Hugh Blackley - Orthopaedic Arthritis & Joint Reconstructive Surgeon

Often orthopaedic procedures on joints can be performed using arthroscopy, where a fibre optic telescope (arthroscope) is used to look inside the joint. Through this type of keyhole surgery, fine instruments can be introduced through small incisions or cuts (portals) to allow surgery to be performed. Arthroscopy is typically performed on ankle, hip, knee and shoulder (including rotator cuff repair) joints.

Arthroscopy has the following advantages over open (large incisions) surgery:

• many procedures can be performed as day-stay surgery
• allows quicker return to normal function of the joint
• is less painful than open surgery
• decreases the risk of healing problems
• allows access to parts of the joints which cannot be accessed by other types of surgery.

Knee Arthroscopy
Several small incisions (cuts) are made on the knee through which is inserted a small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope). This allows the surgeon to look inside the joint, identify problems and, in some cases, make repairs to damaged tissue.

Click on the link for more information about knee arthroscopy.

Ankle Arthroscopy
Two or three small incisions (cuts) are made in the ankle and a small telescopic instrument with a tiny camera attached (arthroscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon to look inside the joint, identify problems and, in some cases, operate. Tiny instruments can be passed through the arthroscope to remove bony spurs, damaged cartilage or inflamed tissue.

Click on the link for more information about ankle arthroscopy.