Many operations on large joints such as the knee and shoulder may be performed using minimally invasive "keyhole" surgery techniques. These include the majority of operations performed by our sports surgeons in the Division of Sports Medicine. In fact, with improved technology and video instrumentation, other joints such as the elbow, ankle, wrist and even hip may be treated with arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopy or "scope" surgery involves making a small 3 to 5 mm incision in the skin, and then using this incision to insert a fiberoptic camera that can look into the joint. One to four other similar sized incisions are used to put the various surgical instruments into the joint to perform the cartilage or ligament surgery. The picture on the left demonstrates how waterproof dressings are applied to the small surgical wounds, allowing patients to shower on the evening after surgery. The video demonstrates how a complex shoulder rotator cuff tear was repaired in the same patient.
The clarity of view, and the magnification of arthroscopic surgery allow highly complex reconstructive joint operations to be performed. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction of the knee is routinely performed arthroscopically. Our surgeons also perform Arthroscopic Double-bundle ACL reconstructions, a type of ACL surgery which may result in better knee function. Arthroscopic shoulder stabilisation (sometimes called Arthroscopic Bankart Repair) is now the method of choice used by all our sports surgeons for recurrent shoulder dislocation or instability.

Some common conditions that our surgeons routinely use arthroscopy include:-

• ACL, PCL and other ligament reconstructions about the knee joint
• Meniscus tears of the knee - debridement as well as repair
• Shoulder dislocation and instability
• Shoulder rotator cuff disease and tears
• Loose bodies in the shoulder, knee, elbow or ankle
• Cartilage ulcers in the knee and ankle
• Certain operations involving the elbow, ankle and even hip
• Assisting in the treatment of certain fractures involving joints

The Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery at NUH also offers comprehensive arthroscopic treatment options for traumatic as well as degenerative conditions of the wrist joint.

Our Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons are available for consultation daily. For appointments, click here.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074.