Arthroscopy

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Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy

Video: Arthroscopy

Video: Arthroscopy
Video: Knee Arthroscopy - Teaching Video 2024, March
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Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a reflection of a joint using camera optics - the arthroscope. Most larger joints (especially the knee, shoulder, hip, and wrist) can be examined with an arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is one of the so-called minimally invasive interventions (buttonhole technique). The camera and additional instruments are inserted into the joint cavity through small incisions in the skin. In contrast to open interventions, the tissue damage is significantly less and the healing process is shortened. In addition to examining the respective joint (diagnostic arthroscopy), it is also possible to perform an operation (therapeutic arthroscopy) immediately afterwards…

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  • When is an arthroscopy necessary?
  • What preparations are required?
  • How is the examination performed?
  • What are the side effects / complications?
  • Where is arthroscopy done?
  • How are the costs going to be covered?

When is an arthroscopy necessary?

If a joint is damaged, either through trauma (especially a tear or tear in the ligaments or the joint capsule) or through wear and tear (especially damage to the articular cartilage), an exact diagnosis is required - in addition to imaging measures such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT - often necessary to look inside the joint cavity. If damage is found, in many cases arthroscopic surgery can be performed during the same procedure.

What preparations are required?

Before a planned joint arthroscopy, an orthopedic or trauma surgical examination of the affected joint is required. In most cases, an imaging diagnosis using X-rays, ultrasound, CT or MRI is carried out before the procedure. Your doctor treating you will explain in detail the risks, side effects and complications of arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy is performed under general or partial anesthesia (eg "cross stitch"), which a specialist in anesthesia will explain to you separately. A short hospital stay is required for the procedure.

Danger! To avoid major bleeding during and after the procedure, it is necessary to stop taking blood-thinning medication (Marcoumar, Sintrom, Thrombo Ass) a few days before the planned procedure! Your doctor will inform you in good time.

How is the examination performed?

In order to avoid a joint infection, the procedure is carried out under strict sterile conditions in the operating room. In order to be able to better assess the joint space and to avoid major blood loss, the blood supply above the respective joint must sometimes be briefly interrupted using an inflatable cuff ("tourniquet") - this tourniquet sometimes leads to nerve and muscle damage and is therefore only used when absolutely necessary.

The arthroscope, which is between 2.7 and four millimeters thick, is inserted directly into the joint cavity through a small incision in the skin. Connected to this is a rinsing and suction system with which liquid is first filled into the joint so that the joint capsule unfolds completely and the joint structures are optimally visible. In most cases, further access to the joint is required, through which instruments (tactile hooks, pliers, scissors, burs, etc.) are introduced.

Finally, the joint is rinsed and the rinsing liquid is sucked off. In many cases, a drain (a thin plastic tube with several openings on the side of the joint and a collecting vessel with vacuum outside the joint) is inserted to drain the wound fluid and thus avoid infection. However, since bacteria can also penetrate the wound through the opening that remains in the skin after the drainage has been removed and lead to an infection, the drainage is only used when it is absolutely necessary. The instruments are then removed, the skin incisions sutured and the joint connected.

What are the side effects / complications?

Arthroscopy is a routine, low-risk procedure. However, the following complications can arise:

  • Bleeding from injury to larger blood vessels.
  • Nerve injuries, which in rare cases can lead to permanent paralysis and abnormal sensations.
  • Persistent pain (e.g., post-menisectomy syndrome).
  • Infections that may require the use of antibiotics.
  • Allergic reactions from disinfectants, pain relievers, or other drugs.
  • Thrombosis and / or pulmonary embolism, if blood clots form (thrombosis) and are carried into the lungs (embolism) as a result of the congestion of blood or the length of time spent in hospital.

Where is arthroscopy done?

Arthroscopy is most often performed in hospitals with orthopedic or trauma surgery departments. The preliminary examinations are often carried out by specialists in orthopedics or trauma surgery. A medical referral is required.

  • You can find specialists for orthopedics or trauma surgery in your area under Services: Doctor search.
  • You can find hospitals (with departments for orthopedics or trauma surgery) in your area under Clinic search.

How are the costs going to be covered?

You will need a doctor's referral / referral for an arthroscopy. This is valid for one month from the date of issue. The costs of an arthroscopy are covered by your health insurance company.