Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Ashford Orthopedic Specialists
Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist located in Athens, GA also serving Oconee County and Clarke County
For some cases of knee or shoulder pain, surgery is a necessary part of treatment. With minimally invasive surgery by orthopedic surgeon William Ashford, MD at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, your operation comes with a shortened recovery time and less postoperative pain than more traditional surgery methods. To find out if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy or knee arthroscopy, call the office in Athens or Loganville, Georgia, or book an appointment online today.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Q & A
What is minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical category that doesn’t involve the large incisions of traditional surgery. Instead, it involves either very tiny incisions or poke holes through which Dr. Ashford can access your injured joint.
During a minimally invasive surgery at Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, Dr. Ashford provides you with some form of anesthesia to numb the area before making the small incisions or holes. He inserts a slender instrument with a camera at the end called an arthroscope, through one of the incisions. The camera sends a real-time image of the joint to a nearby monitor.
On the screen, Dr. Ashford can view the inside of the joint and make or confirm your diagnosis. He can also make repairs using this method by inserting tiny instruments through the holes and using the image on the screen for guidance.
While minimally invasive surgery has many advantages over traditional approaches, it isn’t the best treatment option for everyone. Before you consider minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ashford helps you explore other treatment options such as injections, physical therapy, and oral medications.
Which minimally invasive surgeries are available?
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, Dr. Ashford uses minimally invasive surgery to diagnose and treat complications involving your shoulders or knees. Depending on the location of your injury and the type, he might recommend:
Shoulder arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery to diagnose or treat injuries like rotator cuff tears, shoulder cartilage tears, labral tears, and shoulder dislocation. These injuries happen as the result of repetitive arm movements or as the result of a fall or injury.
Knee arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery to diagnose or treat injuries in one or both of your knees. Common reasons for knee arthroscopy include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears, meniscus tears, and patellar dislocations.
What are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery carries several advantages over traditional large-incision approaches. While it isn’t the right surgical approach in every patient, many people find it preferable because of these benefits:
- Shorter recovery time
- Less postoperative pain
- Less scarring
- Less bleeding
- Lower risk of infection and other complications
- No overnight hospital stay
To make sure you’re a candidate for minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Ashford goes over your medical history and asks questions about your health. He might ask you to stop taking certain medications or to take other steps to prepare for a safe and successful minimally invasive surgery.
To learn more about shoulder arthroscopy, knee arthroscopy, and minimally invasive surgery in general, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, or book an appointment online today.
We offer services such as shoulder replacement, shoulder surgery, and shoulder arthroscopy. Call us to book your appointment today.
