Traditional open surgery increases your risk of infection, blood loss, and a lengthy recovery. At his orthopedic clinic in Munster, Indiana, Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., specializes in arthroscopic procedures for improved patient outcomes. Dr. Pandhi performs these procedures through small incisions, allowing most patients to return home and start their recovery the same day as their procedure. Call the office or book an appointment online today to learn more about arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows Dr. Pandhi to diagnose and treat joint problems through small incisions. An arthroscope is a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached to the end. Dr. Pandhi makes small incisions and inserts the arthroscope, which generates images on an outside monitor.
Dr. Pandhi can diagnose and repair damage in your joint without fully opening the skin, which may improve outcomes for patients with joint pain and limited mobility.
During arthroscopy, Dr. Pandhi makes a tiny incision in your skin and inserts the arthroscope along with surgical instruments, magnifiers, and lighting equipment as thin as pencils. The camera at the end of the arthroscope displays real-time images of your joint on a video monitor. This allows Dr. Pandhi to see the joint, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Depending on the injury, Dr. Pandhi can repair damaged portions of your joint during the arthroscopic procedure.
Dr. Pandhi can evaluate and treat many types of joints through arthroscopic surgery. Common arthroscopic treatments include:
The knee joint is where the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) join. Dr. Pandhi uses arthroscopy to view the joint, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage that support and cushion it.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint that stabilizes and supports your upper body while allowing your lower body motion. Arthroscopic procedures allow Dr. Pandhi to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the joint and its surrounding muscles.
Arthroscopy gives Dr. Pandhi insight into your joint health and allows him to repair tears in the rotator cuff. The shoulder offers nearly 360 degrees of motion for your arm. The ball-and-socket joint connects the top of the humerus (upper arm) to the scapula (shoulder blade). This group of tissues stabilizes the joint.
Arthroscopy’s minimally invasive nature offers many benefits for patients with joint pain and limited mobility, including:
Dr. Pandhi may recommend arthroscopy if non-invasive pain management treatments, such as corticosteroid injections and physical therapy, haven’t provided you with the relief you need.
Call Nikhil Pandhi, D.O., M.P.H., today or book an appointment online to learn more about arthroscopy.