Symptoms of Scoliosis

• Curving to the right or left when looked from back,
• Shoulders which are not as a flat line,
• Protruding hip or shoulder,
• Pain in the back or waist,
• Difficulty in breathing.

To diagnose scoliosis which causes symptoms especially in childhood in early stages, parents should know the symptoms well. It is sufficient to look at the back of the children after shower to determine scoliosis. If the curve gets clearer, it can be seen that the spine is in the shape of “s”. One of the shoulders of the scoliosis patient is upper than the other. In advanced cases, protruding hip and difficulty in breathing can be observed.

Causes of Scoliosis

Even though the causes of scoliosis are not known, it can be congenital or it can develop after birth. The patient can be caused by bones, trauma or neurological reasons. As it threatens the health of the children upbringing in the future, early diagnosis is very important to stop development and treatment of the disease.

Type of the treatment is determined to evaluate age of the patient, type of scoliosis, severity of the curve and advancement of the disease. The actual aim of the treatment is to prevent curving.

Treatment of Scoliosis

The treatment is examined within 4 groups.

For curving less than 20 -25 degrees, the patient is observed. Physiotherapy exercises special for scoliosis are beneficial. Rarely, respiratory and cardiologic findings may be seen, therefore respiratory capacity exercises are increased.

Corset treatment is applied when the curve is between 20- 40 degree and the patient has a risk of development of the disease. When the curve in the spine is 40 degrees or more, surgical treatment is applied. In teenagers and adults who have completed lung development, correction and fixing surgeries are performed. Any increase in curving is observed with x-rays taken periodically and physical examinations.

What to pay attention to after Scoliosis surgery?

The patient should apply to dress regularly and use prescribed medicine after being discharged.

Until the sutures are removed, the operation area should be kept clean and should not touch water as much as possible.

After 20 days after surgery, the patient should visit the doctor again to remove the sutures and for the control examination.

In case of any discharge, malodor, redness or heat in the sutures, the patient should immediately apply to health care support.

The period needed to get back to daily life is depending on the age, pre-op health status and severity of the pain.

Recommendations to Protect Spine Health

Standing straight is very important in terms of providing maximum body functions. Muscles, joints, and ligaments work more healthily.

While sitting, it should be paid attention that shoulders and back are at the same level. Standing straight provides correct use of muscles and healthy work of bones and joints. Standing straight can be provided with regular exercises, sports and avoiding a life without movement and it helps to reduce the load which can wear the spine.

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Total Knee Replacement is a very successful operation if performed properly. However, you should remember that the recovery period is long and the progress is gradual. Here are a few things you should know about your recovery.

Pain and stiffness

Your knee will feel slightly warm and stiff, especially in the mornings up to 6 months. Cold packs are helpful for the pain in the first 3 weeks. Your surgeon will prescribe a set of different painkillers (called multi-modal analgesia) to control your pain. A moderate amount of  pain, especially at night is expected in the first month, but will get better gradually. Depending on your pain threshold, you might need regular pain medications up to 2 months after surgery. A small amount of swelling in the operated leg is expected in the first few days, this should resolve with placing a pillow under your leg and using anti-embolic stockings.

Walking and stair climbing

Walking on an even surface is possible after your discharge from hospital, however you should not overdo it. Remember you just had an operation and your knee needs to recover. Limit your walking distance to 20  minutes in the first 1-2 months then increase this as you progress without pain and swelling. Stair climbing will get better every month; however you should use rails to prevent falls. Start stair climbing one step at a time and move on to normal stair climbing once your operated leg feels stable. You might need a walking aid such as a cane or walker in the first few weeks, especially if you have a bilateral (both knees replaced during the same operation) knee replacement.

