Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

Southlake Orthopaedics is a multi-specialty orthopedic care provider offering a wide range of services. Our offerings in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL, aid patients in their quest to achieve less pain, more living. When providing personalized care to patients, our team of board-certified orthopedic specialists looks at all possible treatment options. If conservative approaches to treatment have not produced the desired outcomes, our physicians may conclude that surgery is the most appropriate course of action.

When possible, our surgeons use a less invasive approach for surgical procedures, such as arthroscopy. This surgery method uses small incisions and a tiny camera to give doctors a clear view of the inside of the joint to diagnose or treat the problem. Discover more about arthroscopic surgery and what patients throughout central Alabama can expect.

What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to examine and treat a joint’s interior. The technique can be used to diagnose and provide relief for a variety of joint problems, including pain, swelling, stiffness, instability, and other dysfunctions. Arthroscopy is most commonly used on the knee but is also effective on other joints like the ankle, hip, shoulder, wrist, and elbow.

Some acute and chronic conditions where surgeons might recommend arthroscopic procedures include:

Knee injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and meniscus tears
Recurrent dislocation in the shoulder
Rotator cuff tendon tears
Torn ligaments, cartilage, and tendons
Shoulder impingement (when the bones in the shoulder rub against the rotator cuff tendon)
Arthritis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Loose bone or cartilage in the joint

The procedure begins with patients being administered anesthesia. Once the drug has taken effect, the surgeon will insert a small, tube-shaped instrument called an arthroscope through a small incision in the joint. The arthroscope has a video camera and light on the end, which sends interior images of the joint to a flat-screen high-definition monitor to be examined by the surgical team. By viewing the inner workings of the joint in great detail, the surgeon can guide surgical repairs to correct issues and effectively treat the problem.

Why We Use Arthroscopy

The surgery team at Southlake Orthopaedics utilizes arthroscopy because it is generally less difficult on the patient than other surgical options. Because the procedure involves only a tiny incision, patients benefit from faster recovery times. Additionally, a smaller incision results in less blood loss when compared to other surgery methods where larger incisions must be made. This helps to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation after the procedure, along with reducing the likelihood of significant scarring.

Due to its minimally invasive technique, arthroscopic surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that once the post-operative care team has finished monitoring the patient and cleared them, they can return home that same day. Furthermore, many patients can resume work and regular activities within a few days of the surgery.

Potential Complications and Risks

Arthroscopy is deemed a very safe procedure in the orthopedic community and complications are rare. However, as with any type of surgical procedure, there are inherent risks patients need to be aware of.

Potential complications include:

Allergic reaction to the anesthesia
Blood clots of a vein (also called deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
Infection at the incision site
Excessive bleeding or swelling
Damage to the surrounding tissue or nerves

The surgery team at Southlake Orthopaedics performs each arthroscopy with great attention to detail to reduce the threat of complications.

Schedule to Meet With an Orthopedic Surgeon

At Southlake Orthopaedics, we’re proud to provide patients throughout central Alabama with complete orthopedic care. We use the latest advancements in technology and techniques to help you experience less pain, more living.

Our surgeons have the expertise and skills to perform arthroscopic surgery at our on-site orthopedic surgery centers in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL. Contact us today to meet with our orthopedic care team and start living your life to the fullest.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama

What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Why We Use Arthroscopy

Potential Complications and Risks

Schedule to Meet With an Orthopedic Surgeon

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