Arthroscopy refers to ‘Key-hole surgery’ wherein 1-2 cm incisions (the size of a keyhole) are made through which a tiny camera and thin instruments can be inserted into the joint to perform the surgery.

The camera projects a live video from inside the joint to a TV monitor. The surgeon performs the surgery looking at this monitor. Usually an entire surgery can be performed in such a manner by 2-4 cuts of 1-2cm each.

In comparison to conventional surgeries, where a long incision is made, arthroscopy is much less traumatic to the joint. Hence it is also less painful, and has a quicker recovery. The technique was initially developed for injuries sustained by sportspersons. It has evolved and developed over time and is now used for a wide range of procedures. It is a commonly performed procedure for problems of the knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow and wrist. Some of the common problems of knee and shoulder that can be treated with arthroscopy are described below.

Knee

Arthroscopy is used to treat a wide range of problems of the knee. Knee joint has cartilage cushions called ‘Meniscus’. Knee also has ligaments that keep the joint stable. These are the ACL and PCL. These can get torn during sports or any twisting injury to the knee. Repair of torn meniscus or removing the torn part is commonly done by arthroscopy. Reconstruction of ACL and PCL is also a common arthroscopic procedure. Tendons from the back of the knee are used to re-make these ligaments. Apart from ‘sports injuries’, other diseases of the knee like cartilage defects (Osteochondritis, Chondromalacia) and early arthritis of the knee can also be treated by arthroscopy. You can read more about these on the ‘Joint Preservation’ page.

Shoulder

People who suffer from a repeated dislocation of the shoulder can be treated by an arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder called Bankart’s operation. Muscles around the shoulder are known as the ‘Rotator cuff’. These are sometimes damaged or torn by an injury or also sometimes with age. This can lead to pain around the shoulder and restricted movement of the joint. Arthroscopic repair of the damaged rotator cuff is an effective way of treating this problem. Some patients with severe ‘Frozen shoulder’ do not respond to treatment with medicines, physiotherapy and injections. They can be treated with an arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder.

Wrist

Key hole surgery for large joints like knee and shoulder is fairly common. But for smaller joints, like the wrist, special instruments and finesse is required. Wrist has a narrow space with multiple small bones, which makes wrist arthroscopy surgically challenging.

Dr. Bhatnagar is one of the handful of surgeons in India who perform this complex surgery. In fact Dr. Bhatnagar was the first surgeon at National Heart Institute to perform this surgery. Wrist arthroscopy is done for diseases like Keinbocks disease, wrist ganglion, scaphoid fracture, radial styloid fracture and TFCC ligament injury.