SPORTS INJURIES AND ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY
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Sports Injuries and Arthroscopic Surgery
Sports injuries are the injuries most frequently encountered during sports and exercises. They can arise due to accidents, inadequate training methods, improper use of protective equipment, lack of conditioning, and insufficient warm-up and stretching. Such injuries can be categorized as acute (sprains, fractures, tears) or chronic (tendinitis, overuse injury) in nature.
Sports Injury Management
When injured during sports events, avoid continuing the activity in pain, as it may worsen the harm. Some injuries may necessitate immediate medical attention, while others can be self-treated.
Medical Treatment Should be Sought if:
- The injury causes severe pain, swelling, or numbness.
- Weight cannot be put on the injured area.
- An old injury's pain or dull ache intensifies, accompanied by swelling and joint instability.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that involves inserting an arthroscope into a joint. The term “arthroscopy” originates from two Greek words: “arthro-” meaning joint and “-scope” meaning to examine. Arthroscopy is performed in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia.
The arthroscope is a small fiber-optic viewing instrument comprising a tiny lens, light source, and video camera. Although the surgical instruments used in arthroscopic surgery are very small (only 3 or 4 mm in diameter), they appear larger when viewed through an arthroscope.
The arthroscope’s attached television camera displays the joint’s image on a TV screen, enabling the surgeon to examine various aspects, such as knee cartilage, ligaments, and the area beneath the kneecap. The surgeon can assess the extent and type of injury, and subsequently proceed with the necessary repairs. Typically, this procedure is conducted with the patient under spinal or general anesthesia.
Arthroscopic surgeries for sports injuries are often performed in conjunction with other methods or open surgeries. The primary use of arthroscopy is to treat tendon tears in the knee. Additionally, it addresses conditions like torn ligaments and cartilage, carpal tunnel syndrome, inflamed joint lining, rotator cuff tears, and cartilage and bone wear.
Following the surgery, the incision is sutured and neatly dressed. In most cases, patients require minimal pain medication compared to what is necessary for recovery from open surgery.
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Benefits of Arthroscopy
- Minimal incisions
- Less soft tissue damage, resulting in minimal pain
- Faster recuperation
- Reduced blood loss
- Enhanced rehabilitation comfort
- Decreased scarring
- Earlier mobilization for pain-free movement restoration
- No risk of muscle or tendon incisions
- Early joint movement aids healing and improves outcomes
- Arthroscopy is particularly advantageous for sports injuries involving the shoulder, knee, ankle, and hip
Injuries Addressed by Arthroscopy
ACL mending
Tears in the meniscus
Tears in ligaments
Damage to cartilage
Floating particles in the knee
Tears in the labrum including SLAP and Bankart tears
Damage to cartilage
Tears in the rotator cuff
Bursitis and impingement
Separation of the AC joint
Arthritis in the AC joint
Floating particles in the shoulder
Minor fractures in the shoulder joint