Knee motion

Your knee range of motion will improve in time. The most important gains in knee motion are in the first 3 weeks, however your motion will improve up to one year while the soft tissues adapt to your new knee. It is essential that you perform your prescribed exercises, even when you have slight pain in the early weeks after surgery. This is important, since it is difficult correct limited motion of the knee after six weeks. If your surgeon is not satisfied with your knee motion at 6 weeks, he might advise a procedure called “manipulation under anesthesia” in which your doctor overcomes the adhesions and restores your knee motion under general anesthesia. Although your knee can bend to almost normal, squatting is not advised after knee replacement, since this might cause undue stress on the implant and shorten its life.

You should not worry if you cannot actively lift your leg in the first few weeks after surgery, your muscle strength will recover gradually. Physiotherapy with electrical stimulation and assisted exercises will be helpful to regain your muscle strength and balance.

Showering and wound care

Your surgeon will not discharge you until your surgical wound is dry and there is no bleeding or discharge. Small spots of blood in the wound dressing  are normal in the first few days and usually no dressing changes are needed. Your surgeon might advise you to protect your dressing with a clingfilm during showering in the first few days. Usually,  you can remove the dressing after 3 days and leave the wound open. Showering without protection  is possible once the surgical wound is dry and clean. A slight redness and warmth  around your scar and front of the knee is expected in the first few weeks, this should fade when you lift your leg above heart level. Bruising in the back of your leg than extends down to the ankle is normal and will resolve in a few weeks.

Sports activities

Swimming is possible after the first 3 weeks. Cycling  and hiking are encouraged after total knee replacement once the knee has recovered in a few months. Running, impact sports such as soccer, volleyball, singles tennis and basketball may negatively impact the lifetime of your knee by increasing wear and are not advised. You should consult with your surgeon if you want to ski  and play doubles tennis, this might be possible under certain conditions.

Contact your surgeon  as soon as possible if..

There are several situations when you should contact your surgeon  as soon as possible  before your scheduled appointment:

1. If you have a fever over 37.5 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit)
2. If you have drainage of blood or pus from your wound
3. If you have continuous pain even when taking full dose pain medication
4. If you have shortness of breath and abnormal heart rhythm
5. If you have blood in your urine or stool
6. If you have severe swelling in your whole leg that does not resolve with elevating the leg.

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Vertebral Body Tethering is a new, revolutionary treatment method for scoliosis. By using this method, we can avoid the traditional fusion surgery, which is stopping the remaining growth of patient, so that the entire motion capacity of the spine is lost and a motionless, length-fixed spine is created. As a result of vertebral body tethering however, the spinal column continues to grow, and this growth potential combined with the implants is yielding a gradual, very successful correction of the scoliosis. This is why vertebral body tethering is classified as a growth modulating treatment option.

a:Pre-op, b:Post-op 1st Year c:Post-op 3rd year

In addition to growth preservation, this method also preserves the motion of the entire spinal column, including the instrumented segments. Therefore, patients can move freely after surgery, which is impossible if traditional fusion surgery is undertaken. This method is also applied to professional athletes and dancers, because this is the only method which preserves growth and motion of the spinal column.

a:Pre-op, b:Post-op 1st Year c:Post-op 3rd year

Professional dancers and athletes are able to return to the same activity-performance level as before the surgery without any restrictions. Vertebral body tethering is the future of the scoliosis surgery and we are able to perform this revolutionary technique with great success on patients with scoliosis.

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Partial (unicondylar) knee replacement is a surgical treatment for patients who have end stage cartilage damage confined to a single compartment of the knee. Your surgeon resurfaces only the damaged parts of the knee joint while preserving your ligaments, cartilage and menisci in the uninvolved part.

Is partial knee replacement suitable for me ?

This surgery is for patients over 50 years of age, when other joint preservation techniques such as osteotomies and cartilage regeneration are not feasible. Mostly performed for osteoarthritis (cartilage wear), partial knee replacements are also an excellent choice for osteonecrosis of the knee (bone infarct and collapse of a part of knee). (Figure 1) Your surgeon evaluates your X-rays and MRI’s to see if this surgery is suitable for you. If you elect to undergo robotic surgery, computed tomography (CT) scan of the whole limb is also necessary for the planning of surgery.

