Arthroscopy: Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery

Joint pain can significantly impact your life, keeping you from the activities you love. At Beaufort Memorial, we offer advanced treatment options like arthroscopy to help you get back on track quickly.

Ready to take the next step toward a pain-free life? Call us at 843-522-5485 and request an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon today, or explore a full range of treatments at one of our free Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminars.

What Is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery that allows our orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat an injury or condition within a joint. They use a small camera called an arthroscope — equipped with a fiber optic light — through tiny incisions (often the size of a buttonhole) to insert the arthroscope and specialized surgical instruments. This procedure is less invasive than traditional open surgery.

Many people wonder, "Is arthroscopy a major orthopedic surgery?" While it is a surgical procedure, it's considered minimally invasive compared to traditional open surgery, which often requires larger incisions. This approach typically means less pain and a faster recovery for you.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

Choosing arthroscopic surgery at Beaufort Memorial offers several benefits for your journey back to your active life and the activities you love:

• Less pain — Minimally invasive techniques require only a few small incisions, which can result in less postoperative pain compared to open surgery.
• Faster recovery — With smaller incisions, your body typically recovers more quickly, allowing you to return to your daily routine sooner.
• Potential to avoid joint replacement — For some joint conditions, arthroscopy can address the issue, potentially helping you avoid the need for a joint replacement later in life.

Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Beaufort Memorial specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of joint conditions using arthroscopic procedures. These include common issues affecting your knees, shoulders and more.

Knee Conditions

Arthroscopic knee surgery is commonly performed for various conditions, including:

• ACL, MCL and other ligament injuries
• Chondromalacia (wearing or injury of the knee cartilage cushion)
• Loose bone fragments and cartilage in the knee
• Patellar instability
• Torn meniscus (an injury to the cartilage between the thighbone and the shinbone)

Shoulder Conditions

Arthroscopy is highly effective for many shoulder issues, such as:

• Bicep tendon injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Shoulder impingement syndrome
• Shoulder instability, including torn labrums

Elbow, Hand, Wrist, Foot and Ankle Conditions

Beyond common joint issues in the shoulder and knee, arthroscopic procedures are also used to diagnose and treat a variety of small joint issues, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tennis elbow
• Fractures
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cysts
• Bone spurs
• Ankle stability

What to Expect with Arthroscopy

Understanding what to expect before, during and after your arthroscopy procedure can help you feel more prepared and confident on your journey to recover.

Before Your Procedure

We believe in a supportive approach focused on addressing your joint pain and exploring treatment options. Our goal is to ensure you are fully prepared and educated heading into your procedure. This preparation may include educational classes where you learn what to expect and exercises to practice.

During Your Procedure

Arthroscopic surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to leave the hospital the same day and recover comfortably at home.

After Your Procedure

Following arthroscopic surgery, you will typically recover comfortably at home, as most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. The recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure performed and your individual healing process. Our dedicated physical and occupational therapists will work closely with you to create a personalized rehabilitation plan. This plan is designed to help you regain as much mobility, flexibility and strength in your joints as possible.

Your physical therapy team will also communicate regularly with your surgeon to ensure you are progressing well and feeling like yourself again. While arthroscopy is generally less painful than traditional surgery, discomfort can vary depending on the individual and the extent of the procedure. Your care team will provide pain management approaches to keep you comfortable during your recovery.

Ready to Address Your Joint Pain?

If joint pain is keeping you from what you need or love to do, Beaufort Memorial is here to help. Our orthopedic surgeons are ready to discuss whether arthroscopic surgery is the right treatment option for you.

Call us at 843-522-5485 and request an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon today, or explore a full range of treatments at one of our free Solving Hip and Knee Pain seminars.