Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and repair damage to the ankle joint. A surgical tool called an arthroscope is inserted into the joint through a small incision. An arthroscope is a soft fiberoptic tube with a light and lenses on the end. After the arthroscopy, you may have some pain and swelling for a few days. The arthroscope allows the physician to view the inside of the damaged joint so that they can repair the injury without having to completely expose the joint. Typically, patients who have this type of surgery can have it performed as an outpatient procedure to avoid a hospital stay.

Hip arthroscopy is also performed by making just a few small incisions and inserting a camera attached to an arthroscope to view the inside of a joint. The surgeon performs the necessary repairs by inserting the necessary tools through 2-3 other small incisions. Like all arthroscopic procedures, hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that helps facilitate a successful recovery. Following surgery patients work to regain motion around the joint and build strength.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to examine and repair a damaged knee. Physicians use an arthroscope to capture images of the inside of the knee joint without having to completely expose the tissues. This allows the surgeon to examine, diagnose, and treat knee disorders. ACL injuries and Patella Tendonitis are common injuries that can be treated with knee arthroscopy.

Reconstructive surgery involves re-building a part of the body that is too damaged for a surgeon to repair. Often grafts of tissue from other parts of the body can be used to re-build torn ligaments or tendons that cannot be stitched back together. There are a variety of different sports disorders that may require reconstructive surgery, most notably an ACL tear.

Blood is made of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. PRP is blood plasma that contains a high level of platelets. Proteins and growth factors in these platelets facilitate this innovative treatment by stimulating the regeneration of damaged or injured tissue. A small sample of the patient's blood is taken and placed into a centrifuge, a mechanical device that spins at high speed to separate the red blood cells from the platelets. The PRP is isolated and injected directly into the injured tissue. As part of the process, new collagen and vascular tissue will begin to form. The injured tissue will enter a improvement phase and begin to mature.

The socket of the shoulder joint is extremely shallow and requires extra support to hold the proper bones in place. To provide this support the labrum, a cuff of cartilage, lines the shoulder joint to make it deeper. The labrum is a thick tissue that is susceptible to traumatic injury and degradation by aging as it becomes brittle and can fray and tear.

Symptoms

• Aching in the shoulder joint
• Catching of the shoulder with movement
• Pain when moving the shoulder or with overhead movements

Treatment

• Pain medication or ice packs to relieve symptoms
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

A superior labral tear from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion is an injury to the labrum, the fibrous cartilage rim attached around the glenoid cavity, which is located in the shoulder. This injury occurs at a variety of different degrees of severity and a range of activities can cause pain from strenuous activities to routine movements.

Symptoms

• Dull throbbing ache in the shoulder
• Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort
• Decreased stability in the joint
• Shoulder drop that pulls on the muscles and ligaments causing pain
• Loss of strength in the shoulder
• Pain and a catching feeling when throwing

Treatment

• Ice packs to relieve pain from swelling or inflammation
• Physical therapy
• Surgery to reattach the labrum to the glenoid (most common treatment)

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the shoulder joint is wrenched upward or backward, forcing it out of the socket. This injury is common in contact sports. About 95% of shoulder dislocations occur in the anterior inferior direction, causing pain and loss of motion in the arm and shoulder.

Symptoms

• Lack of mobility of the shoulder
• Numbness throughout the arm
• Pain in shoulder radiating down the length of the arm
• Shoulder and arm feel frozen in place

Treatment

• Placement into sling or splint
• Immediate medical consultation
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Lateral Cruciate Ligament (LCL), and Medial Cruciate Ligament (MCL) hold the knee joint together. Any of these ligaments can be damaged or torn, causing pain and instability in the knee. These injuries, which are common in athletes, occur most often due to excess force on the knee joint.

Symptoms

• A loud pop in the knee at the time of injury
• Swelling of the knee immediately after sustaining the injury
• Restriction of movement in the knee joint
• Extensive amounts of pain after the injury occurs

Treatment

• Basic first aid to stabilize the knee and reduce swelling
• Physical rehabilitation program
• Reconstructive surgery
• Arthoroscopic surgery

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common cause of lateral knee pain. ITBS develops among athletes who either run constantly or who repeatedly flex or extend their knees. Long distance runners and cyclists are extremely prone to ITBS, but it is also found in tennis, soccer and volleyball players.

