Arthroscopic surgery is a way to inspect and perform joint surgery. This procedure is usually performed on the knee, shoulder, elbow, or wrist and involves inserting an arthroscope - which consists of a tiny tube, a lens, and a light source -- into the joint to look for and repair damage.
Common Reasons For Arthroscopic Surgery
A physician may order arthroscopic surgery if there is:
- A need for joint surgery
- Damaged meniscus (the piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint area)
- Joint pain from an injury
- Joint disease
- Lesions or other problems detected by x-rays
- Signs of bone fragments from a fracture
- Signs of a torn ligament
- Unexplainable joint pain
Arthroscopy can also help see if a disease is getting better or worse, or to determine whether a treatment is working.
Arthroscopic Surgery at Virtua
Virtua offers a variety of arthroscopic surgery options, including minimally invasive techniques.
Virtua's Sports Medicine Program offers comprehensive services for injury prevention, education, evaluation and advanced treatment of movement-related pain or injuries.
The program's three co-medical directors are board-certified orthopedic surgeons, fellowship-trained in sports medicine and specialize in the treatment and surgical management of sports medicine injuries. In addition, they treat activity-based pains and strains that keep patients from normal activities. Virtua's Sports Medicine Program specializes in injuries to the knee, elbow, shoulder, hand and ankle.
Definition
This test measures the concentration of sodium in the blood.
Alternative Names
Serum sodium
Risks
Possible risks from any blood test include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
- Multiple punctures to locate veins