About arthroscopy
The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, "arthro" (joint) and "skopein" (to look). The term literally means "to look within the joint." A small incision is made in the patient's skin and the arthroscope, an instrument like a small telescope, is inserted into the joint. Light is transmitted through fibre optic cables to the end of the arthroscope, and the instrument is attached to a video monitor.
Arthroscopy allows direct visualisation of the cartilages, the ligaments and the joint surfaces. Surgical procedures can be carried out via small incisions around the joint. Arthroscopy is most commonly performed on the knee joint, but is also used for shoulders, ankles, elbows, hips and other joints.
Some of the most frequent conditions found during arthroscopic examinations of joints are:

In the knee:

• meniscal (cartilage) tears
• chondromalacia (wearing or injury of cartilage lining the joint)
• anterior cruciate ligament tears with instability

In the shoulder:

• rotator cuff tendon tears
• impingement syndrome

In any joint:

• injuries
• synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining (synovium))
• loose bodies of bone and/or cartilage

Arthroscopic surgery
Arthroscopic surgery may be performed under general, spinal or local anaesthetic, depending on the joint or suspected problem.
A small incision (about 1cm long) is made to insert the arthroscope. Several other incisions may be made to see other parts of the joint or insert other instruments.

When indicated, corrective surgery is performed with specially-designed instruments that are inserted into the joint through these other incisions.
Some of the procedures that may be performed arthroscopically include:

• Rotator cuff  repair in the shoulder
• Repair or removal of torn meniscus (cartilage) from the knee
• Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee
• Removal of inflamed lining (synovium) of the knee, shoulder or other joints
• Carpal tunnel release
• Repair of torn ligaments
• Removal of loose bodies (bone or cartilage) in from joints

Postoperatively, the small incisions are covered with a dressing.
Postoperative pain and recovery depend on the problems for which arthroscopy is performed and the length and type of surgery involved. Many arthoscopic procedures can be performed as "day cases", with the patient being discharged the same day after a suitable recovery period.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be required following some procedures (e.g. cruciate ligament reconstruction)
 
 

Possible complications
Although uncommon (less of 1% of all arthroscopic procedures), complications occasionally occur during or following arthroscopy. They include;

• infection
• blood clots; superficial  (phlebitis) or deep (deep venous thrombosis (DVT))
• excessive swelling or bleeding
• damage to blood vessels or nerves

- Meniscus

- Shoulder

Orthes, spol. s r.o., Palackého 481, 756 61 Rožnov p./R., tel.: +420 651 757940-4, Fax: +420 651 620923, e-mail: orthes@orthes.cz