Figure 1 : Osteonecrosis on the inner part of the knee, arrows depict collapse of the bone. Treatment with partial knee replacement.

How is partial knee replacement performed ?

The operation takes about 1.5 hours, general or epidural/spinal anesthesia is used. Your surgeon replaces the worn out parts of the knee with small implants, through a 7-10 cm incision, taking care to preserve your soft tissue balance (Figure 2). The implants can be fixed with bone cement (a special putty that fixes the implant to bone) or cementless implants can be used in younger patients. You can get out of bed and walk on the operated leg the afternoon of surgery. Immediate knee exercises are started. A drain is not usually necessary.

Figure 2: Length of the incision in partial knee replacement

What is the role of robotic surgery in partial knee replacement ?

Robotic surgery is more accurate and precise than classical surgery. Robotic surgery can achieve an accuracy of 1 mm within the pre surgical plan. This results in better alignment and soft tissue balance of your knee, resulting in more normal feeling knees. However, no difference in survivorship has been proven compared to classical methods. Robotic surgery is more expensive than classical surgery and takes longer to perform.

What happens during my stay in the hospital after partial knee replacement ?

Physiotherapy can be started immediately and you are encouraged to perform exercises. Pain is controlled with medications and you can move around with a walker. You can be discharged from the hospital when you have active control of your muscles with good knee motion and pain manageable by tablets. This occurs usually during the 2. Day after surgery.

What should I expect from a partial knee replacement ?

Pain after surgery is mostly gone after 4 weeks and you can walk independently. Some stiffness in the knee and numbness around your scar is expected for a few months. You should  be able walk and climb stairs without difficulty in a few months after surgery. Your knee range of motion will be the same or slightly improved after surgery. Swimming and cycling are possible, impact sports such as soccer and volleyball are not allowed.

Can partial knee replacements fail ?

Like all implants placed in the body, partial knee replacements wear and loosen after a certain time and need to be replaced. This is called a revision surgery. The expected lifetime of partial knees are 11-15 years but may last longer.  Revision surgery is needed if the implants wear out or loosen, or there is disease progression in the uninvolved parts of the knee that become painful.  Revision surgery for unicondylar replacement is conversion to a total knee replacement.

What is the difference between a total and partial knee replacement ?

In total knee replacement, all compartments of the knee are resurfaced, taking out your menisci and cruciate ligaments (Figure 3). This is an extremely successful operation for advanced cartilage destruction in your knee. However, comparative studies have shown that, partial knee replacements have better pain relief, better knee motion, easier rehabilitation and more “normal like feeling” knees compared to total knee replacements. Complications such as infection are less frequent after partial knee replacements. However, the survivorship of total knees is longer, with an expected lifetime of 20-25 years.

Figure 3 : The difference between a partial and total knee replacement. In partial knee replacement, the uninvolved parts of the knee are preserved.

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Arthroscopy can be used in all joints. The most commonly used one is knee arthroscopy. Shoulder arthroscopy is the second. Hip arthroscopy, ankle arthroscopy, and elbow arthroscopy are also preferred methods. Arthroscopy could not be done very frequently in the past because of the problem of vascular and neural networks in the elbow area and problems in the entrances and camera placement. However, in recent years, with the increasing experience in closed systems for the elbow joint, the feasibility of arthroscopic procedures has increased considerably.

What is Elbow Arthroscopy?

