Sports injuries occur not only to professional athletes on the playing field but to ordinary people as well. While these injuries usually occur when playing a sport, they can also occur unexpectedly during your daily activities. A sports injury can happen when you’re playing with your kids, or when you’ve stepped the wrong way from the stairs. Whatever the cause of your injury, our goal is to get you back to your activities, sports and lifestyle without limitation or restriction. Arthroscopic Surgery is often used to treat sports injuries.
What is an arthroscope?
An arthroscope is a small tube that is inserted into the body that consists of a system of lenses, a small video camera and a light for viewing. The camera is connected to a monitoring system that allows a surgeon to view the operation while it is being performed. The arthroscope is often used in conjunction with other tools that are generally inserted through another incision. These tools, unlike the arthroscope, are used for grasping, cutting and probing.
What does arthroscopic surgery generally involve?
Although each procedure varies, generally, arthroscopic surgeries involve the following:
- A general, local or spinal anesthetic is administered.
- A small incision is made in the patient’s skin.
- The arthroscope is inserted through the incision.
- Other incisions may be made to introduce other small tools.
- Light is transmitted via fiber optics at the end of the arthroscope.
- Information about the interior of the joint is transmitted to a screen.
- Corrective surgery, if necessary, may be performed during the diagnostic procedure.
- Dressings or bandages may be applied to the post-operative area.
The small puncture wounds created by the arthroscope and probing tool(s) may take several days to heal. Recovery time depends on the extent of the surgery and on the individual patient. However, most arthroscopic surgery is done on an outpatient basis and patients are allowed to go home within hours after the surgery. Some patients resume daily activities and return to work or school within a few days. Athletes and other patients in good physical condition may return to athletic activities within a few weeks, under the care of their physician.
The joints most frequently examined using arthroscopy include the following:
- Knee
- Ankle
- Shoulder
- Wrist
- Hip
Location
HealthAlliance Hospital
105 Mary's Avenue
Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: 845.338.2500
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