ARTHROSCOPY – ARTHROSCOPY FOR FASTER RECOVERY

Using arthroscopy to look into the shoulder joint in a minimally invasive way means that degenerative, inflammatory or traumatic concomitant injuries or damage can be assessed and corrected at the same time. Classic mechanical constriction problems such as impingement can be reliably corrected using fine instruments. For example, a bursa, which is often inflamed and stuck together, can be carefully loosened and completely or partially removed during arthroscopy. A tear in the tendons of the rotator cuff can be sutured. The orthopaedic specialist and shoulder expert will also treat deformities such as bony spurs on the acromion to restore the ideal acromion shape. If necessary, a final joint lavage will ensure that the joint is free of small calcium and bone particles and can move freely again.

Arthroscopy of the shoulder can be useful for the following indications as triggers for shoulder pain:

• Calcium deposits
• Bottleneck problems
• Tears in the rotator cuff
• Shoulder instabilities
• Frozen shoulder
• In the early stages of shoulder osteoarthritis

During shoulder arthroscopy, the patient is placed under a gentle, shallow general anaesthetic, which is combined with a so-called pain block. You will not feel any pain. Even after the procedure, there is usually little discomfort, as the minimal incisions cause minimal trauma to the tissue and joint. The joint can therefore be loaded again at an early stage.

Active athletes and young people who want to be fit again quickly particularly benefit from hip arthroscopy. However, hip arthroscopy is also particularly demanding. This is because the hip joint is located deep in the body. Arthroscopy therefore requires longer instruments. In addition, a special extension table is set up in the operating theatre because the surgeon has to pull the joint apart slightly during the procedure. Absolute precision and a great deal of experience are particularly important in arthroscopy of the hip, which is why only highly experienced specialists are allowed to perform the procedure.

Hip arthroscopy can be useful for these indications:

• Injury to the joint labrum
• Free joint bodies
• Disease of the synovial membrane
• Cartilage damage or cartilage injuries following accidents
• Hip arthrosis in the early stages Femoroacetabular impingement
• Unclear hip pain
• Infections of the hip joint
• Degenerative changes
• Dysplasia

During hip arthroscopy, the patient is placed under a gentle, shallow general anaesthetic, which is combined with a so-called pain block. You will not feel any pain.

The decision to perform an arthroscopy of the elbow is usually made against the background that it is highly likely that further intervention will be necessary to restore full function of the elbow and freedom from pain for the client. In the case of some injuries or an unstable elbow, regular examinations are usually not sufficient to make a reliable diagnosis. For example, a diagnostic elbow arthroscopy is carried out before the actual ligament reconstruction of the elbow to determine the findings. If instability is reliably detected during this procedure, open ligament reconstruction is performed in the same session.

Elbow arthroscopy can be useful for these diagnoses:

• Mild to moderate cartilage damage
• Cartilage damage in young patients
• Inflammation of the synovial membrane
• Free joint bodies (joint mouse)
• Instability of the elbow joint
• Restricted elbow mobility in the early stages of elbow osteoarthritis

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic in combination with pain blockers. This means you feel no pain. Almost all elbow arthroscopies can be performed as a short inpatient procedure. There is usually very little discomfort after the operation. If no ligament reconstruction has been performed, the joint can be loaded again very early. If ligament reconstruction has taken place, it may be necessary to stabilise the arm with an orthosis.

Wrist endoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is now part of routine clinical practice. There have been rapid developments in recent years, particularly in the area of therapeutic procedures, which can replace so-called “open procedures” in many cases.

The spectrum ranges from the reconstruction of ligament injuries of the carpus, endoscopically assisted minimally invasive procedures for fractures of the carpus to the treatment of instabilities of the carpus.