Tag: Arthroscopic Surgery

03 Jan 2024
Difference between arthroscopy surgery and open surgery

Difference between Arthroscopic surgery and Open Surgery

When considering orthopedic surgeries, especially in joint repairs, an important decision is that of selecting between arthroscopic surgery and open surgery. Each approach has unique advantages and disadvantages, stressing how important it is for patients and healthcare providers to know the difference between them.

Your surgeon will pick the one that fits your specific problem for the best results in the long run. The decision between open and arthroscopic surgery depends on the type of injury you have. If it’s arthritis in the shoulder, open surgery might be better, but for many sports injuries, doctors often go with arthroscopic surgery. 

In this article, we will discuss the differences between arthroscopic and open surgeries.

Arthroscopic Surgery:

Arthroscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves the use of a tiny camera, called an arthroscope, inserted through small incisions to visualize and treat joint issues. This modern technique is often preferred by orthopedics for many patients due to various advantages, such as faster healing time, minimal scarring, and reduced postoperative pain, to name a few. 

Open Surgery:

Open surgery, in contrast, is a traditional approach involving larger incisions, providing surgeons with direct access to the affected joint. While it may seem less modern compared to arthroscopy, open surgery remains a necessary option for specific orthopedic scenarios, such as for severe shoulder injuries, including arthritic shoulder changes and traumatic shoulder injuries.

Now, let’s delve into the differences between them in detail. 

Scarring:  

Arthroscopic surgery uses tiny cuts, usually less than half an inch, so there’s less scarring and a lower chance of infection. On the other hand, open surgery requires larger cuts, which may result in more noticeable scars.

Hospital stay duration: 

Arthroscopic procedures can frequently be done with local or regional anesthesia, allowing patients to return home the same day or after a brief hospital stay. In contrast, open surgery usually needs general anesthesia and a more extended hospitalization period.

Recovery: 

Arthroscopic surgery usually leads to quicker recoveries compared to open surgery. Patients undergoing arthroscopy often have less pain, reduced swelling after surgery, and can return to regular activities sooner. Since arthroscopy involves minimal cutting, there’s less for the body to recover from.

Complications: 

Compared to open surgery, arthroscopic surgery has fewer risks like infection, blood loss, and nerve damage. However, the choice of the type of surgery depends on the patient’s condition. 

Recurrence: 

Orthopedic issues treated with open surgery have a low chance of happening again, but there can be complications. On the other hand, arthroscopic procedures have a higher recurrence rate. 

Post-operative condition: 

Arthroscopic surgery causes less pain after the operation since there’s no need to cut muscles or tendons to fix the joint. The mild discomfort you might feel can be easily managed.

In open surgery, larger incisions are made and can result in more pain for a few days during recovery. Generally, you will be provided with painkillers to reduce pain.

Summary: 

Choosing between arthroscopic and open surgery for joints isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Each method has its benefits and works better for certain situations.

When comparing arthroscopic surgery to open surgery, it’s crucial to consider each patient’s specific needs and how complicated their condition is.

Arthroscopic surgery has many advantages, like smaller cuts, quicker recovery, and less scarring. Still, open surgery might be a better choice for more complicated situations.

As technology improves and surgical techniques improve, the future promises even more personalized approaches to joint surgery. 

Consulting with experienced orthopedic surgeons will help assess the most suitable surgical approach for the best possible outcomes.

12 Sep 2021
What Questions To Ask Before Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

What Questins To Ask Before Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

A medical procedure performed to have a look inside the knee to determine the root issue is called knee arthroscopy. Since it is a minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon uses specialized equipment to treat the problem through a small incision (around the size of a keyhole). It is especially useful to ensure that the surrounding healthy tissues remain unaffected. In addition, because of the minimal invasion, the recovery is faster as compared to conventional surgery. So it is possible for the patient to get back to their daily routine quickly. Are you looking to have a knee arthroscopy? 

Here Are Just A Few Questions To Ask The Doctor Before Your Arthroscopic Knee Surgery:

 

  • What Is The Knee Arthroscopy Duration?

    Due to it being a minimally invasive surgical procedure, the knee arthroscopy does not take too long. But it usually depends upon the kind and extent of procedure required along with the seriousness of your medical condition. Most often, it takes around 30 to 40 minutes, but it could last beyond one hour in certain cases.

  • Would I Require A Knee Brace Or Any Other Assistive Devices After Having The Knee Arthroscopy?

    You don’t need to use any assistive devices in case of the majority of knee arthroscopy procedures. But if the surgery has been performed with respect to more serious procedures like meniscus repair, you might require a knee brace for a quicker recovery.

