In arthroscopy, a camera with a bright light is placed inside the joint through 2-3 very small incisions (5-7 mm each). The surgeon is able to get a magnified screen image to make an assessment of the joint and then restore the lesion using specifically designed very small tools.
Patients undergo local, general or spinal anesthesia, depending on their preferences and medical history, as well as on the condition of the joint.
Upon exiting the operating room, the patient requires little or no analgesia and antibiotic prophylaxis.
Hospitalization time is usually 1 day.
Recovery time varies depending on the type and severity of the condition.
This technique permits quick joint mobilization to avoid stiffness and/or muscle atrophy.
The complication rate of arthroscopy is below 1% when the procedure is carried out by specially trained orthopedic surgeons.
