Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to diagnose and treat problems with the joints. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dominique Nickson, MD offers arthroscopy surgery to patients throughout McKinney, Texas, and surrounding areas including Frisco, Allen, Plano and Prosper, Texas. Patients who are interested in arthroscopy should contact Next Step Orthopedics to make an appointment with Dr. Nickson.

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What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy, or arthroscopic surgery, is a minimally-invasive procedure that Dr. Nickson uses to diagnose and treat problems in the joints. During this procedure, he inserts a narrow tube into the joint through a small incision. This tube is attached to a video camera that Dr. Nickson uses to visualize the inside of the joint. If Dr. Nickson is also repairing a problem during arthroscopic surgery, he will insert thin instruments into the joint through a separate incision.

When is arthroscopy appropriate?

Dr. Nickson can use arthroscopic surgery to diagnose and treat problems with the knee, ankle, foot, or shoulder. He may recommend this procedure when he needs to see the inside of the joint to confirm a specific diagnosis, or when he needs to repair an injury or defect the joint. Injuries and defects Dr. Nickson can treat with arthroscopic surgery include:

  • Scarring in the joint
  • Infections
  • Torn ligaments
  • Damaged cartilage
  • Loose bone fragments
  • Inflammation

What are the benefits of arthroscopy?

Minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery offers several advantages over more invasive treatments. With arthroscopy, Dr. Nickson is able to see inside the patient’s joint without making a large incision. This leads to a smaller scar, less damage to surrounding tissues, and a reduced recovery time. Patients may also experience less pain after an arthroscopic surgery, and it may cost less overall than a more invasive procedure.

What are the risks of arthroscopic surgery?

Like all surgical procedures, arthroscopic surgery poses a risk of infection, bleeding, and bad reactions to anesthesia. However, the risks associated with arthroscopic surgery tend to be less serious than the risks associated with other procedures.

How can patients decide whether arthroscopic surgery is appropriate?

Arthroscopic surgery may not be appropriate for every patient. In some cases, a patient’s injury or condition may not be severe enough to warrant surgery. In other cases, the patient may need a more invasive procedure. Dr. Nickson reviews each individual patient’s case carefully to determine whether arthroscopic surgery would be beneficial. If he believes that arthroscopic surgery is a viable option, he will explain all of the patient’s treatment options in detail so that the patient can make the right choice.