ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY (CLOSED SURGERY)

What is Arthroscopic Surgery (Closed Surgery)?

Arthroscopic surgery is the visualization of the joint with an imaging device called arthroscopy, examination of the joint inside with various instruments and performing the necessary surgical procedure, by entering to joints through small holes which are opened in the skin.

How is arthroscopic surgery performed?

Arthroscopy; is a tubular device comprising light-transmitting optic fibers and glass lenses transmitting the image. Usually the image is transmitted to the screen by attaching camera to the back of the arthroscope.

During the arthroscopy, examination instruments are; long-shear scissors, mechanical cutting headed rounding instruments which we call as shavers, radiofrequency devices are also used for surgical procedures.

After giving certain position to the joint, the arthroscope is inserted into the joint through the holes drilled from the places corresponding to the joint gap. e images are displayed on the screen by help of the camera which is connected to the back of the arthroscope. Light source and serum hose are connected to the arthroscope. Fluid is injected into the joint to make the image larger and clearer. A second hole is made for the use of surgical instruments. Thanks to this system, the necessary surgical procedure is performed at the same time while it is seen alive inside the joint on the screen.

To which joints arthroscopic surgery is performed?

  1. Knee (most often)
  2. Shoulder
  3. Hip
  4. Ankle
  5. Elbow
  6. Wrist
  7. Finger joints

What procedures are performed with arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is not only the process of visualization and diagnosis of the joint, it is actually the surgical procedure performed after the diagnosis. Among the surgical procedures performed in the joint are the following:

  1. In the knee;
    1. Removal of meniscus tears (meniscectomy)
    2. Repair of meniscus tears
    3. Anterior cruciate ligament repair on knee (reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament)
    4. Posterior cruciate ligament repair (reconstruction of posterior cruciate ligament)
    5. Plica excision
  2.  On the shoulder;
    1. Suturing the capsule to the bone (repair of bankart, repair of SLAP)
    2. Rotator cuff repair
    3. Acromioplasty (shaving of the collarbone)
  3. On the hip;
    1- Repair of capsule adhesion point (repair of labrum)
    2- Hip impingement syndrome (FAS) treatment (FAI: femoroacetabular impingment)
    3- Extraction of intraarticular foreign matters, cartilage parts (osseokondritis dissekans)
    4- Cleaning the joint membrane (synovectomy)
    5- Soft loosening or tightening of various tissues
    6- Trimming of bone surfaces

What are the advantages of arthroscopic surgery over open surgery?

  1. Tissues are repaired with a smaller incision. More aesthetic.
  2. Due to tissues are seen as enlarged, causing less damage to tissues
  3. Bleeding is less
  4. Early recovery is achieved
  5. The complication rate is low.

 

What are the complications of arthroscopic surgery?

  1. Bleeding
  2. Cartilage damage
  3. Nerve damage
  4. Infection
  5. Clot formation in legs