Arthroscopy surgery is a less-invasive procedure doctors use to diagnose and treat damaged tissue in your joints. It involves tiny instruments and incisions, making it minimally invasive. During the procedure, your surgeon uses a small camera to get a detailed view of the injured region for proper diagnosis and treatment. Prairie Garden Medical specialists can recommend arthroscopy surgery to treat bone fractures, arthritis, ligament tears, cartilage damage, joint inflammation, and anterior or posterior ankle problems. The treatment has minimal risks, is less painful, and involves a short healing period.
How do you prepare for arthroscopy surgery?
Before arthroscopy surgery, your specialist will ask if you are taking any medications or herbal supplements. You may have to stop taking blood thinners and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs several days before the surgery. Avoid tobacco use several days before the surgery, as they slow the healing process.
What happens during the arthroscopy procedure?
Arthroscopy surgery involves local or general anesthesia, depending on your condition or affected body part. Your surgeon will insert an arthroscopic device through a small incision size of a buttonhole around the affected region. The arthroscope has a camera and light that enables your surgeon to view your joint. The camera projects images onto a video monitor. Your surgeon can fill the affected part with a specific sterile fluid to widen it for easier viewing.
Your surgeon observes the images to diagnose your condition and decide the surgical procedure to use. The surgeon then inserts special treatment tools through the cut to remove or repair damaged tissue. After eliminating the damaged tissue, the provider closes the incision with special tape or stitches. The providers in the medical room will take you to a recovery room, where you will rest for about one hour or two.
What happens after arthroscopy surgery?
After arthroscopy surgery, your specialist will prescribe medications to help ease your pain. You can use ice packs around the treated area to reduce pain. Your specialist will teach you how to keep your incision clean and covered to prevent infections. The specialist will also tell you how many days you will avoid putting weight or pressure on the treated area. If you had hip or leg surgery, your doctor might suggest you use crutches or other assistive devices. You could wear a sling if you had arthroscopy surgery on your hand. Avoid taking showers until your wound heals.
Several days after the procedure, you may experience some pain and mild swelling. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience fever, severe pain, numbness or tingling, and extreme swelling. Depending on your condition and overall health, recovery from arthroscopy takes several weeks or months. Your doctor will tell you when to resume regular duties. Your specialist may recommend specific exercises to help strengthen your joints and muscles, speed up recovery, and prevent future damage.
Arthroscopy surgery is a less-invasive technique doctors use to diagnose and treat joint tissues. The surgery is minimally invasive, hence, fewer risks and quick recovery. Schedule an appointment at Prairie Garden Medical for arthroscopy surgery to relieve your joint pain.