Arthroscopic Surgery
-
- Tweet
Premier Orthopedics of Fort Worth
Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists & Orthopedic Surgeons located in Fort Worth, TX & Granbury, TX
Arthroscopic surgery is an advanced procedure that makes it possible to repair a joint without making a large incision. With the aid of a high-definition camera and ultrathin surgical instruments, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Kraig Pepper, DO, PA specializes in using arthroscopic surgery to treat a variety of problematic joint conditions, ranging from rotator-cuff repair in the shoulder joint to meniscus repair in the knee joint. To find out more, call his Fort Worth, Texas office today or schedule an appointment online at any time.
Arthroscopic Surgery Q & A
What is arthroscopic surgery?
During arthroscopic surgery, Dr. Pepper makes a small incision about the size of a buttonhole. He then inserts a pencil-sized instrument that contains a small fiber-optic camera lens and light to illuminate and magnify the structures inside your joint.
Because the view from this instrument is transmitted to a high-definition television screen, Dr. Pepper is able to see the inside of your joint from all angles in exceptional detail. As he looks at each of the structures within your joint, he can determine the type and extent of any injury and, if necessary, repair or correct the problem.
To perform joint surgery, Dr. Pepper must make one or more additional small incisions to accommodate the ultrathin surgical instruments used to complete the repair.
What conditions can arthroscopic surgery treat?
Arthroscopic surgery is the least invasive method for diagnosing, treating, and repairing a wide range of joint problems, ranging from joint-lining inflammation to acute injury. It can be used to treat:
- Shoulder-joint injuries, including rotator-cuff tendon tears and impingement
- Knee-joint injuries, including meniscal tears and cruciate-ligament tears
- Wrist-joint problems, including carpal tunnel syndrome
Dr. Pepper can also use arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bone fragments and damaged cartilage from knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and wrist joints.
What are the benefits of arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is an invaluable tool for all orthopedic patients, in that it offers the benefits of minimal scarring, faster recovery, and a greatly reduced risk of infection and post-procedure stiffness.
Dr. Pepper typically performs arthroscopic surgery on an outpatient basis, which means most patients are back home just a few hours after the procedure. Because the incisions are much smaller than those used in traditional open surgery, they heal more quickly and tend to be less painful.
Not having to deal with extensive outward healing allows you to focus on inward healing as your joint recovers. In most cases, Dr. Pepper recommends specific activities or rehabilitative exercises designed to help speed your recovery, promote optimal joint function, and protect future joint integrity.
If you’d like to know more about arthroscopic surgery and its many benefits, call Dr. Pepper’s Fort Worth office today or use the convenient booking tool to schedule an appointment online at any time.
