Benefits of Arthroscopy

Joint pain is common. Getting an accurate diagnosis is an essential step in finding an effective pain management plan, but uncovering the root cause of joint pain isn’t always easy.

That’s where minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery can help. Arthroscopy is a type of exploratory surgery that gives orthopedic surgeons the ability to see and accurately diagnose joint problems, without the need for open surgery.

As a top orthopedic surgeon, Chris Boone, MD specializes in the latest surgical techniques, including arthroscopy. He often recommends this flexible surgical technique to our hip and knee patients to increase their chances of successful joint treatment. A few of the key benefits of arthroscopy are…

Arthroscopy offers increased diagnostic accuracy

Treating joint pain often starts with identifying the root cause. However, joint pain can be caused by damage or disease, affecting bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or a combination, which can make finding the cause of your pain a challenge.

Dr. Boone and our team begin by reviewing your symptoms and performing a comprehensive physical exam. We may order diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to narrow down possible conditions.

To confirm a diagnosis, arthroscopy may be recommended. Arthroscopy is extremely useful in diagnostics because the procedure gives Dr. Boone an inside look at your joint to see exactly what’s going on.

Orthopedic surgeons frequently use arthroscopy to diagnose problems in hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Dr. Boone and our team specialize in treating conditions causing hip pain and knee pain.

Arthroscopy can treat certain conditions

An arthroscopy is primarily a diagnostic tool because it allows Dr. Boone to see inside your joint without necessitating open surgery. In some cases, we can treat the problem at the same time.

Two common hip problems that Dr. Boone regularly treats with the help of arthroscopy include femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tear. FAI is an abnormal bone growth on one or both bones in your hip socket, which can cause pain and joint damage. A labral tear is a tear in the cartilage that supports your hip joint, causing joint weakness and pain.

Along with these hip conditions, Dr. Boone may be able to treat inflammation or remove loose bone fragments during arthroscopy. More severe conditions, like torn ligaments or torn cartilage, may require a combination of arthroscopic and standard surgery for a full repair.

Arthroscopy is minimally invasive surgery

One of the biggest benefits of arthroscopy is that it’s a minimally invasive surgical technique. Depending on the type of arthroscopy you need, our team may administer local or general anesthesia for your procedure. The only incision that’s required is about the size of a buttonhole.

Dr. Boone passes a pencil-sized tube with a fibre-optic camera through the single incision, and the camera projects images onto a nearby screen. He views the images of your joint to diagnose your condition and if possible, repairs the condition at the same time.

Small incisions and specialized surgical tools mean that recovery from arthroscopy doesn’t take as long as recovering from traditional open surgery. There’s less risk of blood loss, pain, and other complications, and you can expect to return to light activity within a few days.

If you’re living with joint pain and conservative treatments aren’t making a difference in your life, it’s time to find a different solution. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Boone and learn more about the benefits of arthroscopy.