Arthrotomy is a surgical technique commonly used in cases of orthopedic emergencies. However, it can also be applied as a diagnostic method for multiple joint pathologies; in the drainage of fluids or to remove a foreign body that is causing discomfort.
Arthrotomy is a surgical procedure in which a conventional incision is made over a joint to expose its internal structures and make it easier to see.
This procedure allows the orthopedic specialist to observe, clean, drain, remove or treat different problems within a joint (knee, hip, wrist, ankle or shoulder).
Before surgery, the patient will receive general, local or regional anesthesia to numb the area to be operated on; Subsequently, the surgeon will proceed to make the relevant incisions according to the complexity of the case.
Through these surgical openings, the orthopedist will be able to directly observe the affected joint, having the opportunity to remove tissue samples for analysis, drain fluids, remove small tumors, bone fragments, loose cartilage or parts of devitalized tissue.
Once the problem is solved, each of the incisions will be closed with stitches and a clean dressing. Your surgeon will likely recommend immobilizing the area with a device that is appropriate for the arthrotomy you have received.
Today, knee arthrotomy is mainly used to treat septic arthritis of the knee; a condition that can cause great damage to the joint and even sepsis, when the purulent fluid is not drained in a timely manner.
In this case, arthrotomy has proven to be a more efficient option than arthroscopy for joint debridement, delaying the use of prostheses even if the progression of osteoarthritis persists.
Although there are more innovative methods, knee arthrotomy continues to be a procedure with satisfactory results in cases of joint infections; foreign bodies can be removed during the operation, substances can be drained and dead tissue can be removed more precisely.
Hip arthrotomy is currently being evaluated as a possible option to address various intra-articular problems, after the patient has undergone a periacetabular osteotomy to correct hip dysplasia.
Occasionally, osteotomy can leave accidental injuries which must be evaluated later by means of an anterior hip arthrotomy. Among the main damages derived from an osteotomy we can mention: labral rupture, femoroacetabular impingement and chondral, acetabular and femoral injuries.
Hip arthrotomy has long been maintained as a promising and effective alternative to improve the health conditions of patients with hip arthritis.
Septic arthritis of the hip is a type of bacterial infection where organisms such as staphylococcus aureus, gram bacilli and streptococcus agalactiae, nest in the joint and cause its infection.
This disease usually manifests itself more frequently in young children, causing severe pain from the hip to the knee, fever, and lameness.
The wrist is the most complex joint structure in the entire human body, therefore, the different injuries that may occur in it must be treated with the highest precision. Wrist arthrotomy can solve common problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, and gout.
The wrist contains a considerable amount of synovial fluid, which can be altered by various conditions such as synovitis or synovial cyst. Although the initial treatment for these cases is based on rest and anti-inflammatory medications, when there is no positive response, the chances of referring the patient to surgery for wrist arthrotomy to drain the fluids increase.
Ankle arthrotomy is a therapeutic-exploratory method through which we can evaluate the state of the different components of its anatomy, repair minor problems or establish the diagnosis for subsequent surgery.
Much orthopedic ankle treatment is conservative. However, when the joint has fixation problems, neuromuscular pathologies, fractures, arthritis or osteoarthritis; It will require more specific actions where they appear: ankle arthrodesis, or failing that, joint replacement (arthroplasty).
Shoulder arthrotomy allows for a complete joint approach, by expanding the surgeon’s visual field and allowing him to define which bone, ligamentous or muscular structure is causing a problem for the joint.
By this same means, a large part of the lesions found can be treated, as long as the doctor considers that this option is the most convenient for the patient at that time.
Arthrotomy provides surgeons with direct access to the joint, allowing them to accurately visualize and treat injuries or conditions present.
This surgical technique is especially useful for treating complex or extensive joint injuries, such as fractures, ligament tears, or damaged cartilage.
Using arthrotomy, surgeons can repair or reconstruct damaged structures in the joint (ligaments, tendons, or menisci).
If foreign bodies are present in the joint, bone fragments, or cartilage, arthrotomy allows them to be removed precisely.
By treating and correcting injuries or conditions in the joint, arthrotomy helps markedly improve the mobility and function of the affected joint.
Preparation before the procedure is important to ensure a safe and successful surgery. Some considerations to keep in mind include:
After an arthrotomy, the specialist will give you precise indications to ensure an adequate recovery. The most common post-surgical recommendations in these cases involve aspects such as:
In this space, we answer the most repeated questions about this topic…
The recovery periods are different for each patient, this is due to the complexity of the procedure and the different techniques used by the specialist.
It can take weeks or months for patients to regain full function of their joint; However, the specialist usually indicates a particular prognosis for each person based on the results of the surgery.
Indeed, arthrotomy leaves a scar on the joint of a few centimeters in extension, its shape is established according to the orientation required in each case (longitudinal, transverse or oblique).
The arthrotomy used as a visualization method does not imply a prolonged incapacitation, since in this case, the doctor only makes an incision to visualize the inside of the joint; In this sense, the time of sick leave will be determined by the level of technical difficulty applied in the procedure and the evolution of the patient.
To obtain a concrete prognosis, we recommend that you consult your orthopedist directly who knows all the details of your health situation.
As with any other type of joint repair surgery, the patient must:
In an arthrotomy, the patient is exposed to:
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