The elbow joint is more complex than the other joints. It is an important area that provides the opening, bending and rotation movements of the arm. Cartilage damage and osteoarthritis may occur on the elbow due to trauma or without trauma. Treatment may be performed by applying elbow arthroscopy in cases of jamming sensation, movement restriction, rheumatic diseases, calcification, and joint mouse. With arthroscopy, the soft tissues are not damaged and the possible movement limitations that occur later are eliminated. Joint mouse removal, calcification, soft tissue damage removal, joint capsule loosening, and synovectomy can be performed with the camera system. Since the scar is not large, the pain is less and the recovery process is shorter

Followings can be performed for elbow arthroscopy:

• Intraarticular detailed examination
• Ulnar nerve compression
• Cartilage repair
• Fracture treatment
• Repair of protruding bone
• Treatment of tendon ruptures
• Tennis and golfer’s elbow

How is Arthroscopy carried out?

Arthroscopy is carried out under general or local anesthesia. Approximately 0.5 cm 2 or 3 holes are made on the elbow joint and a micro camera (with fiberoptic light) and auxiliary treatment devices are inserted. The surgeon performs the repair by monitoring the camera’s data from the opposite monitor. A few parts can be intervened at the same time. During the procedure, photos and videos can be taken from within the joint. Since the joints are small in elbow, wrist and ankle arthroscopy, different (smaller) arthroscopes are used compared to those in the knee, shoulder, and hip.

Return to normal life after arthroscopy is much faster than open surgery. Because the incisions are small, the recovery process is painless, fast and comfortable.

Advantages of Elbow Arthroscopy

The patient heals faster, is discharged on the same day or the next day, returns to normal life faster. The scar disappears quickly, it is aesthetic. Less tissue damage occurs, more natural preservation of joints. The pain is less. Lower risk of complication. Lower risk of infection.

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Arthroscopy can be preferred for knee, shoulder, wrist, ankle and hip joints. However, unlike other joints, hip arthroscopy is technically more difficult and requires experience because the joint is deeper, the joint capsule is thick and the range of motion is limited.

Hip Osteoarthritis and Hip Arthroscopy

The hip joint consists of the pelvis’s hole and the head of the thigh. These structures are covered with cartilage layers so that they can move freely on each other. If the cartilage tissue is damaged by age, force and genetic factors, osteoarthritis may occur. If there is severe wear, if the patient complains of pain too much to sleep, difficulty in walking, hip replacement surgery may be necessary. However, hip arthroscopy can be used to prevent further damage to the joints and restore their healthy functions.

In which conditions can hip arthroscopy be applied?

Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: If there is an extra hump-like protrusion on the neck of the femur and / or the edges of the pelvis forming the joint are larger and deeper than necessary, the bones may cause more pressure and compression than normal conditions during movements. This compression and congestion can also cause degeneration and osteoarthritis of the joint cartilage over time. With hip arthroscopy, the compression of the bones that create compression in both bones can be shaved successfully and the compression can be removed.

Labrum Ruptures: There is a meniscus-like C-shaped tissue called “labrum” in the knee around the pelvis (acetabulum) that acts as a gasket and increases the depth of the joint. Compression syndrome or repetitive forceful movements may result in rupture of the tissue and may cause pain in certain movements of the hip. With hip arthroscopy, these ruptures can be repaired, reconstructed, or removed.

How is Hip Arthroscopy carried out?

Hip arthroscopy is slightly different from other arthroscopy methods. The patient is placed on the traction table and the hip joint is opened about 1 cm. The necessary treatment is then performed by inserting both camera and surgical instruments through the holes approximately at the size of the pen tip. The camera’s high resolution and zoom feature make all textures clear and large. In this way, diseased tissues can be diagnosed and treated much better. When performing hip arthroscopy, the device that regulates the fluid pressure given to the joint called artropump, longhand tools specially designed for arthroscopy, motorized shavers, electrothermal cutting, and firming instruments are used. The operation time depends on the procedure. It usually takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

Advantages of Hip Arthroscopy

The most important advantage of arthroscopy is that the opened incisions are very small. A smaller incision means faster healing, less pain, more aesthetic scarring, and a more comfortable process. On the other hand, it provides both surgeon and patient comfort during surgery. Security is higher. The surgeon can easily see the operation area that s/he cannot see even in open surgery thanks to the high resolution and zoom capability of the special arthroscopy cameras.

