Minimally Invasive Procedures Reduce Pain and Speed Recovery Times

As part of our commitment to providing the best medical care possible, we are constantly investing in the most innovative medical equipment available today. This investment in improved facilities, new equipment, and continuous staff training is evidenced by the availability of cutting-edge orthopedic procedures at Asante.

One of the biggest advances in orthopedic medicine is the development of minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures as an alternative to traditional surgery for joint repair. Arthroscopy eliminates the need for large surgical incisions, greatly reducing the risk of complications, post-operative swelling, and pain while dramatically improving recovery times. Originally used as a diagnostic tool, arthroscopic procedures are now commonly used for knee, shoulder, and hip repair. A tremendous advantage of these procedures is that most are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to begin rehabilitation and return to daily activities within days.

During an arthroscopic procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision and inserts into the joint a tiny tube with a lens and a light source (the arthroscope). Once the damage is assessed, the surgeon can insert additional medical instruments through other small incisions to repair the joint. Arthroscopy can be used to remove extra pieces of bone and repair damaged cartilage and other tissues.

Although arthroscopic procedures are not an option for all orthopedic surgeries, recent advances in these techniques have greatly increased the number of people who are eligible for joint repair. Thanks to the minimally invasive nature of arthroscopic procedures, many sports-related injuries that would previously have limited future athletic activity through continued pain and decreased mobility can now be fully repaired.