  • Why Is Knee Arthroscopy The Best Treatment Option For My Medical Condition

    It is one of the crucial questions to ask before arthroscopic knee surgery. There are a number of issues with the knee, including torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate ligament), damaged articular cartilage, torn meniscus, joint infections or inflamed synovial tissue. If you are identified with any of these issues, then knee arthroscopy might be the best treatment option for you.

  • What Are The Risks And Complications With Respect To A Knee Arthroscopy

    Knee arthroscopy is considered among the safest surgical procedures with an incredible success rate. But there are a few (minimal) complications and risks associated with every surgical procedure. In case of the knee arthroscopy, the risks include profuse bleeding, an injured nerve, a clot in the veins and post-procedure infection.

  • Do I Require Physical Therapy After The Procedure?

    Whether or not you need physical therapy before the procedure cannot be decided before a physical examination. However, if the doctor observes anything more than minimal swelling, discomfort or pain, it might hinder you from having a quick and complete recovery to gain mobility. In that case, you might require physical therapy. 

  • When Would I Be Able To Return To Work After The Procedure?

    You might be able to return to your job within the week of the procedure in case of a desk-bound job. But if your day job requires you to be relatively active at your job, then you might want to wait at least one and a half months before you return to your work. But for the fastest recovery, it is advisable that you don’t get yourself involved in any strenuous activities.

  • When Can I Drive My Car Post-procedure?

    If you are looking to have knee arthroscopy, you might want to consider staying away from driving and riding for at least 3 to 5 days or even more than 15 days, depending upon the extent of your surgery. Your doctor would explain to you what you can and cannot do before and after the procedure. 

  • Would I Need Pain Medications After the Procedure?One of the most significant questions to ask before arthroscopic knee surgery is regarding any change in your present medication and the need for additional medications. During the procedure, local anaesthesia is administered to ensure a pain-free procedure. So it is natural to experience pain and discomfort after the surgery. Therefore, the doctor might prescribe you a medication that is to be used as per the instructions provided.Those as mentioned above are just a few questions to ask the doctor before arthroscopic knee surgery. If you must undergo arthroscopic knee surgery or to gather more information, you might want to consult with the experts at Germanten Hospital. 

Why Choose Us?

The German spirit of “Precision and Perfection” is followed to the core at Germanten Hospital. Dr Mir Jawad holds expertise with advanced German multi-speciality orthopaedic technology, and partnering up with the experts from Germany ensures the best possible care for our patients. 

Our experienced professionals have treated and provided orthopaedic patients with outstanding and cost-effective healthcare for more than 45 years. 

Here Are A Few Accreditations Obtained By Germanten Hospital:

  • NABH Accreditation: Obtaining accreditation with National Accreditation Board For Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a privilege. The board confers this accreditation upon a thorough inspection of the staff and facilities possessed by the hospital, clinic, etc. 
  • ISO Accreditation 9001 : 2008: Neither Germanten Hospital nor any of our employees have never made any illegitimate claim regarding any step of the medical process. That is why we are a member of the International Society Of Orthopaedic Centres (only 2nd Hospital from Asia with full membership).

Along with the accreditations, Germanten Hospitals have been conferred with various recognitions for our service to society:

  • We are the first hospital in Asia to have the German Joint Replacement Technology.
  • Dr Mir Jawad Zar Khan has been highly regarded for performing 10,000+ joint replacement surgeries.
  • We are regarded for the highest number of joint replacement surgeries per year in South India.
  • We have performed more than 2000 Joint replacement surgeries in 2 years. 

So consult with Dr Mir Jawad Zar Khan at Germanten Hospital if you want the best knee replacement surgery followed by unparalleled aftercare.

 

05 Sep 2021
Arthroscopic surgery recovery time

What’s The Recovery Time For Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

Recovery time after arthroscopic knee surgery differs based on the circumstances of the individual. Healing time is affected by age, injuries, health state, the capacity and willingness to complete physical treatment. It is crucial to remember that feeling better might take months. Arthroscopic knee repair is a minimally invasive procedure involving local anaesthetic, tiny incisions, less bleeding, faster healing, and less soft tissue injury.

Arthroscopic ACL Ligament Reconstruction

For healthy, active individuals, the average recovery time for arthroscopic knee surgery is 6-9 months and 6-8 weeks for wounds to heal. Your healing time for arthroscopic knee surgery will include a rehabilitation regimen to help you regain range of motion, strengthen muscles, and restore balance. Rehabilitation begins within a week of surgery. 

