ARTHROSCOPY
Arthroscopy technique is born after the early works of a japanese surgeon, WATANABE. Technology improved progressively surgical instruments (punch, shaver etc) and videoscopes with camera.
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Arthroscopy allowes the surgeon to look, palpate, and evaluate with precision anatomical lesions and
to treat them through two or three punctiform skin incisions. |
Ankle |
Knee |
Arthroscopic procedures actually allowes better intraarticular visualization and ease of operative technique.
The risk of complications as infection, hématoma is decreased, the same as pain, and hospital stay.
Rehabilitation is facilitated.
ISAKOS is the international board that groups the surgeons involved in this technique.
INSTRUMENTATION
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The arthroscope is introduced through a skin incision of 5 mm. The videocamera fixed on
the sheath allowes the surgeon (and even the patient) to get the intra articular vision on a TV screen. |
Grasp punch |
Rasp |
Suture
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Palpator |
Basket punch |
Shaver |
INDICATIONS
Small instrumentation is available to perform arthroscopy even in pediatric surgery. All the joints may be
explored with an arthroscope even wrist, ankle, or foot joints. Knee and shoulder are the two main joints
concerned with the technique, followed by ankle, elbow. Wrist and hip arthroscopy are more demanding technicaly.
Through arthroscopy we may remove any third mobile body, a meniscal lesion, a synovial tumor,
reconstrucct a ligament, treat a cartilage lesion, remove adherences, clean and drain an infected
joint, reduce and control a fracture and perform an osteosynthesis, etc.
CHECK-UP BEFORE SURGERY
In order to detect vital risk for anesthesiology, and to assess a potential risk of post-operative complication in a short or long term follow-up, a medical questionnaire checking list is needed before the operation , to be planed by the surgeon and his team.
Risk factors influencing complications are :
- Obesity is associated with a higher risk of infection and operative difficulties with the risk of
brakage of instruments.
- Diabetis is associated with a higher risk of infection
- Previous infection of the joint is associated with a higher risk of infection
Factors increasing risks for medical complications
- American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores > 3 is at risk.
- Previous algo neuro dystrophy may be a recurrent risk.
- Previous deep veinous thrombosis is a predisposing factor to recurrent episode.
SURGERY
The length of arthroscopy varies with the type of surgical act. When doing ligament, tendon, or
bone treatment, the surgeon may explain to you the technique he will use.
Hospitalisation stay and rehabilitation will depend on the type of surgey performed.
COMPLICATIONS
Even with a carefull act performed by perfectly trained team, any complications may happen the same
as in all surgical acts.
These are exceptionnal. The list below is not exhaustive
Infection : is one of the most dreaded complications, but is extremely rare as
arthroscopy is performed under a continuous liquid flow through only small incisions (1/2500). In case of
infection the joint is burning, red, swelling and very painfull; you must comme back immediateley to
be examined by the surgeon. Reoperation is necessary.
Synovial kyst : along the incision. Sometimes it is necessary to remove it surgicaly.
Post-operative swelling : This is not a complication as it desappeares spontaneously
in one to three weeks. You may use coldpacks, anti-inflammatory medications, and reduce active physiotherapy.
Vascular lesion : Hematoma may be seen in case of small veinous lesion at skin incision;
this has no consequence.
Some extremely rare popliteal vascular lesions have been published; Treatment must be performed by vascular surgeon.
nerve lesion : local superficial dysesthesy may be seen in case of lesion round skin
incision ; this has no consequence and desappear s but could be awkward complete lesion of sciatic nerve may
occur postoperatively as a result of nerve compression secondary to edema, hematoma, infection,
or the application of long duration of tourniquet.
Phlebitis : preventive mesure (early mobilisation, anti-thrombotic socks, low Weight
Molecular Heparin anti-embolic prophylaxis for one to four weeks according to the surgery.
Complex regional pain syndrome : is a disorder characterized by the presence
of symptoms as temperature alterations, abnormal skin color, abnormal sudomotor activity, and/or edema.
The estimated prevalences have ranged from 2.3% to 4% following arthroscopic knee surgery.
Last updated : 9/12/2007
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ARTHROSCOPY | |
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MENISCUS PATHOLOGY | |
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INTRA-ARTICULAR FRACTURES | |
| . Tibial Eminence Fracture | ||