your body including:
- Knee
- Wrist
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Ankles
At our state-of-the-art Okanagan Health Facility, our board-certified plastic surgeons are able to provide a wide range of arthroscopy procedures, including knee and wrist arthroscopy, to help return the function to your joints and reduce any pain quickly and safely.
What is an Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a common procedure that is used to repair joint injuries. A small tube (arthroscope), with a camera attached, is inserted into your joint via a small incision. With the help of the images taken by this camera, your plastic surgeon can:
- Examine an injury
- Take biopsies
- Repair damaged tissue using other small connected instruments
Arthroscopy is most often used for knee and shoulder joint injuries but both elbow and wrist arthroscopy are also quite common.
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a type of surgery that can be used to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the knee joint. During the arthroscopy, a small incision is made into the joint and a camera is inserted. The plastic surgeon can then diagnose the problem and correct it using small tools.
A knee arthroscopy may be needed for:
- Torn meniscus
- Torn posterior or anterior cruciate ligaments
- Torn pieces of cartilage
- Removal of Baker’s cyst
- Fractures in the bones of the knee joint
Wrist Arthroscopy
Various conditions can affect your wrist joints such as carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis and others. Wrist arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to view, diagnose and treat any problems with your wrist joint.
You may want to talk to your surgeon about a wrist arthroscopy if you are experiencing any of the following in your wrist:
- Stiffness
- Unexplained pain
- Swelling
- Popping of the joint
- Clicking noises
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is a form of keyhole surgery used to diagnose and treat problems of the shoulder joint. This type of minimally invasive surgery allows for rapid relief of pain and recovery of function since no muscles or tendons need to be divided to gain access to the joint.
Shoulder arthroscopy may be recommended for:
- Shoulder stabilization to prevent dislocation
- Tendon repair
- Rotator cuff repair
- Removal of inflamed tissue or loose cartilage
- Bone spur removal
Arthroscopy vs Traditional Surgery
Arthroscopy has become a very popular approach to some of today’s most common joint injuries. This cutting-edge technique is preferred by many surgeons over the more traditional surgical approach due to the benefits outlined in the chart below.
Arthroscopy Vs. Traditional Surgery
Arthroscopy is minimally invasive
Compared with traditional open surgery, arthroscopy is remarkably less invasive. It only requires 1-2 centimetre small incisions, with no need to expose the entire joint for the surgery to happen.
This means there is significantly less scarring and less post-operative pain.
It has a shorter recovery time
Since arthroscopic surgery, whether knee, shoulder or wrist arthroscopy, reduces the need to cut through your muscles and tendons, patients often enjoy a shorter recovery time.
This means getting back to your normal routine as quickly as possible.
Fewer surgical risks
Because arthroscopic surgery is minimally-invasive and has less impact on the body, the surgical risk is typically lower and complications tend to be rare.
Is Arthroscopic Surgery Right For Me?
If you believe you have sustained joint damage or injury, and are getting frustrated with the pain and lack of motion, it’s important to consult with a plastic or orthopedic surgeon in your area.
In most cases, non-invasive treatment options (e.g medication and physical therapy) are favoured over more extensive procedures. However, in cases where such techniques no longer provide relief, your surgeon can help determine if arthroscopy is the right choice for you.
At Okanagan Health Centre, our plastic surgeons are highly experienced and specialize in today’s top arthroscopic procedures including knee and wrist arthroscopy.
Want to know if arthroscopy is right for you?
Call Today
To find out more about the costs and benefits of our arthroscopic procedures including knee, shoulder and wrist arthroscopy, contact our Kelowna plastic surgeons at 250-868-9799 or toll-free at 877-505-8895 or book a consultation.
