Here, we present a summary of information on the topic of surgery options. This information is not meant as a substitute for advice, diagnosis, and treatment by a healthcare specialist.
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Today's advanced orthopaedic surgeon has many revolutionary surgery options available for the best results in their surgical operations. Some of these options are: Arthroscopic Surgery, Advanced Arthroscopic Surgery, Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair, ACL Reconstruction, Computer Assisted Surgery, and Minimal Incision Surgery. Following is an explanation of these surgical advances.
Surgery involving the use of a special camera attached to a long, narrow surgical telescope to visualize the inside of a joint is called Arthroscopic Surgery. The surgeon uses specially created instruments to repair damaged cartilage, capsule, tendon, and other tissues working through small incisions about the size of dress shirt buttonholes. For improved visualization, as well as allowing photographic and videographic documentation of the surgical findings and the procedure performed, the camera transmits the signal to a video monitor. Arthroscopy was first used in orthopaedic surgery to treat conditions of the knee. With new advances in technology and a refinement of techniques, arthroscopic surgery has become quite common in treating many knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, and foot problems.
Advanced Arthroscopic Surgery utilizes the latest arthroscopic technology and state-of-the-art laser instruments which are considered the most effective for advanced arthroscopic surgery. Since the wavelength from the tightly controlled laser produces a thermal effect of less than one millimeter, trauma to the body's tissues is miniscule.
Initially, arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff disease consisted of rotator cuff inspection and debridement and arthroscopic acromioplasty. For patients where a repairable rotator cuff tear was discovered, an open or “mini-open” repair of the tendon was then performed. With the improvement of surgeons’ skills, and with more specialized instrumentation, it became possible to fix relatively small tears using arthroscopic techniques to insert anchors, pass sutures, and tie knots. Now, it is not uncommon for surgeons who perform shoulder arthroscopy routinely to repair even large rotator cuff tears using these techniques.
A surgery which tightens the knee and restores its stability is referred to as ACL Reconstruction. This surgery also helps patients to avoid further injury and get back to playing sports. Following ACL reconstruction, the patient will need to do rehabilitation exercises to gradually return the knee to full flexibility and stability. To help support the reconstructed structure, the patient will need to work to build strength in the thigh and calf muscles. A knee brace may be needed for awhile, and the patient will probably have to stay out of sports for about one year after the surgery.
To help surgeons apply their skills to the utmost advantage for patients undergoing joint replacement, a growing number of surgeons are using camera-computer systems. This aid allows the surgeon to operate with smaller incisions and greater precision.
Alignment of the patient's bones and joint implants is achieved with a greater degree of accuracy than is possible with the naked eye through the use of the computer-assisted surgery. Surgeons now have detailed information allowing them to balance the ligaments, and it is given to them before they make the necessary cuts. Smaller incisions, rather than the traditional larger openings, are utilized due to the computer assistance. Patients are now experiencing faster recovery, less bleeding, and less pain due to the small-incision surgery, referred to as minimally invasive surgery.
Surgery patients today often experience minimal incision surgery which lets the surgeon perform surgery through one or two smaller incisions...as opposed to an open procedure where a longer incision is made and more of the tissues surrounding the joint are cut and require healing following the surgery. As both the traditional and minimally invasive procedures are technically demanding, they require that the surgeon and operating team have considerable experience.
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