Arthroscopic Surgery Specialist
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Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine located in Vestavia Hills, AL
Arthroscopic surgery is a game-changer that allows people to get the joint treatment they need without open surgery. In most cases, they go home the same day. At Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Thomas Powell, MD, has extensive training and experience in arthroscopic surgery, performing procedures that help you overcome pain and regain optimal joint function. If you sustain an injury or have a chronic joint condition, call the office in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, or book an appointment online today.
Arthroscopic Surgery Q&A
What is arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and repair problems in your joints. This type of surgery is called minimally invasive because your surgeon makes a few small incisions. Then they perform your surgery using specialized, pencil-thin instruments.
The primary instrument, an arthroscope, holds a video camera and lighting. Your surgeon inserts the scope into the joint through one incision.
The camera sends high-definition images to a monitor, allowing your surgeon to carefully examine the tissues and accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms.
If you need a procedure to repair the problem, your surgeon inserts additional instruments through the other incisions. They control the tools from outside your body while using the monitor to view the tissues inside the joint.
What joint conditions are repaired with arthroscopic surgery?
As specialists in arthroscopic surgery, the team at Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine diagnoses and treats many joint conditions with arthroscopic surgery.
They often recommend minimally invasive surgery to treat conditions such as:
- Meniscus tears
- Cartilage damage
- ACL ligament injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Labral tears
- Frozen shoulder
- Biceps tendon tear
The team at Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine uses arthroscopic surgery whenever possible to take care of joint injuries and diseases.
What procedures can be done during arthroscopic surgery?
Nearly every type of joint procedure that once required open surgery can now be done with minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. The team at Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine may need to:
- Remove torn cartilage
- Repair or reshape cartilage (chondroplasty)
- Reconstruct ligaments
- Repair or release tendons
- Remove loose bodies
- Reshape bones
- Remove infected or damaged tissues
- Realign and stabilize fractures
In some cases, your surgeon may perform a joint replacement using arthroscopy surgery.
What benefits do I gain with arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery causes significantly less trauma compared with the large incisions required during open surgery. As a result, you experience:
- Less bleeding during surgery
- Less pain after surgery
- Lower risk of complications
- Minimal scarring
- Shorter recovery time
- Faster return to sports and daily activities
Many patients can go home the same day after an arthroscopic procedure. But if you need to stay in the hospital, you still benefit by spending less time there than if you had open surgery.
To learn more about arthroscopic surgery, call Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.
