Arthroscopic Surgery Center

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that offers orthopedic surgeons the ability to access, navigate, and operate on a given joint through very small incisions. TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine is pleased to offer arthroscopic surgery for the shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, and elbow.

What is Arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopy comes from the Greek words arthro, meaning “joint,” and skopein, meaning “to look.” Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique used by orthopedic surgeons to look inside a joint to diagnose and treat joint problems. You might also hear arthroscopic surgery referred to as a joint scope.

In an arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon inserts the arthroscope, an instrument containing a lens and fiber optic lighting system, through a small incision in the patient’s skin. The arthroscope is then attached to a very small television camera, which displays the view from the arthroscope on a television screen in the operating room.

This magnified view allows the orthopedic surgeon to see and explore the interior of the joint to diagnose the severity or type of injury. Initially, arthroscopic surgery was only used as a diagnostic tool, but today many conditions and injuries can also be repaired arthroscopically.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

Compare to open surgery (where the surgeon makes a larger incision to access the joint), arthroscopic surgery offers several benefits:

Reduced Pain
Reduced Cost
Fast Recovery
Improved Visualization

Frequently Asked Questions

Your orthopedic surgeon can determine whether arthroscopic or open surgery is more appropriate after evaluating your symptoms, exam findings, imaging, and the extent of joint damage. Arthroscopy may be used to diagnose or treat many joint problems through small incisions, but some injuries or advanced joint conditions may require open surgery or another procedure.

The type of anesthesia used for arthroscopic surgery depends on the joint being treated, the procedure, your health history, and your surgeon’s recommendation. Arthroscopy may be performed with general, spinal, regional, or local anesthesia depending on the case. Your care team will review the anesthesia plan with you before surgery.

Return to work or physical activity depends on the joint treated, the procedure performed, your job demands, and your rehabilitation plan. Some patients return to desk work or light activity sooner, while physically demanding jobs or sports may require a longer recovery. Your surgeon will give you specific activity restrictions and milestones during follow-up.

Many patients need physical therapy or a home exercise program after arthroscopic surgery to restore motion, strength, stability, and function. TSAOG provides on-site physical therapy, which can help coordinate recovery after orthopedic procedures when therapy is recommended.

Yes, certain medical conditions, infection risk, advanced joint damage, poor tissue quality, severe arthritis, or health factors that make anesthesia or surgery unsafe may affect whether arthroscopy is appropriate. Your surgeon will review your medical history, imaging, medications, and overall health before recommending surgery. In some cases, non-surgical care, open surgery, or joint replacement may be a better option.

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Orthopedic Clinic at Grayson Heights

Grayson Heights
1422 East Grayson Street, Ste 102
San Antonio, TX 78208

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Ridgewood Orthopaedic Center

Schertz

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Westover Hills

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