Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist

What is minimally invasive surgery?

The term minimally invasive surgery describes surgical procedures that do not require large incisions and significant displacement of tissue. These procedures use a series of small incisions to gain access to the surgical site. 

With traditional open surgery, your provider usually makes one large incision to access the area of focus and to enable a visual inspection of the targeted tissues. Minimally invasive surgery uses advanced technology to gather images of your internal structures and project them onto an external screen. 

What are the benefits of minimally invasive orthopedic surgery?

Minimally invasive orthopedic surgery offers numerous benefits as compared with open procedures. One advantage is the ability to perform surgeries in less time. The more time you spend under anesthesia, the higher the risk of related complications.

Additional benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

• Faster recovery time
• Less alteration of skin, muscle tissue, blood vessels, and nerves
• Reduced risk of infection
• Less scarring
• Less postoperative pain
• Reduced swelling
• Less blood loss

While minimally invasive orthopedic surgery isn’t an option for every surgical need, when it provides a good fit, it is usually the preferred method. An outpatient procedure, minimally invasive surgery is easy to fit into your busy schedule.  

How does arthroscopic surgery work?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical approach for joint procedures, such as rotator cuff repairs. The process uses a device called an arthroscope, which is a tube fitted with a tiny fiber-optic light and camera. This device gathers real-time imaging of the targeted area and displays those images on an external screen. 

Your surgeon at Valdosta Orthopedic Associates inserts the arthroscope through one small incision, and additional small incisions allow specialized surgical tools to reach the area of focus. They are able to see the interior of your joint throughout the procedure and complete the repair work by using the screen to guide their movements. 

Single portal arthroscopy is also available in certain settings, such as for knee surgery, and requires just one incision. 

Arthroscopy can also play a role in diagnosing joint conditions. It’s a versatile tool that allows the team to not only determine the cause of your symptoms but, in many cases, your provider can move forward with repairs during the same procedure. It’s even possible to transition to an open surgical approach if arthroscopy is not delivering optimal results. 

If you have questions or concerns about minimally invasive surgery, book a consultation at Valdosta Orthopedic Associates online or over the phone today.