What is arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat problems in your joints. The procedure gets its name from the surgical tool used to see inside your joint, called an arthroscope.
An arthroscope is a long, pencil-sized device equipped with lighting and a video camera that transmits magnified images to a monitor. Using this exceptional view of the tissues inside your joint, Dr. Regala carefully examines the joint and verifies the source of your symptoms.
To repair the underlying problem, Dr. Regala makes a few additional small incisions and then inserts surgical tools through narrow tubes. While viewing the monitor, Dr. Regala operates by manipulating the tools from outside your body.
What orthopedic conditions does arthroscopic surgery treat?
Most surgical procedures that once required open surgery are now done with arthroscopic surgery. These are only a few examples of orthopedic conditions frequently treated with minimally invasive surgery:
- Arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Meniscus tears
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dislocated knee or shoulder
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
- Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement)
- Synovitis (joint inflammation)
What procedures are performed during arthroscopic surgery?
Dr. Regala performs many different procedures during arthroscopic surgery. The specialized surgical tools are narrow enough to go through tiny incisions, yet they can grasp, cut, probe, take a biopsy, and perform any procedure that might be needed during your surgery. For example, Dr. Regala may:
- Remove damaged and inflamed tissues
- Repair damaged tissues
- Reconstruct ligaments
- Reshape bones
- Reattach torn tendons and ligaments
- Remove loose bones or cartilage
How do I benefit from arthroscopic surgery?
The small incisions used during minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery cause significantly less trauma than the long incision needed for traditional open surgery. This translates into health benefits such as:
- Reduced bleeding during surgery
- Less postoperative pain
- Lower risk of infection
- Minimal scarring
- Quicker recovery
- Faster return to your normal activities
In many cases, Dr. Regala can perform arthroscopic surgery without cutting the muscles. He spares your muscles by gently stretching the fibers to accommodate the narrow surgical tools. After your surgery is finished, the muscles return to their normal position without needing time to heal from an incision.
If you have questions about arthroscopic surgery or you need to schedule a procedure, call Philip Regala, MD, or book an appointment online.
