scopies, flexible, angle-guided instruments can turn a 4-to-5-incision
surgery into a 2-to-3-incision procedure.
Meniscal repairs have also improved dramatically in recent years
because of low-profile, all-inside arthroscopic repair devices. While
meniscal repairs used to be performed through inside-out techniques
— where large open incisions were made in the back of the knee so
the sutures could be passed through the meniscus around a tear —
we're now seeing more all-inside procedures because the meniscal
tear devices are available in adjustable depths and varying angles to
help reach different types of tears. These new devices do not require
big open incisions, but still provide excellent reduction and fixation of
the meniscus tear.
5
Pump flow systems
While there's nothing wrong with wanting to have the best imag-
ing tools or the newest arthroscopy instruments and devices, it should
never be done at the expense of your pump flow system. All too often,
this is an area that gets overlooked. Pump flow is the workhorse of
arthroscopy.
As opposed to first-generation pumps that relied solely on gravity to
pump fluid into the joint, today's "smart" pumps are much more effi-
cient at regulating flow and preventing excess fluid from getting into
the surrounding tissues. The latest pumps have the ability to push and
pull fluid into and out of the joint and automatically adjust the level to
achieve an equilibrium. If you haven't updated your pump system
recently, this is something that should be at the top of your priority list
for consideration. After all, a proper arthroscopy pump system is a criti-
cal part for visualizing and performing arthroscopic procedures.
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