Minimally Invasive Surgery
Joint & Orthopaedic Surgery

Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and repair many joint problems. Most commonly used for knee and shoulder problems, arthroscopy can also be done on the elbow, wrist, hip, and ankle.

In arthroscopy, the Cooper surgeon uses a lighted, tube-shaped instrument called an arthroscope. He/she inserts the arthroscope, which is the width of a pencil, into a small incision (a cut called a portal) in the side of the joint.

The arthroscope contains optic fibers that transmit an image of the inside of the joint through a small camera to a video monitor in the operating room. The surgeon can clearly examine the area and determine the source of the problem. He/she can repair the problem by inserting tiny surgical instruments through other portal incisions in the joint. Arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures done in the United States.

With most arthroscopic procedures, patients can go home the same day. The anesthesia is usually a regional block (making entire arm or leg numb) along with sedation. This allows patients to go home comfortably the same day as the procedure. Some need to stay in the hospital overnight, depending on what procedure was performed.

Other minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures, such as minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis, are also available at Cooper. Cooper orthopaedic surgeons are part of the Cooper Bone & Joint Institute.

Minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery isn’t right for all patients. Before surgery, the Cooper surgeon will discuss the procedure, including whether to use a minimally invasive or traditional procedure, with the patient in detail.

For more information on Minimally Invasive Surgery options available at Cooper University Hospital or to schedule an appointment with a Cooper physician, please call our referral and information line at 1-800-8-COOPER.

	Arthroscopic Procedures Knee Arthroscopy Ankle Arthroscopy Shoulder Arthroscopy Hip Arthroscopy Elbow Arthroscopy Wrist Arthroscopy Other Minimally Invasive Orthopaedic Procedures Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis
	Dr. John Salvo, Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, explains the benefits of minimally invasive knee surgery. Knee Arthroscopy The largest joint in the body, the knee is where the thighbone (femur) connects to the shinbone (tibia) and the knee cap (patella). The bones are supported by muscles, which help the knee move, ligaments (cruciate and collateral), which connect the bones and stabilize the knee, and meniscal cartilage, which acts as a cushion and absorbs shock. More than 1.5 million knee arthroscopies are performed in this country each year. Many knee problems can be fixed through arthroscopy, including torn ligaments and cartilage. Shoulder Arthroscopy The bone of the upper arm (humerus) rests within a part of the shoulder blade (scapula) called the glenoid. Ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage surround the joint to maintain stability. Most shoulder problems involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, rather than the bones, which can become unstable or dislocated. Shoulder arthroscopy can be used to treat shoulder instability, shoulder impingement, tears of the rotator cuff, recurrent dislocations, and other conditions. Elbow Arthroscopy The elbow is a hinge and pivot joint where the upper arm bone (humerus) joins the two bones of the lower arm (ulna and radius). Conditions which affect the elbow include arthritis of the elbow joint and repetitive stress injuries such as tennis elbow. Arthroscopy can be used to remove bone spurs, loose fragments, or diseased joint linings due to arthritis. Dr. John Salvo, Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, explains the benefits of minimally invasive shoulder surgery. Ankle Arthroscopy The ankle joint is where the ankle bone (talus) meets the bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula). Three groups of ligaments support the joint. Arthroscopy can be used to treat arthritis of the ankle, remove loose fragments from a sprain or other injury, and repair or reconstruct ligaments or tendons. Hip Arthroscopy The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. It is the most difficult joint for arthroscopic procedures because of the bony anatomy. The thighbone (femur) fits inside a socket within the hipbone (pelvis). Hip arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and repair selected hip problems, such as labral tears, loose bodies, and synovitis. Wrist Arthroscopy The wrist, a complex joint, has eight bones and many ligaments. Wrist arthroscopy can be used to diagnose the cause of wrist pain and to treat many conditions, including: chronic wrist pain, fractures, ganglion cysts, ligament and cartilage tear, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Wrist arthroscopy can be used to remove small fragments and inflamed tissue, align broken bones, stabilize the joint with pins or screws, remove the stalk on which ganglion cysts occur, trim or repair tears of soft tissue, and enlarge the carpal tunnel to reduce pressure on the nerve. Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis is used to treat some fractures (broken bones) that occur around a joint. A broken bone must be carefully fixed in position and supported until it is strong enough to bear weight. Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis is a way to treat fractures internally—using metal plates, pins, or screws to hold the bone in proper position while it is healing.

Doctors Who Perform These Procedures

• Lawrence S. Miller, M.D.
• David H. Clements, III, M.D.
• Eric D. Farrell, M.D.
• David A. Fuller, M.D.
• Eric L. Hume, M.D.
• Robert F. Ostrum, M.D.
• John Salvo, M.D.