Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
About Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the joints. It allows the orthopaedic surgeon to see inside the joints through tiny holes and conduct high-precision surgical procedures like ligament reconstruction.
The Procedure:
- After anesthesia, the joint is distended with fluid to create space and allow clear viewing.
- A small incision (0.5 cm to 1 cm) is made on the skin and a lens with an attached camera (arthroscope) is introduced.
- The surgeon visualizes the inside with a camera and identifies the problem.
- Once the problem is identified, a few more incisions are made around the area and other instruments are introduced to repair the same.
Depending on the extent and healing potential of the damaged tissue, some injuries may require harvesting of muscle and tendon tissue from a nearby area in the patients' body, for use as new ligament.
Metal or Self Dissolving implants (Biodegradable Screws and Suture Anchors) are required to anchor the reconstructed ligament to the bone. These metal implants are very small and usually don't need removal. Bio degradable implants are costlier, and will be absorbed by the body and do not need removal.
Advantages of Arthroscopy
As the incision is small and tissue damage is minimal in Arthroscopy, the
- Post-surgical pain is less
- Recovery is faster
- Patient is able to rehabilitate better.
Most arthroscopic procedures are day care surgeries and the patient can go home the same day. But certain major ligament reconstruction procedures may require admission for a few days.
About Sports Medicine
Sports medicine deals with prevention, non operative management and rehabilitation of common injuries in various sports. Patellar tendinitis, Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome, TE etc., are a few such injuries encountered by sportspersons.
Assessment of the athlete in toto is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. Modifications in playing technique (Bio-mechanics), nutritional modification and sports psychology are among the various methods of treatment that may be recommended.
Patients undergoing arthroscopy are monitored and instructed by our team of Surgeons and dedicated Sports Physiotherapists on a protocol of rehabilitation - tailored to their needs. The instructions should be followed carefully, for quick recovery.
Some patients may have to use braces, slings and crutches for a few weeks, depending on the surgery performed. This is necessary in order to rest the join in the proper position and allow healing of the repaired tissues.
For those who wish to train and rehabilitate faster, Ortho One has a Fitness Centre with a well equipped Gymnasium and Physiotherapists to monitor the training.
The timing or speed of getting back to work depends to a large extent on the damage and repair done. Most patients do well after rehabilitation and get back to sporting activity or their respective profession, fully rehabilitated.
But in some cases, depending on the extent of damage to the tissues, the doctor may advise against a particular kind of physical activity or sport or alteration of lifestyle. This is just to protect and prevent the joint from further damage.
Most joints in the body and a variety of pathologies can be visualized and treated with Arthroscopy. The common treatments offered include:
Knee Joint Arthroscopic Procedures:
Ligament reconstruction
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
- Medial Patellofemoral Ligament reconstruction
- Posterolateral corner repair and reconstruction
- Medial Collateral ligament repair
Meniscus surgery for Meniscus tears and congenital meniscus problems
- Meniscus repair
- Partial meniscectomy
- Discoid meniscus surgery
Cartilage disroders - Chondroplasty, Mosaicplasty
Patella realignment procedures for unstable knee cap
Arthroscopy Assisted Tibial Pleateau fracture fixation
Shoulder Joint Arthroscopic Procedures:
- Recurrent dislocation of shoulder
- Rotator Cuff tears
- Frozen Shoulder
- Calcific tendinitis
Elbow, Wrist and Ankle Arthroscopic Procedures:
- Ligament reconstruction
- TFCC repair
- Carpal Tunnel release
- Osteochondritis Dissecans treatment
- Osteoarthritis, loose body removal