Arthroscopic Surgery
The surgeons at Inland Orthopaedics of Spokane are experts at performing arthroscopy to accurately diagnose and repair injuries and problems affecting the joints, and use it frequently for the following:
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Repair of Torn Cartilage (meniscus) from Knee or Shoulder
- Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the Knee
- Removal of Inflamed Lining (synovium) in Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Knee, and Ankle
- Torn Ligament Repair
- Removal of Loose Bone or Cartilage in Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Knee and Ankle.
In an arthroscopy, an orthopedic surgeon makes small incisions in the skin and then places in a pencil-sized camera that contains a small lens and lighting system to enable visualization of the structures inside the joint. Light is directed through fiber optics to the end of the arthroscope that is inside the joint. The arthroscope is attached to a mini TV camera where the surgeon is able to see the inside of the joint through this very small incision, instead of a large incision that would be needed during regular surgery. Because arthroscopic surgery uses such small incisions, it is associated with less pain, bleeding, infection risk, and a quicker recovery time than traditional open surgeries.
The camera attached to the arthroscope shows the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the orthopedic surgeon to determine the extent of injury, and then repair or correct the problem.