Joint disorders are a common cause of pain, stiffness, and mobility issues, taking a toll on your ability to enjoy an active lifestyle and even perform simple, everyday tasks.
While some mild joint issues may be effectively treated with conservative measures, such as medication, rest, and physical therapy, other problems require a more aggressive approach to relieve symptoms and potentially prevent the underlying issue from progressing.
That’s when joint arthroscopy can help. Arthroscopy uses special techniques and instruments designed to both diagnose and treat joint issues without the need for more invasive surgery.
At Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Thomas E. Powell, MD, and his team are skilled in arthroscopic surgery techniques, focusing on helping patients manage a range of joint-related problems, including those that don’t respond well to conservative therapies. Here, learn five key benefits associated with this groundbreaking surgical approach.
Unlike traditional open surgery, arthroscopy requires only a few small incisions. Smaller incisions mean less trauma to surrounding tissues — and smaller scars afterward.
While scarring might seem like a minor concern, for many people smaller scars make recovery easier from an emotional standpoint and comfort standpoint, too. Less scar tissue means less stiffness and improved mobility overall.
Arthroscopy uses real-time imaging to provide magnified, highly detailed views of your joints and the areas surrounding them. Higher visibility means greater precision in treating an array of joint-related issues.
It also means our team can diagnose problems that can’t be easily seen with diagnostic imaging. In many instances, diagnosis and treatment can be completed in a single procedure, for greater precision and enhanced outcomes.
Because it involves less tissue damage, arthroscopy is also associated with faster recovery times. The minimally invasive approach helps tissues heal faster, which means you can get back to your regular activities in less time compared with traditional surgeries that use larger incisions and involve more tissue damage.
Less tissue damage also allows your body to focus more of its energy on your recovery and rehabilitation, meaning physical therapy can begin sooner and progress more quickly. The result for many patients is a speedier return of strength and mobility.
Likewise, smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and reduced scarring mean less discomfort during your recovery period, too. Since less tissue is bruised or disrupted, arthroscopy typically involves less swelling and stiffness, too.
Many people find they don’t need to rely on pain relievers as much, which means less risk of side effects, like constipation, stomach upset, and sleep issues. And of course, increased comfort makes it easier to actively participate in physical therapy following surgery, for faster and more comfortable recovery overall.
While nearly any medical treatment has some risk of complications, because it uses smaller incisions and involves less tissue disruption, arthroscopy is typically associated with a substantially lower complication rate.
Smaller incisions heal faster and expose less tissue to potential germs, and less tissue damage means less bleeding. Smaller scars reduce the risk of stiffness that can impede healing and long-term recovery.
Of course, just because a surgical approach or technique is associated with certain benefits, that doesn’t mean it’s the best or most beneficial option for your specific needs.
Before recommending any medical procedure or treatment, our team performs a careful evaluation of your symptoms, your anatomy, your health history, and other factors, so we can make the right recommendation to help you enjoy optimal results.
To learn how we can help you relieve your discomfort, request an appointment online or over the phone with Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, today.
