ARTHROSCOPY
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. It can be used to treat most joint problems and is generally easier to recover from than open surgery.

DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing joint injuries and problems begins with a thorough medical history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging—such as x-rays, MRI, or CT scans. With a microscopic evaluation of a joint, a precise diagnosis can typically be made even more accurately than through open surgery or from x-ray studies.

Nearly all joints can be evaluated with an arthroscope. The six joints are most frequently amenable to arthroscopic examination are knees, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hips, and wrists.

Abnormalities (some associated with arthritis) and injuries can damage bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Some of the most frequent conditions found during arthroscopic examinations of joints are:
• Inflammation – Synovitis (irritated lining of the joint)
• Injury – acute and chronic
            Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendon tears, impingement syndrome, dislocations, bicep problems and cartilage wear.
            Knee: Meniscal tears, chondrosis (wearing
or injury of cartilage), cruciate ligament tears with instability, and kneecap misalignment.
• Miscellaneous loose fragments of bone and/or cartilage.

TREATMENT
The word arthroscopy means “to look within the joint.” Dr. Moor has developed techniques such that local or regional anesthesia is usually adequate to allow comfort during surgery without the risk of general/intubation anesthesia. A small tubular microscope, less than the size of a drinking straw, is placed into the joint through two or three incisions of only 1/4" each.

Through fiber optics, an attached light and camera allow viewing of the inside of the distended joint on a TV screen. The entire joint is inspected allowing the surgeon to determine the amount or type of injury before repairing the problem at that time.

RECOVERY
Most patients have their arthroscopic surgery as outpatients and are home several hours
after surgery.

Skin openings generally only take a few days to heal. During your follow up visit, the surgeon will inspect your incisions and often suggest a specific rehabilitation program to speed your recovery and protect future joint function. Most people find that a formal physical therapy program is not necessary, as self rehab at home is usually sufficient for optimal recovery.

Recovery time varies according to each patient’s problem. A return to full physical activity should only be done under the direction of your surgeon. Full activities may be enjoyed by some within one week of surgery.

Advantages of Arthroscopy

• Arthroscopy requires only small incisions causing minimal scarring at most, as opposed to the large incision needed in standard open surgery that may cause noticeable scarring.

• Arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure that not only allows the patient to go back to the comfort of their home within a few hours of surgery, but also provides a savings by not requiring an overnight hospital stay.

• Arthroscopy lends to a much quicker recovery time than open surgery. This allows the patient to return to their previous lifestyle in a shorter time frame.