• It provides more detailed imaging during surgery.
• It provides the surgeon with comfort and safety.
• The risk of infection and other complications is less than in open surgery.
• Postoperative pain is much less than open surgery.
• The postoperative procedure is very comfortable.
• Recovers faster than open surgery.
• Minimal and aesthetic scar.

After Hip Arthroscopy

After hip arthroscopy, patients are discharged on the same day or the following day. There is usually no situation that requires hospitalization. Pain is less than open surgery. It can be easily controlled with simple painkillers. There may be pain in the ankle due to traction, which will cease in a few hours.

Your doctor will prescribe you medications to use for about 10 days to ensure a comfortable recovery. Medication should be used regularly.

You should use crutches for up to 4-8 weeks. Your doctor may extend this period depending on your situation.

Water should not be touched until the sutures are removed and this area should be protected against infections.

The regular practice of the doctor’s exercises is in line with a fast and healthy recovery process. Physical therapy support will also be very useful.

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Arthroscopy is frequently used for knee, shoulder, hip and ankle diseases. You can read our articles about knee arthroscopy, hip arthroscopy and shoulder arthroscopy for information about other methods. As the ankle is a small joint, ankle arthroscopy requires special experience. The joint size is increased using pressurized fluid to allow good surgical access. In open ankle surgery, scar tissue may form because of the large incision. In addition, postoperative pain is greater, recovery occurs later. Therefore, arthroscopic surgery should be applied for ankle problems.

In Which Diseases is Ankle Arthroscopy performed?

• Ankle osteoarthritis
• Anterior ankle impingement
• Unstable ankle
• Lateral ligament injuries
• Rheumatic diseases
• Undiagnosed ankle pain
• Osteochondral disorders of the talus
• Synovial disorders
• Removal of the joint mouse within the ankle

How is Ankle Arthroscopy performed?

Ankle arthroscopy is more difficult to perform than other joints. The reason is that the ankle is both anatomically challenging and small. Therefore, the surgeon must be experienced in ankle arthroscopy. Surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia. Pressurized fluid is administered into the joint to enlarge the small area. In order to prevent joint damage, it is necessary to stretch the joint and expand the internal dimension of the joint. After the preparations are made, the camera and treatment devices are inserted through 0.5 cm holes made on both sides of the wrist. The surgeon manages the camera with one hand and performs the repair with the other. The physician monitors the images transmitted by the camera from the opposite high-resolution monitor.

Advantages of Ankle Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic surgery has obvious advantages, especially in the postoperative recovery period as it is closed surgery. The high-resolution camera, monitor, and light system provide safety during surgery. Arthroscopy is superior to other open surgery methods because two small incisions are made and a quality camera system is used. All advantages can be listed as follows:

• Faster recovery,
• Less pain,
• Providing detailed viewing to the physician,
• Providing comfort and safety during surgery,
• Less risk of infection,
• Less rate of complications,
• More aesthetic scar.

After Ankle Arthroscopy

The patient is discharged on the day of ankle arthroscopy or (usually) the next day. The ankle covered with elastic bandage remains in this dressing for about 2 weeks. With arthroscopy, pain is minimal and can be easily controlled with simple painkillers. It is recommended to keep the foot elevated for two days after surgery. Compliance with this recommendation is important to avoid swelling. If the patient is a professional sporter, return to active life depends entirely on the cause of arthroscopy. In some cases, it may be necessary to wait 6 months while returning to sports in 3 weeks. It is very important to perform the exercises given by the doctor regularly in order to accelerate the healing process and to make this process healthy. To learn more about arthroscopic surgery, please read our arthroscopy article.

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Arthroscopy, which has many advantages especially due to the small incision, can be used in the problems of the shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, and wrist.

