SPORTS INJURY SURGICAL OPTIONS
Surgical intervention may be necessary when conservative treatments fail to address sports-related injuries adequately. Sports injury surgical options can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury.
Surgical procedures used to treat sports injuries:
Arthroscopic Surgery: Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat various joint-related injuries. During arthroscopic surgery, a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the joint through small incisions. This allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of the joint and perform procedures such as ligament repair, meniscus repair, cartilage restoration, and debridement of damaged tissues. Arthroscopic surgery typically results in less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and smaller scars compared to traditional open surgery.
Ligament Reconstruction: Ligament injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the knee or rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, may require surgical reconstruction to restore stability and function to the joint. Ligament reconstruction involves using graft tissue to replace the torn ligament and restore normal joint mechanics. This procedure is commonly performed using arthroscopic techniques but may sometimes require open surgery.
Tendon Repair: Tendon injuries, such as Achilles tendon ruptures or biceps tendon tears, may require surgical repair to reattach the torn tendon to its original insertion point. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, tendon repair may be performed using open surgery or minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy or percutaneous repair.
Cartilage Repair and Restoration: Cartilage injuries, such as articular cartilage defects or osteochondral lesions, can cause pain, swelling, and limited joint function. Surgical options for cartilage repair and restoration include techniques such as microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteochondral autograft transfer (OAT), and mosaicplasty. These procedures aim to promote the growth of new cartilage tissue and restore the smooth surface of the joint.
Fracture Fixation: Fractures resulting from sports injuries may require surgical fixation to realign and stabilize the broken bones. Surgical options for fracture fixation include internal fixation (using screws, plates, or rods to hold the bones together) and external fixation (using pins or wires placed outside the body). The choice of fixation method depends on factors such as the location and severity of the fracture, as well as the patient’s age and activity level.
Joint Replacement: In cases of severe joint damage or degenerative conditions, such as advanced osteoarthritis, joint replacement surgery may be considered to replace the damaged joint with an artificial prosthesis. Joint replacement procedures, such as total knee replacement, total hip replacement, or shoulder replacement, can provide pain relief and restore joint function, allowing patients to return to an active lifestyle.
Soft Tissue Release: In some cases, surgical release of tight or constricted soft tissues (such as tendons or ligaments) may be necessary to alleviate pain and improve joint function. Soft tissue release procedures involve cutting or lengthening the affected tissues to reduce tension and restore mobility.