Arthroscopy is a method
of seeing into a joint so that it can be
closely examined and internal surgery can
be performed on it, if necessary. Arthroscopy
is now a standard way of dealing with many
joint problems. It is mainly used on the
knee joint, but is also used on several
other joints.
Why it should
be done
Arthroscopy is done
when it is necessary to know exactly what
is happening within a joint and what can
best be done to put it right.
Arthroscopy is a valuable
method of treating arthritic joints, especially
the knee, and there are real advantages
to using this method. The view of the interior
of the joint is excellent and small detail
can be made out. This provides an ideal
way to get an accurate diagnosis. Surgeons
don't like opening joints widely because
they know how sensitive joints are to the
slightest infection. Joints can be seriously
damaged by infection, so anything that minimises
this risk is valuable. Surgery performed
by arthroscopy has a low complication rate
and the patient can return to full activity
more rapidly than after older forms of surgery.
How it is performed
The arthroscope is
a narrow metal tube with several ports allowing
illumination of the inside of the joint,
a viewing channel, and a passage through
which various sterile instruments, some
of them motorised, may be passed into the
joint. The arthroscope also enables a joint
to be washed out easily, and this in itself
may be valuable. An arthritic joint often
contains loose bodies that interfere with
smooth movement. These are trapped in the
joint but are easy to remove through an
arthroscope. Many kinds of arthritis involve
a damaging thickening of an internal membrane
called the synovium. Removal of excess synovium
(synovectomy) is more easily done by arthroscopy,
and with much less trouble to the patient,
than was the case with earlier methods.
Surgeons use a motorised cutter to perform
this operation. It is often done to improve
the condition of patients with rheumatoid
arthritis and those with the genetic disorder
haemophilia whose joints have been damaged
by repeated internal bleeding.
Arthroscopic examination
and surgery can be performed under local
or general anaesthesia. It is usually necessary
to manipulate the joint externally while
the arthroscopy is in progress.
Recovery
Recovery after arthroscopic
surgery this is much more rapid than from
former conventional surgery.
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Arthroscopy
