Orthopedic surgery has advanced diagnostic procedures for Marble Falls patients to diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans. One of these diagnostic methods is called arthroscopy. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to look inside the joint to diagnose problems that might not be visible with just an X-ray.
Procedure
Arthroscopy is an orthopedic surgery procedure which your Marble Falls doctor will perform to help diagnose problems inside of your joint. For the procedure, a miniature scope will be inserted into the joint through tiny incisions made by the surgeon. Arthroscopy is less invasive than surgeries with larger incisions. There are fewer side effects, such as the chance of infection, and the recovery time is also shorter for patients.
Conditions Treated
Doctors use arthroscopy to diagnose and treat a number of joint conditions, including those involving the shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, ankle, and wrist. This procedure can be used to treat injuries where damage has occurred to tendons, bones, cartilage, tendons, and muscles. Many times, ligaments and tendons can be repaired through arthroscopy, saving the patient from having major surgery to repair joint damage.
What to Expect
If your Marble Falls doctor determines that arthroscopy is the necessary orthopedic surgery treatment for you, he will go over with you what you can expect during the procedure. Arthroscopy is generally performed on an out-patient basis, though occasionally, an overnight hospital stay may be required. For surgery, you will be sedated or given a local anesthetic. Your limb will be elevated to reduce the blood flow to the joint during the procedure, and after surgery, the doctor may inject the site with medication to reduce pain and inflammation. Often, recovery time may take only a few days. During this time, the doctor may restrict your activities to allow your body time to heal properly from the procedure. In any case, arthroscopy is far less invasive than other types of orthopedic surgery in Marble Falls.
If you have hip, shoulder, knee, elbow, hip, ankle, and wrist problems; arthroscopy may be a beneficial procedure for you. You should schedule an orthopedic surgery consultation to review all the details and benefits of the procedure. It is best to have diagnostic treatments such as arthroscopy performed as soon as possible after an injury to decrease the time it takes your body to recover from the injury.
