What is Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions related to bones and joints. Arthroscope is a narrow tube with a fiber-optic video camera fitted to its end. During an arthroscopic procedure, the arthroscope is inserted into the patient’s body through a small incision made at the joint that is being examined. The camera sends the visuals of the bone and joints to the monitor. The doctor uses these pictures to assess the condition of the joint and the health of the surrounding bones. The biggest advantage of this procedure is that it provides precise view of the joint without having to cut it open.

Why is it Done

Arthroscopy is performed on patients, who complain of pain in various parts of the body, including:

• Knee
• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Ankle
• Hip
• Wrist

Most orthopedic surgeons opt for Arthroscopy when they haven’t gotten the complete picture of the patient’s condition even after running all the necessary tests.

How can one Prepare for Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that you wouldn’t have to worry about the recovery. However, the preparation for the procedure depends on the extent of the diagnosis and the joints that your surgeon is aiming at

In general, you might have to:

• Avoid taking a few medications, including blood thinners and a few other dietary supplements you generally take daily
• Fast the night before the procedure, especially avoid eating solid foods.
• Since you will be sedated during the surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will advise you to be accompanied by someone who can drive you back home
• Avoid body-hugging clothes; wear baggy and comfortable clothing

What Happens During the Procedure

Arthroscopy is a short, key-hole procedure. The procedure starts with administering anesthesia. So you will likely stay awake during the whole process. Once the anesthesia kicks in, a small incision is made for the arthroscope to be inserted into the joint. The surgeon assesses the insides of the joint with the help of images captured by the arthroscope. If he decides to fix the joint, he will make a few more incisions at the site, insert surgical instruments through them and repair the joint. After that, he will stitch back the incision and transfer you to the recovery room where you will stay till the anesthesia wears off.

How is Recovery for Arthroscopy

After the procedure, you will either be shifted to into a recovery room where you are helped to recover. The surgeon will prescribe analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve the pain and the inflammation. If you are finding it difficult to manage the pain, you can follow the R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compress and elevate) technique till the pain subsides completely. Also, make sure that you immediately consult your surgeon if you are experiencing any complications or symptoms out of the ordinary. As for the recovery timeline, the patient can generally get back to their routine and desk work within 2-3 days. After that, however, you might have to wait for 2-3 weeks to get back to the strenuous activities.