What Age-Related Issues Can PRP Treat?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a revolutionary treatment for many issues, including age-related joint pain and injuries. Read on to learn what other issues PRP can treat as you age.
Here’s How to Prepare for Your Arthroscopic Procedure
If you have pain in your joint that hasn’t been relieved with conservative treatments, you may need a procedure called an arthroscopy. This procedure is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows our doctors to see into your joint, and fix or diagnose any problems within.
At Alpha Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our team boasts a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to treating joint conditions. The team consists of six expert orthopedic specialists, who offer arthroscopic procedures for a number of problems that may pop up.
Understanding an arthroscopy
An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that’s used when you have pain in your joint. This type of procedure is done using anesthesia, but only requires our doctors to make a few tiny incisions in your skin.
To perform an arthroscopy, the team uses an instrument called an arthroscope. This instrument has a light and camera attached to it, to allow our team to see inside your joint on a screen in the operating room.
While the arthroscope is inserted in your joint, our doctors examine the inside structures within your joint to determine what’s causing your symptoms. Not only is an arthroscopy able to diagnose your condition, in most cases, our team is able to properly treat the condition using tiny arthroscopic tools.
There are many different types of arthroscopy that can be done, including knee arthroscopy and shoulder arthroscopy. It can also be performed on smaller joints in your body, like your wrist or your ankles.
What conditions does an arthroscopy treat?
Anytime you’re dealing with joint problems that are resistant to conservative treatments, our team may suggest an arthroscopy to diagnose and treat the problem. This minimally invasive procedure is helpful for a number of different issues, including:
- Arthritis
- Meniscus tears
- ACL tears
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder impingement
- Torn ligaments and tendons
Arthroscopic surgery is also used when you have hip pain. During the procedure, our doctors examine the inside of your hip joint to determine the damage that’s there due to either injury or chronic conditions like arthritis.
How to properly prepare for an arthroscopy
If you’re in need of arthroscopic surgery, you’ll need to take a few steps to prepare before the day of your procedure.
You’ll need to get bloodwork before surgery, to make sure there’s nothing that could cause problems with anesthesia or the procedure. You’ll also need a physical exam, to ensure you’re healthy enough to have surgery.
Our team also goes over your daily medications with you, as some need to be stopped a few days before surgery. This includes blood thinners and certain herbal supplements, as they can induce unnecessary bleeding during surgery.
You’ll also want to prepare your home for after the procedure. You may not be able to go upstairs for a couple of days, so you want to adjust accordingly. Make some of your meals ahead of time, so you don’t have to be up and walking around more than needed.
This procedure requires anesthesia, so you’ll need to find someone who can give you a ride home. Anesthetics can remain in your body for 24 hours or so, and you’ll need to have someone stay with you to ensure you’re safe.
Anesthesia can also induce nausea and vomiting, so you won’t be able to eat anything after midnight the day before your surgery. This ensures that your stomach is empty, and the chances of vomiting or aspirating it into your lungs during surgery is slim.
Our team goes over all of your pre-surgical instructions with you a few days before the procedure, to make sure you understand all of the instructions and risks associated with it.
If you’re in need of arthroscopic surgery, call our team at Alpha Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at one of our three locations in McKinney, Prosper, and Sherman, Texas, to schedule an appointment. You can also book a consultation today with us online too.
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