Arthroscopic Surgery

Indications

• Joint diseases
  • Shoulder:  osteochondrosis flap removal, diagnostic arthroscopy, biceps tendon tears/tendonitis, instability of the shoulder due to tearing of collateral ligaments
  • Elbow:  fragmented coronoid processes, osteochondrosis
  • Stifle:  cruciate ligament tears, osteochondrosis, long digital extensor tendon avulsion
  • Tarsus:  osteochondrosis

Reasons to have surgery done arthroscopically

• The surgeon can see the diseases better and thus treat the problem more thoroughly
• Less invasive procedure
  • Less hair is generally shaved
  • Less pain
  • Less scar tissue develops, therefore better range of motion
  • More rapid return to function of the limb
  • Surgery can be done more rapidly in some cases, thus less anesthesia time for patient

How the procedure is done

• A square region of hair is clipped over the joint
• The joint is distended with sterile fluid
• The ports for the camera and instruments are created with a couple of very small stab incisions
• A camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the joint
• A second port is made over the area of the joint that needs treatment
• Abnormal tissue is removed using small forceps, or an arthroscopic power shaver