Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows visual examination of the interior of a joint with an arthroscope to diagnose or treat various conditions or injuries of a joint, and especially to repair or remove damaged or diseased tissue or bone. It involves small incisions for the scope and instruments, causing less damage to connective tissue.
How Does Arthroscopy Work in Diagnosing Lameness?
Arthroscopy assists in diagnosing lameness by providing a direct view inside the joint. A tiny camera and light are inserted through a small incision in the skin, and a tiny surgical instrument is inserted through another cut nearby. The surgeon performs the operation, guided by the images sent back via the fiber-optic cable.
What are the benefits of using arthroscopy for diagnosis?
Arthroscopy offers several benefits, including being minimally invasive, which means less damage to connective tissue. Arthroscopy allows for direct visual examination, aiding in accurate diagnosis, and most patients can walk out of the hospital on crutches the same day.
What types of joint conditions can arthroscopy diagnose?
Arthroscopy can diagnose various joint conditions, including injuries and tissue or bone diseases. Arthron means "joint" in Greek. Arthritis is a condition of swollen and painful joints, and arthropods are animals (including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) that have a segmented body and jointed limbs.
What is the recovery process like after arthroscopy?
While most patients can walk out of the hospital on crutches the same day, full recovery may take a couple of months.
Arthroscopy is a valuable tool for diagnosing and treating joint problems. Want to discover more about specific applications of arthroscopy in different joints?