The shoulder is the most flexible joint of our body. It has a structure that allows the arm to move in almost all directions. It is more susceptible to trauma due to its 360-degree movement capacity. The shoulder joint, which is the basis of the bones, allows the muscles, tendons, and ligaments to hold together, keep intact, and provide a range of motion.

Diseases for which Shoulder Arthroscopy is used

Shoulder arthroscopy may be preferred for shoulder dislocations, muscle and tendon ruptures, compression, osteoarthritis and removal of free bodies.

• Rotator Cuff Rupture
• Shoulder muscle compression
• Shoulder instability (Loose joint capsule)
• Labrum rupture
• Osteoarthritis of shoulder:
• Removal of free bodies

Shoulder arthroscopy can be applied in case of shoulder pain, movement restriction, sound in joints and loss of strength in arms, which do not recover with medication and physical therapy. However, this decision is made by an orthopedic physician. After the examinations and tests, the physician will determine the treatment method by evaluating the patient’s complaints.

How is Shoulder Arthroscopy carried out?

Shoulder arthroscopy is carried out under general or local anesthesia. The insertion points are determined according to the condition for which the operation is performed. First, an input for the camera is opened and error-free detection is made with a long, illuminated and high-resolution camera. The image on the camera is transferred to the monitor opposite the surgeon. Other tools are inserted through the other hole for repair. The surgeon monitors the area and performs the repair. Although the operation time varies according to the procedure, it is approximately 1 hour.

Advantages of Shoulder Arthroscopy

The most important advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that it provides a comfortable and rapid recovery after the surgery. The most important advantage is small incisions. Like the post-operative process, there are obvious advantages during surgery. It provides comfort and confidence to both the surgeon and the patient. Due to the detailed imaging, the error rate is reduced and the risk of complications is extremely low compared to open surgery.

• Detailed imaging,
• Providing comfort to surgeon and patient during surgery,
• More secure,
• Less risk of complications,
• Less risk of infection,
• More tiny and aesthetic scar,
• Less pain after surgery,
• Faster recovery

Recovery Process after the Shoulder Arthroscopy

There is no need for a hospital procedure as in open surgeries after shoulder arthroscopy. Patients can usually be discharged the next day, even on the same day.

There may be little pain, but it can be easily controlled with simple painkillers.

Shoulder-arm strap should be used for a while.

It is useful to rest the handle for 1 week.

It is important to dress the wound. Your doctor will definitely tell you what to do.

The sutures are removed after 15 days.

Doing the exercises regularly as prescribed by the doctor will accelerate the healing process.

What to pay attention After Shoulder Arthroscopy

After shoulder arthroscopy, there are some points that should be paid attention in order to reduce the risk of complications, accelerate the healing process and avoid injury again. Actually, the most important points to be pay attention are recommendations of the physician.

Regular wound dressing,

Regular use of prescribed drugs,

Avoiding sudden movements,

The shoulder arm strap is used for the recommended period of time,

Performing the exercises without interruption will help you to have a comfortable recovery process, to reduce the risks and to recover faster.

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As the knee joint plays a major role in walking, sitting and standing, bending and straightening, it is exposed to traumas. Arthroscopic surgery is used in most of the knee problems due to the variety and pathologies of the knee joint.

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical method. It is also referred to as closed surgery because it is performed through very small holes. It provides diagnosis and treatment by inserting camera and ancillary devices through holes of approximately 0.5 cm.  The surgeon inserts repair tools through one hole and the camera and light mean through the other hole. The surgeon watches area on the high-resolution display and the treatment is carried out. The camera system can see every detail thanks to its high resolution and multiple zoom possibilities. Therefore, it provides confidence and comfort during surgery.

Knee arthroscopy has advantages in the postoperative period as well as during surgery. Its biggest advantage is that it allows the patient to recover faster and to feel less pain than open surgery. Having 0.5 cm holes instead of 10-15 cm incisions as with open surgery directly affects the healing process. Today, knee arthroscopy is preferred in the treatment of many knee problems. Especially in meniscus and ligament injuries, open surgery is almost completely discontinued.