Symptoms

• Pain on the outside of knee especially during exercise
• Tightness in the Illiotibial band
• Weakness during hip abduction

Treatment

• Rest and Ice
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Ultrasound and electronic stimulation
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
• Surgery for severe cases

Tendonitis occurs due to overuse of tendons, connective tissue made of collagen fibers. Acute tendonitis can occur when use of the tendon is rapidly increased over a short period of time. This type of tendonitis normally fades with rest, but can become chronic tendonitis if untreated. Chronic tendonitis can be caused by increased activity, lowered recovery time between exertion, new footwear, or weakened muscles.

Symptoms

• Pain increasing over time
• Pain at the beginning of exercise but disappearing slowly during the activity
• Injured area is tender to touch

Treatment

• Rest and apply ice to injury
• Anti-inflammatory medication if necessary
• Sports massage or ultrasound
• Physical Therapy

Bursae are small fluid-filled sac-like structures that allow tendons to glide over bones or under the skin to facilitate movement. These structures provide a low-friction surface for tendons to move without getting irritated. Bursitis occurs when the bursa is irritated due to trauma, overuse, infection, or systemic disorders like arthritis.

Symptoms

• Affected area may be red or warm
• End-range of motion will be restricted moderately
• Tenderness at the location of the injury

Treatment

• Rest and protection following the injury
• Draining of the bursa by a physician if necessary
• Cortisone injection to limit inflammation and create a permanent solution to the injury if necessary
• Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed if necessary
• Surgery if the bursitis does not respond to other treatment options

Lateral Epicondylitis is an overuse injury that occurs from performing repetitive motion with the forearm and arm muscles, often associated with Tennis players. The tendons that connect the forearm muscles on the outside of the muscle become inflamed.

Symptoms

• Pain on outside of elbow
• Gripping and lifting objects becomes difficult
• Sometimes radiating pain down arm

Treatment

• Resting the elbow joint
• R.I.C.E. method
• Wrapping the forearm right below the elbow joint
• Anti-inflammatory medication if necessary

Medial Epicondylitis occurs when the flexors of the forearm are inflamed or torn from overuse or a lack of blood supply to the regions, making tendons frail. The pain is located on the inside of the elbow.

Symptoms

• Pain on the inside of elbow
• Pain increasing with flexing of wrist
• Pain radiating down the entire arm

Treatment

• R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
• Ultrasound and electric stimulation
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

A sprain is caused by the stretching or tearing of ligaments the tissue that attaches bone to bone. A strain occurs when muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bone. Sprains or strains occur throughout the body, but tend to be prevalent near joints.

Symptoms

• Swelling and Bruising
• Pain in effected area
• Tenderness in or around effected area
• Numbness
• Not capable or difficulty with weight bearing activities

Treatment

• R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary

Fractures can occur for a number of reasons related to trauma to the bone. Traumatic injuries, including those sustained during falls, car accidents, or fights, can cause bone to break.

Symptoms

• Sharp, intense pain
• Popping, or snapping sounds
• Swelling and inflammation near or around injury location
• A visible, unnatural bend in a bone

Treatment

• Casting or bracing
• Surgery
• Locking plate technology

Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation originates from tightening of the Plantar Fascia, which will tear instead of flexing as the foot moves. Complications with the knees, hip, or back are common because inflammation changes the athletes walking motion, stressing other joints. Pain is common after exercise, when getting out of bed, or after rising from periods of inactivity.

Symptoms

• Sharp pain in heel or foot
• Heightened pain after waking
• Pain after sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time

Treatment

• Rest & Ice
• Keep weight off the foot until the pain and inflammation subsides
• Avoiding running, jumping, or walking without any support or cushioning
• Use of Orthotics
• Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
• Stretching exercise