Pediatric Arthroscopy
Pediatric Arthroscopy
What is Pediatric Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopic surgery is a less invasive surgical technique to treat problems inside children’s joints, including knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and ankles. During the procedure, your child’s physician inserts an arthroscope (a thin, lighted tube with a small camera attached) through tiny incisions in the joint, along with special instruments. The physician can visualize, evaluate and treat the problem during the same visit.
At Children’s Andrews Institute, our pediatric orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic surgery. Our team’s goal is to provide our young patients with the least invasive, most effective treatments possible.
What are the benefits of Pediatric Arthroscopy?
Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
- Faster recovery
- Less pain after surgery (in most cases)
- Smaller incisions
- Earlier return to normal activities such as sports
- Shorter hospital stay
- Decreased infection risk
What can I expect with Pediatric Arthroscopy treatment?
Before the procedure, you and your child meet with the surgeon to learn how arthroscopy works and what to expect after surgery. The team will answer any questions you may have.
Arthroscopy involves several steps:
- A pediatric orthopaedic subspecialist gives medication to help your child fall asleep.
- The surgeon makes tiny incisions in your child’s affected joint to gain access inside.
- The surgeon inserts an arthroscope (a thin, lighted tube with a small camera attached) and other special instruments to examine the joint.
- Using this equipment, the surgeon can visualize, evaluate and treat your child’s injury.
- After closing the incision, the procedure is complete.
- The surgery lasts 60 to 90 minutes.
- Your child recovers in our post-op recovery room. Here, nurse specialists experienced in caring for pediatric orthopaedic patients provide around-the-clock monitoring.
- In most cases, children are able to go home the same day.
- After surgery, your surgeon and our in-house physical therapists work together to design a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Children’s?
At the Andrews Institute, we are one of the few pediatric centers in North Texas offering a superior level of orthopaedic and sports medicine expertise, advanced technology and innovative treatments in one convenient location. Highlights of our program include:
- Pediatric expertise: Our appreciation for your child’s unique anatomy ensures a safe procedure. Our pediatric surgeons are highly trained in treating children’s growing bones and supporting their healthy development. Our pediatric nurses and anesthesiologists also have extensive experience caring for children during surgical procedures.
- Comprehensive diagnostic tools: Our surgeons have access to the latest, most innovative technology, including sophisticated imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans.
- Personalized care: Our multidisciplinary team of highly skilled physicians, surgeons, nurses and in-house physical therapists works together to provide your child with comprehensive, personalized care, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.
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What conditions do we treat with Arthroscopy?
Your child may need arthroscopy to treat:
- Acetabular labral (hip) tear
- ACL injury
- Ankle instability and sprains
- Articular cartilage injury
- Elbow instability
- Hip impingement
- Legg Calve Perthes disease
- Meniscus tears
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Shoulder instability and dislocation
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)