If you’ve suffered from an injury to the hand or upper extremity, you may benefit from arthroscopic treatment. Read on to learn more about the specialized hand and upper extremity arthroscopy procedures performed at University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA).
What Is Hand and Upper Extremity Arthroscopy?
Hand and upper extremity arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique. Arthroscopy allows a surgeon to work within a very small space by using a small camera and long, thin tools that have been inserted into a joint area. Shoulder arthroscopy, elbow arthroscopy, wrist arthroscopy and hand arthroscopy are specialized procedures that can help treat orthopaedic conditions.
Here are some examples of the procedures that can be carried out arthroscopically by the hand and upper extremity surgeons at University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA).
Frozen Shoulder Treatment
Shoulder arthroscopy can improve frozen shoulder syndrome (“adhesive capsulitis”). During this procedure, a surgeon cuts through parts of the joint capsule. This helps break up and tear scar tissue which releases tightness and helps improve shoulder movement and function.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder arthroscopy can also repair tears in the rotator cuff, which is a collection of four tendons that surround the upper end of the arm bone and keep the arm bone secured within the shoulder socket.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement occurs when tissues within the tight capsule of the shoulder become pinched. During shoulder arthroscopy, a surgeon uses small instruments to remove debris and bony material. This expands the joint space and relieves pressure on the soft tissue.
Shoulder Labrum Repair
The labrum is a thickened piece of cartilage that helps secure the top of the arm bone within the joint socket. When this tissue tears, shoulder arthroscopy can diagnose and repair the condition.
Wrist Debridement and Ligament Repairs
A procedure known as wrist arthroscopy can help a surgeon investigate the causes of wrist pain. Once identified, a surgeon can then either remove debris (this is known as debridement) or repair injured or torn ligaments.
Tennis Elbow Debridement
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, can be repaired using elbow arthroscopy. During the elbow arthroscopy procedure, a surgeon enters the joint space and removes diseased tendon tissue. This process is known as “debridement,” and it can help relieve inflammation in the area.
Elbow Contracture Release
Trauma or surgical manipulation of the elbow can result in elbow stiffness or contracture. Elbow arthroscopy can relieve symptoms by allowing a surgeon to open up the joint capsule and greatly improve the range of motion.
Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions Repair
In osteochondritis dissecans, small pieces of bone or cartilage may actually become detached from their structures because of a disruption in blood flow. Elbow arthroscopy allows surgeons to repair these lesions in the joint and restore comfort and function.
Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction
When the acromioclavicular (AC) joint suffers a high degree of separation due to trauma or injury, arthroscopy can help realign torn ligaments and return the joint to its natural position.
What Are the Benefits of Arthroscopy?
An arthroscopic procedure is minimally invasive compared to the open surgeries traditionally used to treat orthopaedic injuries. The small incisions and small surgical fields required to perform arthroscopy ultimately help minimize surgical time, pain and scarring. Patients also recover faster from arthroscopic procedures compared to open surgeries.
Other Camera-Assisted Minimally Invasive Procedures
UOA offers other minimally invasive procedures that utilize a camera similar to arthroscopy, including carpel tunnel release.
Carpal Tunnel Release
A procedure known as endoscopic carpal tunnel release can treat severe carpal tunnel syndrome by allowing surgeons to relieve pressure on the median nerve. They do so by opening or “releasing” the transverse carpal ligament. This can help improve pain and function.
How to Learn More About Hand and Upper Extremity Arthroscopy
If you are experiencing pain or dysfunction stemming from an orthopaedic injury, don’t suffer needlessly. Relief is possible through minimally invasive arthroscopy. Make sure to contact the interventional hand and upper extremity surgeons at UOA today to find out more about how arthroscopy can help.
