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A R T H R O S C O P Y
Even a small arthroscopic incision is
continues to evolve, I can imagine a
an opening between the outside world
time in the not-too-distant future
and the joint. In the post-surgical, post-
when we use nanotechnology to
discharge recovery period, another
assist us in joint repairs: tiny robots
possible risk is that the wound can
injected into the patient that we're
become lined with skin — a condition
operating remotely. But until then,
called a fistula — and remain open to
adopt safe practices, even for the
the joint for weeks or months, allowing
most minimally invasive of proce-
the joint to pump fluid out. A fistula
dures. OSM
can require a re-operation to properly
Dr. Parekh (selene.parek h@g mail.com)
operates at the North Carolina
Orthopaedic Clinic and Duke
Orthopaedics in Durham, N.C., where he
is an associate professor in the
department of orthopaedic surgery.
seal up the wound. But the complication can often be prevented entirely by
immobilizing the recently treated joint
for a short time following surgery to let
the skin heal. Skin that's repeatedly
tugged, such as layers that envelop the
elbow and the ankle, may experience
difficulties in healing. A splint in place
for a few days or up to 2 weeks postop, while a temporary inconvenience
to the patient, can promote healing.
Safety, here and now
It seems difficult to believe that at
one time, arthroscopy involved peering into an eyepiece. Now the state
of the art includes miniaturized components that deliver high-definition
images. As arthroscopy technology
A U G U S T 2013 | S U P P L E M E N T
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