Arthroscopy (Keyhole)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon offering Athroscopy (keyhole)
Arthroscopic Keyhole Surgery in Birmingham
Prof Prakash specialises predominantly in knee and hip joint surgery especially for young adults (age 20-65). He routinely performs surgery related to sports injuries and arthritis and one of his key focuses is on Arthroscopic (keyhole) Surgery./p>
Arthroscopy Keyhole Surgery
An Arthroscopic Keyhole Surgery involves the use of a device called an arthroscope to examine the joints. This is a thin, metal tube about the length and width of a drinking straw that contains a light source and a camera. Images are sent from the arthroscope to a video screen so the surgeon is able to see inside the joint.
Knee arthroscopy is an effective tool in diagnosing joint conditions and for confirming treatment for knee problems such as meniscus tears and cartilage wear. An arthroscopy can ultimately provide relief from knee pain and improve mobility. Maintaining a normal and active lifestyle with greater comfort is a key benefit of this procedure.
Arthroscopy is usually performed for:
- Treating torn or floating cartilage (meniscus)
- Torn surface (articular) cartilage
- Removal of loose bodies (cartilage or bone that has broken off) and cysts
- Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Patello-femoral (knee-cap) disorders
Meniscal cartilage tears may result either from a sporting injury or may occur from a simple twist of the knee. Cartilages usually become a little brittle as we get older and therefore can tear a little easier. The symptoms of a torn cartilage include: pain over the torn area, knee swelling, reduced motion, locking of the knee and stiffness. Torn cartilages in general continue to cause symptoms until the loose pieces are removed. Only the torn section is removed arthroscopically and the knee should then recover and become symptom free.
Procedure
The arthroscope is inserted through a small cut in the skin made next to the joint. Further small incisions may also be made to allow an examining probe or surgical instruments to be inserted.
The procedure is usually performed as a day case.
A video clip of arthroscopy has been included here to demonstrate to you the clarity with which we are able to see the details of the knee joint, and also demonstrate how we are able to access even the remote part of the joint with our tools.
Request an appointment