Swelling and stiffness are possible side effects for patients. Patients are sent home with crutches, brace and painkillers after surgery. Crutches are required until the patient can walk without limping on the reconstructed knee, which takes around two weeks. 

If the meniscus is torn and repaired simultaneously, crutches may be necessary for a longer time. The arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time with meniscus repair ranges from 12-16 weeks, depending on the patient.

Patients can drive after taking painkillers, but they must wait 4-6 weeks if their right knee is damaged. 

Moreover, if the patient has a desk job, they may return to work after seven days. However, if the patient’s work demands a lot of standing, they should wait 4-6 weeks following surgery before returning. 

Arthroscopic Surgery For A Torn Meniscus

Arthroscopic surgery is a popular procedure for removing all or part of a torn meniscus. It is an outpatient procedure performed under local or regional anaesthesia on the same day. Most of the discomfort will fade soon after a simple meniscectomy, but oedema and stiffness will take time to go away. Arthroscopic surgery of the knee recovery time might take up to 4-5 months. After surgery, the patient should be able to bear weight on the knee when standing or walking. 

Crutches are required for the first 2-7 days following surgery. Within 1-2 weeks, you should be able to regain full range of motion. For the first 4-6 weeks, heavy labour or sports may be prohibited. The patient’s knee must be immobilised for two weeks following surgery due to the complicated surgical repair of a meniscus tear. Post that, there will be a two-week period of limited motion before returning to normal activities. 

Post-surgery, the patient is anticipated to walk on crutches for 4-6 weeks. Patients who work in a low-impact job can return to work in 1-2 weeks, drive in 4-6 weeks, and return to hard labour or sports in 3-6 months.

Arthroscopic Repair Of Articular Cartilage Injury

The cartilage at the ends of the bones is known as articular cartilage. Trauma or natural wear and tear can cause damage. Arthroscopy is performed to remove loose cartilage fragments. A microfracture method produces tiny holes in the bone marrow of the damaged cartilage to regenerate new cartilage. For the first several weeks after surgery, no weight-bearing is allowed, and the joint must be protected while cartilage heals.

Patellar Tendon Tears

The patellar tendon connects to muscles in the knee and aids in leg straightening. Small rips can reduce the quality of life and make walking difficult, but they seldom necessitate surgery. Instead, the patient will be required to wear a brace and participate in physical therapy for the next 3-6 weeks as the tendon recovers. 

Surgery can be performed as an outpatient operation or a brief hospital stay with a spinal anaesthetic or general anaesthesia. Rehabilitation begins on the surgical table. The patient will require pain medication and cold treatment to decrease swelling immediately after surgery. Sutures will be removed two weeks following surgery.

Crutches are required since the patient will be wearing a lengthy brace or knee immobiliser that goes from the thigh to the mid-calf to keep the leg motionless for 2-4 weeks. Continuous passive movement treatment, which continually pushes the joint through its range of motion, is one type of physical therapy used to recover mobility. The goal of rehabilitation is to strengthen the joints and muscles.

Why Choose Us?

The German spirit of “Precision and Perfection” is followed to the core at Germanten Hospital. Dr Mir Jawad holds expertise with advanced German multi-speciality orthopaedic technology, and partnering up with the experts from Germany ensures the best possible care for our patients. 

Our experienced professionals have treated and provided orthopaedic patients with outstanding and cost-effective healthcare for more than 45 years. 

Here Are A Few Accreditations Obtained By Germanten Hospital:

  • NABH Accreditation: Obtaining accreditation with National Accreditation Board For Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) is a privilege. The board confers this accreditation upon a thorough inspection of the staff and facilities possessed by the hospital, clinic, etc. 
  • ISO Accreditation 9001 : 2008: Neither Germanten Hospital nor any of our employees have never made any illegitimate claim regarding any step of the medical process. That is why we are a member of the International Society Of Orthopaedic Centres (only 2nd Hospital from Asia with full membership).

Along with the accreditations, Germanten Hospitals have been conferred with various recognitions for our service to the society:

  • We are the first hospital in Asia to have the German Joint Replacement Technology.
  • Dr Mir Jawad Zar Khan has been highly regarded for performing 10,000+ joint replacement surgeries.
  • We are regarded for the highest number of joint replacement surgeries per year in South India.
  • We have performed more than 2000 Joint replacement surgeries in 2 years. 

So consult with Dr Mir Jawad Zar Khan at Germanten Hospital if you want the best knee replacement surgery followed by unparalleled aftercare.