Conditions Treated with Arthroscopy

If you are feeling constant or intermittent pain in one or more of your joints, it can be tempting to hope that the problem will go away on its own with some rest. In some cases, it does, but joint pain can also indicate a chronic problem that warrants medical attention.

Fortunately, there are various treatment methods that can address joint problems, from medication and physical therapy to surgical interventions like arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used by many physicians to diagnose and treat various orthopedic problems, usually within the joints.

This procedure was initially used to help doctors plan surgical treatment before engaging in open surgery. Today, however, medical technology has advanced such that arthroscopic surgery is now a viable treatment option itself.

Arthroscopy is a very safe surgical procedure that generally lasts an hour or two, and the recovery period also does not take as long as that after open surgery.

What Can Be Treated via Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy can address many persistent joint problems, including those that affect the knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles. Let’s look at a few of the most common reasons why patients have arthroscopy:

Knee Arthritis

Symptoms of knee arthritis include chronic knee pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can limit your mobility. Knee osteoarthritis is usually treated first through nonsurgical options, such as medication or physical therapy. However, arthroscopy may be employed to repair severe joint damage and thereby alleviate pain in the area.

Torn ACL

A tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can occur when the knee joint is bent backward, twisted, or bent sideways. It can cause various symptoms, such as the following:

• A popping sound and sensation in the knee
• Instability
• Swelling
• Loss of mobility
• Intense pain

Arthroscopic surgery may be recommended to repair the torn knee ligament.

Hip Arthritis

Just like with knee arthritis, hip arthritis is a degenerative condition that can become worse over time, and it interferes with mobility. Similarly, a hip labral tear is characterized by hip pain and stiffness due to wear-and-tear injury, especially in athletes. Both of these conditions can be repaired via arthroscopic surgery.

Torn Rotator Cuff

Shoulders are also highly vulnerable to injuries, and these can often be treatable via arthroscopy. Rotator cuff injuries are common in people who frequently perform overhead motions, such as painters and pitchers; you can also develop tiny tears in the rotator cuff due to overuse of your hands and arms. This injury can develop slowly as arm weakness and debilitating discomfort.

Arthroscopic Surgery in Little Rock, AR

Here at Bowen Hefley Orthopedics, our experienced medical team will help you determine what is causing the pain and how best to alleviate it. You and the doctor may decide to treat it via medication, physical therapy, or minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff today by calling our Little Rock office at (800) 336-2412 or by filling out our convenient appointment request form online. We look forward to serving you!