Minimally Invasive Surgery
If you are suffering from joint pain, whether it is the knee or the shoulder, at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists we offer a range of therapies to treat it and get you back to health. Different cases require different methods, and when OTC medication or physical therapy is not enough, Dr. William Ashford can recommend minimally invasive surgery like arthroscopy.
Minimally invasive surgery is a preferred option because of its short recovery time and virtually painless procedure and aftercare.
To find out if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, reach us at our Athens or Loganville, GA, locations or book an appointment online today.
What Is Minimally Invasive Surgery or Arthroscopy?
Minimally invasive surgery consists of an alternative method to standard open surgical techniques where the surgeon makes smaller incisions and works with tiny tools. It is one of the greatest advances in orthopedic surgery of the 20th century as it results in less postoperative swelling and reduces pain, risks of complications and recovery times.
Initially a diagnostic tool, it has evolved to a therapeutic tool to treat a wide range of injuries and disorders. For athletes with potentially career-ending injuries, arthroscopy can now address them and allow the individual to return back to function more quickly.
What Arthroscopies Does Ashford Orthopedic Specialists Offer?
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Common shoulder arthroscopic procedures include:
- Rotator cuff repair.
- Removal or repair of the labrum.
- Repair of ligaments.
- Removal of inflamed tissue or loose cartilage.
- Repair for recurrent shoulder dislocation (chronic shoulder instability).
To find out more about shoulder arthroscopy, click here.
Knee Arthroscopy
Common issues that can be treated with knee arthroscopy include:
- Torn meniscus.
- Torn or damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
- Swollen (inflamed) or damaged lining of the joint.
- Kneecap (patella) that is out of position (misalignment).
- Small pieces of broken cartilage in the knee joint.
- Removal of a Baker cyst.
- Repair or reconstruction of defects in cartilage.
- Some fractures of the bones of the knee.
To find more about knee arthroscopy, click here.
How Do We Do It?
Overview
Arthroscopy is performed through an arthroscope, a surgical instrument approximately the diameter of a pencil. A fiberoptic scope fitted with a light source and a minicamera connected to a screen, the surgeon introduces it in the joint to get a view of the injury. This allows the doctor to perform a diagnosis and, based on it, surgical repairs.
Surgical repairs are performed using precision tools smaller than those utilized in traditional open surgeries.
Preparation
Depending on the kind of minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ashford applies local anesthesia to numb the area and minimize discomfort. He then inserts the arthroscope through the incision and watches the images that it captures on an HD monitor.
If the joint needs repair, he can do it in real time by inserting the tiny instruments through the incisions and using the image on the screen for guidance.
While arthroscopy has many advantages over traditional approaches, the latter can still be needed in certain cases. Before considering minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ashford helps patients explore alternative treatment options such as injections, physical therapy, and oral medication.
Recovery from Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Ashford will prescribe medication to minimize pain and swelling, as well as give you instructions on how to care for your joint. These instructions can include applying cold therapy (ice) or the use of protective slings and bandages.
In the majority of cases, patients are back to their normal activities within a month, and already up and walking within the first week after the procedure. In addition to medication, he might prescribe physical therapy to regain function and strengthen the joint.
“Dr Ashford has been great to work with throughout my procedure. My experience has been better than I expected. I am very pleased with Ashford Orthopedics and have and will recommend Dr Ashford for any orthopedic needs.” —Charles R.
Why Is It Beneficial?
Minimally invasive surgery carries several advantages for patients whose needs can be addressed with it, including:
- Faster healing and recovery.
- Rehabilitation begins earlier.
- Faster return to activities.
- Less postoperative pain and swelling.
- Less scarring.
- Less bleeding.
- Lower risk of complications, such as infection and arthrofibrosis.
- Performed in an outpatient setting, reducing costs and avoiding overnight hospital stay.
When assessing whether you are a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ashford will go over your medical history and ask questions regarding your health. During this consultation, he will also listen to and address any concern you might have. You might need to stop certain medications or take other steps to ensure the success of the procedure.
If you are experiencing joint pain or have sustained an injury and would like more information about minimally invasive surgery, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book a personalized appointment online today.