FAQ - Arthroscopic Surgery

Q :		What is arthroscopic surgery?
A :		Arthroscopic surgery is a modern method of performing surgery inside the joint through very small incisions. The incisions are usually about a quarter of an inch in length with two or three incisions per joint necessary. A video camera is attached to the end of a long thin microscope, which is placed inside the joint. Other long, thin, frequently motorized instruments are used to perform surgery inside joints. Knees and shoulders most commonly benefit, but other joints such as ankles, hips, and wrists may also be done.

Q :		How long is recuperation after arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder?
A :		Recuperation depends largely upon the specific kind off surgery done. For relief of a simple impingement syndrome, usually after a few days, one is able to use the arm, but a few weeks are required for more strenuous activities. People who play golf and tennis usually can return to that sport two months after impingement relief arthroscopic surgery.

Q :		Is physical therapy necessary after arthroscopic surgery?
A :		Physical therapy usually helps regain use after arthroscopic surgery of both knees and shoulders. Physical therapy decreases inflammation, helps increase range of motion of the joint, and will help increase muscle strength of the muscles around the joint.

Q :		How successful is arthroscopic surgery?
A :		Arthroscopic surgery is very successful in restoring function of joints. Probably no surgery is completely successful in making a joint “as good as new,” however; arthroscopic surgery is a step forward over “open” surgical procedures, which were done previously. The complications are less, recovery is faster, and discomfort is markedly diminished.

Q :		How can I tell if arthroscopic surgery will help me?
A :		Physical examination and x-ray are very useful, but a magnetic resonance image is usually the best way to tell whether or not arthroscopic surgery will help a joint problem. Magnetic resonance images show not only bones, but also ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and soft tissues around the joints.

Q :		What are the advantages of arthroscopic surgery?
A :		Because arthroscopic surgery is done through very small incisions, a light general anesthetic can be used, usually patients go home the same day, discomfort is minimized, the rate of complications is much lower, and recovery is much faster.

Q :		How much pain is there after arthroscopic surgery?
A :		The pain after arthroscopic surgery is minimal because of very small skin incisions. Pain is related to the amount of surgery done inside the joint, which in general is much less. Discomfort is also reduced considerably with the application of an ice blanket over the joint after surgery.

Q :		How would I know if arthroscopic surgery would help my knee problem?
A :		The most common type of knee arthroscopic surgery is for torn meniscus cartilage in the knee. Typical symptoms are locking, clicking, popping, giving way, pain on the inner side of the knee, and swelling. These are frequently related to a twisting injury of the knee. Frequently the first episode will get better, and then recurrent episodes become more frequent and more severe. Torn cartilage in the knee can be repaired or removed easily through an arthroscope.

Q :		Can knee instability be corrected through arthroscopic surgery?
A :		Frequently, the instability can be corrected by the installation of ligaments inside the knee through an arthroscope. Only slightly more complicated than the knee meniscus surgery, ligaments, primarily the anterior cruciate ligament, can be completely replaced by the use of an arthroscope. Often an over-night stay in the hospital is necessary with this type of surgery.

Q :		How would I know if arthroscopic surgery would help my shoulder pain?
A :		There are several conditions which arthroscopic surgery can help in your shoulder. Most common are impingement syndromes and rotator cuff tears. For impingement syndrome, some bone is removed from the undersurface of the bone on top of the shoulder called the acromion, which frequently projects down like a sharp edge cutting into the rotator cuff tendon. Removing this sharp projection will frequently relieve the symptoms. Rotator cuff tears can be repaired frequently through the arthroscope.

Q :		Whatis a rotator cuff impingement?
A :		Rotator cuff impingement occurs when the underside of the bone above the shoulder, or bone spurs from the top side of the shoulder cut into or impinge upon the tendon which lifts the shoulder from the side. This “impingement” begins to irritate or wear a hole in the tendon on the top of the shoulder causing pain usually on lifting the shoulder from the side, sleeping on that shoulder at night, or any activity that elevates the shoulder such as pouring water out of a pitcher.

Q :		Whatis a rotator cuff tear?
A :		Rotator cuff tear occurs when the broad flat tendon on the top of the shoulder is torn away from the bone which lifts the arm from the side. This can happen during a single accident, or over a period of time during which a sharp prominence on the undersurface of the shoulder gradually wears a hole in the broad flat tendon that lifts the shoulder from the side of the body.

Q :		I have a shoulder that comes out of the joint from time to time from a former sports injury. Can arthroscopic surgery help this?
A :		Arthroscopic surgery can be done to help the problem of dislocating shoulders. The ligaments which are torn away from the front of the shoulder when a shoulder is dislocated, usually don’t heal completely. Through an arthroscope, these ligaments can be reattached to the front of the shoulder bone, which is usually successful in preventing recurrent dislocations.