Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopic Surgery

Most sports-related injuries such as ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears, meniscal tears, rotator cuff tears, Bankart’s lesions, and other ligament injuries are now treated using a minimally invasive procedure known as arthroscopy. Arthroscopic surgery involves entering the joint through a small keyhole incision using a 4 mm camera called an arthroscope.

The arthroscope allows the surgeon to visualize all internal joint structures in a fluid medium, enabling both diagnosis and treatment to be performed in the same procedure. While arthroscopy initially gained popularity for knee injuries, it is now widely used to treat conditions of the shoulder, elbow, ankle, wrist, and hip joints.

Similar to laparoscopic surgery in abdominal procedures, arthroscopic surgery applies endoscopic techniques to joints. Most knee and shoulder surgeries are now performed arthroscopically, avoiding the need for large incisions.

Since the joint is not opened fully, patients experience minimal pain, negligible blood loss, and almost no post-operative stiffness. This makes arthroscopy particularly beneficial for athletes and physically active individuals.

One of the biggest advantages of arthroscopic surgery is early recovery. Patients typically recover within three to six weeks, and most athletes can resume training and sports activities within three to four months after surgery.

Arthroscopy is most commonly used for knee ligament repairs, meniscal injuries, and cartilage damage. In the shoulder joint, it is used to treat rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, Bankart’s lesions, and recurrent shoulder dislocations. The technique is also increasingly being applied to elbow, wrist, and ankle joint problems.

As awareness among patients grows, arthroscopic surgery has become the treatment of choice for joint and sports injuries due to its precision, faster rehabilitation, and excellent functional outcomes.