In Which Diseases Is Knee Arthroscopy Applied?

• Meniscus tear
• Anterior cruciate ligament injury
• Lateral ligament injuries
• Osteoarthritis of knee
• Cartilage lesions
• Synovitis
• Intraarticular free body

Meniscus Tear

As the joint between the femur and the tibia does not fully overlap, the meniscus provides compliance between them. Each knee has two menisci as internal and external. The meniscus is involved in spreading the load over a larger area and protecting the joint cartilage from high pressure. It is a kind of suspension of the knees. Wear and tear of the meniscus may occur as a result of deformation or trauma with advancing age. A sudden stop, rotation, forced bending of the knee and direct contact may result in injury or tears. In contact sports such as basketball and football, such injuries are very common. Arthroscopic (closed) surgical method is often preferred instead of open surgical treatments for meniscus problems. The incisions made for arthroscopy are very small. With the devices inserted through these small incisions, intra-articular imaging is performed and meniscus injuries or tears are treated. In contrast to open surgery, arthroscopy provides greater convenience since it can be visualized anywhere in the joint.

Ligament Injuries

Knee ligaments are structures that allow the knee to move in harmony with one another. There are two most vulnerable ties. These are the front cross-link in the middle of the knee and the inner side in the knee. Injuries here cause loss of strength in the knee and severe pain. Other problems may occur if they are not treated. Knee arthroscopy is the most preferred method in ligament treatments. With this method, treatment is performed by imaging and intervention from minimal incisions in the joint.

Advantages of Knee Arthroscopy when compared to Open Surgery

The most important advantage of knee arthroscopy is making small incisions. This results in a comfortable and quick recovery process. This is the difference between open surgery and this method. While in open method, 10-15 cm incisions are made, and arthroscopy is performed with 0.5 cm holes. The smaller the incision, the shorter the healing process. In addition, the possibility of mistakes decreases considerably with the applied imaging technique. The images taken with the help of the fiberoptic instruments allow the physician to work more easily and easily see everywhere in the joint. In fact, knee problems that cannot be seen during the preoperative examination can be detected during arthroscopy and treated in the same session. Although large incisions are made to reach the joint in open surgeries, it is not possible to see the entire joint.

The instruments used in arthroscopic surgery are completely specific to arthroscopy. Since the thickness of the instruments used to examine the areas and structures within the joint and repair the diseased or injured structures is small millimeters, the operation can be performed with small incisions. There is less pain than open surgery. Small incisions are almost lost a few months after surgery. Postoperative rehabilitation is short and easy. The patient may return to daily activities, work, and sports early.

What to pay attention After Knee Arthroscopy

In the first week after surgery, cold treatment is required to reduce edema and pain in the area. With this application, the edema will be reduced and the exercises to be done will be easier. Exercising regularly increases blood circulation and prevents blood clotting, accelerating healing. The necessary instructions should be followed regularly by using the medications prescribed by the doctor.

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Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery. Large incisions are not made on the skin, instead treatment is provided with the smallest incisions. Therefore, it is also known as closed surgery method. The most important advantage is that it provides a chance to recover in a very short time, especially after the surgery due to the small incision, less pain and a comfortable process for the patient.

In arthroscopy which is performed by entering through several holes of approximately 0.5 cm in size, special treatment and imaging devices are used. On the one hand, the instruments to be used for repair are sent to the damaged area and on the other hand, imaging is provided by a high-resolution camera and fiber optic light source placed in thin pipes. The surgeon sees the damaged area on the high-resolution monitor and performs the repair. Images are larger than normal for comfortable and easy viewing. This gives the physician a wider viewing angle. In arthroscopy, the damaged parts are both detected and repaired. It provides comfort to the surgeon during the surgery and to the patient in the postoperative period.

