Therapeutic Arthroscopic Procedures

Therapeutic Arthroscopic Procedures

Therapeutic Arthroscopic Procedures

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Knee Arthroscopy - Scope & Staples

  • Scope:
    • Diagnostic: Visualize menisci, ligaments (ACL/PCL), cartilage, synovium.
    • Therapeutic: Multiple options.
      • Meniscal tears: Meniscectomy (partial/total), meniscal repair (all-inside, inside-out, outside-in techniques).
      • Ligament injuries: ACL/PCL reconstruction (BTB, hamstring grafts).
      • Cartilage lesions: Chondroplasty, microfracture, OATS.
      • Synovial pathology: Synovectomy (e.g., PVNS).
      • Loose body removal.
      • Patellofemoral: Lateral release, patellar debridement.
    • Fluid Management: Saline for distension & visualization.
  • Key Fixation ("Staples"):
    • Meniscal Repair: Sutures, bioabsorbable anchors (all-suture, PEEK), darts.
    • ACL/PCL Reconstruction:
      • Fixation: Interference screws (metal/bio), suspensory devices (Endobutton), cross-pins.
      • Graft tensioning vital.
    • Cartilage Repair (OATS): Press-fit plugs, scaffold fixation.
  • Portals & Risks:
    • Portals: Std. AL (anterolateral), AM (anteromedial); accessory as needed.
    • Risks: Infection, DVT, nerve injury, stiffness, instrument breakage.

    ⭐ The "terrible triad" (O'Donoghue's triad) involves injury to the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus, often requiring arthroscopic intervention for ACL and meniscal components.

Knee Arthroscopy Procedure and Instruments

Shoulder Arthroscopy - Rotator & Repair

  • Indications: Symptomatic rotator cuff tears (RCTs) failing >3-6 months conservative therapy; acute traumatic tears in active patients.
  • RCT Overview:
    • Muscles (SITS): Supraspinatus (most common), Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis.
    • Types: Partial (articular/bursal-sided), Full-thickness. Patterns: Crescent, U-shaped, L-shaped. Massive tears: >5 cm or involving ≥2 tendons.
  • Repair Principles:
    • Debridement of tear margins, footprint preparation (bleeding bone bed for healing).
    • Anchors: Metal, bioabsorbable, PEEK, all-suture types.
    • Constructs: Single-Row (SR); Double-Row (DR) for ↑biomechanical strength & potentially ↓re-tear rates in larger tears; Suture-bridge techniques.
  • Common Adjuncts: Subacromial decompression (SAD)/acromioplasty for impingement; biceps tenotomy/tenodesis if biceps pathology present.
  • Post-operative: Sling immobilization (4-6 weeks), structured, phased physiotherapy crucial for outcomes.
  • Complications: Stiffness (adhesive capsulitis), re-tear (most common), infection, anchor pull-out, deltoid dysfunction, nerve injury (axillary n.). Arthroscopic view of shoulder with suture anchors

⭐ The "critical zone" (Codman's critical zone) of the supraspinatus tendon, a hypovascular region approximately 1 cm proximal to its insertion on the greater tuberosity, is the most common location for degenerative tears and subsequent failure of repair due to poor healing potential.

Other Joints & Complications - Wider View & Watchouts

  • Elbow Arthroscopy:
    • Uses: Loose bodies, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), synovitis, capsular release.
    • Nerve at risk: Posterior interosseous n. (PIN).
  • Ankle Arthroscopy:
    • Uses: Talar OCD, impingement (anterior/posterior), synovitis.
    • Nerves at risk: Superficial peroneal n., sural n.
  • Hip Arthroscopy:
    • Uses: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral tears, loose bodies. Traction needed.
    • Nerves at risk: Lateral femoral cutaneous n., sciatic n.
  • Wrist Arthroscopy:
    • Uses: Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) tears, ganglion removal, diagnostic.
    • Common portals: 3-4, 4-5 (radiocarpal).

Ankle Arthroscopy Procedure

  • General Arthroscopy Complications:
    • Intra-op: Instrument breakage, chondral injury, neurovascular damage, fluid extravasation (⚠️ compartment syndrome risk, esp. ankle/elbow).
    • Post-op: Infection (septic arthritis <1%), Deep Vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE), stiffness/arthrofibrosis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), portal issues (neuroma, sinus).

⭐ Pudendal nerve neurapraxia can occur in hip arthroscopy due to perineal post traction.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Partial meniscectomy is preferred over total for degenerative tears to prevent early osteoarthritis.
  • ACL reconstruction commonly uses hamstring autografts (semitendinosus-gracilis).
  • Rotator cuff repair is indicated for full-thickness tears to restore shoulder function.
  • Bankart repair addresses recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation by fixing the anteroinferior labrum.
  • SLAP lesion repair targets tears of the Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior.
  • Loose body removal prevents joint locking and further cartilage damage.
  • Microfracture for cartilage defects stimulates fibrocartilage formation.

Practice Questions: Therapeutic Arthroscopic Procedures

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The operative procedure known as "microfracture" is done for the

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Flashcards: Therapeutic Arthroscopic Procedures

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_____ tears present with hip pain and mechanical snapping or locking in patients that are active, have acetabular dyplasia, or femoacetabular impingement.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ tears present with hip pain and mechanical snapping or locking in patients that are active, have acetabular dyplasia, or femoacetabular impingement.

Hip labral

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