Arthroscopic Surgery in Carrollton, GA
At Carrollton Orthopaedic Clinic, our Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons specialize in arthroscopic surgery for patients of all ages near Douglasville, Hiram, Carrollton, Bremen, and Dallas, GA. At our clinic, patients are cared for by a surgeon through every step of the treatment process. We use state-of-the-art arthroscopy equipment to treat pain and injuries of the shoulder, spine, wrist and more. For more information or to schedule a consultation for arthroscopic surgery, contact our office at (770) 834-0873.
What Is Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint.
The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, "arthro" (joint) and "skopein" (to look). The term literally means "to look within the joint." In an arthroscopic examination, an orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in the patient's skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. Light is transmitted through fiber optics to the end of the arthroscope that is inserted into the joint. By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature television camera, the surgeon is able to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than a large incision needed for surgery.
The camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on a monitor, allowing the surgeon to look, for example, throughout the knee. This lets the surgeon see the cartilage, ligaments, and under the kneecap. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury and then repair or correct the problem, if it is necessary.
Why Is Arthroscopy Necessary?
Diagnosing joint injuries and disease begins with a thorough review of the patient's medical history, physical examination, and usually X-rays. Additional tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may also be needed. Through the arthroscope, a final diagnosis is made, which may be more accurate than through "open" surgery or from X-ray studies.
Disease and injuries can damage bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Some of the most frequent conditions found during arthroscopic examinations of joints are:
- Inflammation
- Injury – acute and chronic
- Loose bodies of bone and/or cartilage - knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, or wrist
- Synovitis - inflamed lining (synovium) in the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or ankle
Although the inside of nearly all joints can be viewed with an arthroscope, six joints are most frequently examined with this instrument. These include the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and wrist. As advances are made in fiberoptic technology and new techniques are developed by orthopaedic surgeons, other joints may be treated more frequently in the future.
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