When is Arthroscopy Used?

Arthroscopy is used for diagnosis and treatment in most of the problems involving large joints.

• In case of injury to the joint cartilage or ligaments,
• To determine the cause of pain, swelling, and inflammation,
• In case that the joint loses its stability,
• For the treatment of early joint arthritis,
• To eliminate the restricted movement caused by trauma and disease,
• For the repair of recurrent shoulder dislocations,
• For the treatment of muscle compression,
• In the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases such as elbow, hip, shoulder, ankle, and wrist.

What are the Advantages of Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy has obvious advantages to the patient, especially during the recovery process. In order to understand this advantage, it is sufficient to compare approximately 10-15 cm incision made in open surgery and 0.5 cm incision made in arthroscopic surgery. The small treatment area makes the recovery process faster and painless. On the other hand, the more technology gets involved, the less likely it is to make a mistake. Therefore, it provides advantages during surgery as well as the post-op process. The surgeon has a clearer vision than open surgery, thanks to the high-resolution camera and monitor equipment. One of the most important advantages is the low risk of complications.

• The patient recovers faster.
• The patient returns to normal life faster.
• The patient gets up on the same day.
• The patient is discharged from the hospital on the same day or the next day.
• The patient starts the postoperative exercises earlier, which directly affects the recovery time.
• The scar heals quickly.
• Since the large incision is not opened, there is no scar throughout the application area. There will be a very small wound because the procedure is performed through small holes of 0.5 cm. These scars also will not appear in a short time.
• The risk of complications is lower when compared to open surgery.
• Active sporter has a higher chance of returning to sports.
• In cases involving the knee joint, cartilage and connective tissue damage can be repaired successfully.

Knee Arthroscopy

One of the most commonly used sites of arthroscopy in the knee. Thus, open surgery is no longer used in meniscus and ligament injuries thanks to arthroscopic surgery. The arthroscopic method can be used for synovitis and cartilage injuries. For more information, you can read knee arthroscopy article.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy can be used for recurrent shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff ruptures, muscle compression, removal of intraarticular free bodies, and early shoulder joint osteoarthritis. Orthopedic specialists often prefer arthroscopy for shoulder diseases as well as knee diseases. For more information, you can read shoulder arthroscopy  article.

Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle arthroscopy is preferred for cartilage lesions, soft tissue trauma, pain caused by bone compression, removal of free bodies within the joint, ankle osteoarthritis and ligament injuries. For more information, you can read the ankle arthroscopy  article.

Hip Arthroscopy

Hip arthroscopy may be preferred especially in the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and labrum tears. A femoralacetabular impingement syndrome is the condition where the femur has an excess output and / or the edges of the hole are larger and deeper than necessary. With hip arthroscopy, the compression bone protrusions are shaved and the compression is eliminated. Hip arthroscopy repair can also be performed in case of forced rupture of the labrum, which serves as a gasket on the hip (such as the meniscus on the knee). For detailed information, you can read the hip arthroscopy article.

Elbow Arthroscopy

Elbow arthroscopy is a closed surgery method that has been heard in recent years but can still be performed in several centers. It is applied through 0.5 cm holes made on both sides and back of the elbow. Elbow arthroscopy can be performed especially for cartilage problems, removal of intraarticular free fragments and intraarticular synovitis. For more information, you can read the elbow arthroscopy  article.

Recovery Process after the Arthroscopy

The recovery period after arthroscopy is faster when compared to open surgeries. The patient stands up on the same day, and usually go back home on the same or next day. Light exercises can be started immediately. Because the incisions are very small, the pain is less when compared to open surgery. Depending on the procedure, the physician may recommend you to use splints, straps, or crutches to protect the joint. After arthroscopy, physical therapy and rehabilitation of the joints can be started early. When exercises and physical therapy is started early, it will help the recovery process to progress rapidly. Postoperative movement restriction is often not encountered.

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