While joint pain was once seen mainly in elderly subjects, it has since become a more widespread phenomenon and one that would once have required them to undergo major surgery. However, the development of a new orthopaedic procedure known as arthroscopy has meant that many of those affected now have a less invasive alternative to traditional open surgery when seeking relief from chronic hip, knee or shoulder pain and impaired mobility.
The arthroscope is an optical instrument similar to other endoscopic devices, such as cystoscopes and colonoscopes., used to examine the bladder and colon, respectively. Derived from the Greek word “arthros”, meaning “joint”, this instrument employs a system of fibre-optic cable, lenses, and LED lighting to provide an orthopaedic surgeon with a magnified, full-colour view of the internal structure of a joint and the surrounding soft tissues in real-time.
Endoscopy was first adopted for orthopaedic use in 1919 when a Japanese professor named Kenji Takagi modified a 7,3mm cystoscope to examine a knee joint. Takaji was subsequently responsible for many of the improvements in this field that eventually enabled this instrument to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures when treating orthopaedic conditions that would have previously required exposing the entire joint.
Some Common Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy
Although developed initially as a diagnostic tool, the arthroscope has since revolutionised many aspects of orthopaedic surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is characterised by faster recovery times and a reduced risk of excessive blood loss and post-operative infections. Conditions that can now be treated using this minimally invasive approach include:
- A torn meniscus: This common knee injury, in which the cartilage between the femur and tibia is damaged, can be repaired arthroscopically.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears: When torn, this knee joint component can also be repaired using this minimally invasive procedure.
- Rotator cuff tears: Tears to the group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place, known as the rotator cuff, can be repaired without resorting to major surgery when using an arthroscope.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: In these cases, arthroscopy can help remove or repair the inflamed or damaged tissues responsible for shoulder pain.
- Synovitis: In this condition, the synovial membrane lining the joint becomes inflamed. It often occurs in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Like the conditions previously named, it can also be treated arthroscopically.
The Key Benefits of Arthroscopy
Besides avoiding the need for major surgery and the attendant risks of fully exposing a joint, arthroscopic surgery offers several additional benefits, including the following:
- Versatility: Arthrospcpic surgery has been adapted for use on most of the body’s joints, including the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and ankles.
- Outpatient procedure: Most arthroscopic surgery can be performed in day hospitals on an outpatient basis, allowing the patients to return home on the same day shortly after their procedure.
- A cost-effective option: The shorter hospital stay and speedier recovery make this procedure a more economical choice than conventional open surgery.
- High success rate: Arthroscopy has proved highly effective in relieving joint pain and restoring function, helping patients avoid more invasive surgery.
Many South Africans and overseas patients choose the Wilgers Life Hospital in Pretoria to ensure expert surgical procedures. Contact us to book an appointment at this established centre of orthopaedic excellence.