What is Arthroscopy?
Considering their relatively small diameter and delicacy of the bones, ankles are two of the body's strongest workhorses. They provide an enormous amount of support, allow the feet to rotate in nearly every direction, and are essential to balance. Ankle injuries and conditions, including swollen ankles and sprained ankles are among the top work-related disorders.
An arthroscope is a small tube with a system of lenses, a small video camera, and a viewing light. The camera connects to a monitoring system that allows surgeons to view the operation while they’re performing it. By using an arthroscope and small surgical instruments, the surgeon can diagnose the condition and repair the joint by making only 1/4-inch incisions. This new technology makes shoulder arthroscopy, knee arthroscopy, hip arthroscopy, and ankle arthroscopy possible.
This technique has completely transformed sports medicine - surgeons can now work inside the joint and make repairs without surgically opening the joint. Common sports-related orthopedic disorders frequently treated by arthroscopy include:
- Repair or resection of torn cartilage from the knee or shoulder
- Reconstruction of the knee’s ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- Reconstruction of the shoulder's rotator cuff
- Removal of inflamed lining or loose bone or cartilage in the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist or ankle
- Repair of torn ligaments
Most patients have their arthroscopic procedures performed as outpatients and are home within hour of the surgery.
Our sports medicine specialists will customize a specific activity and rehabilitation program for you to speed recovery and protect future joint function.