Earlier doctors followed the conventional surgical technique. That is, the doctors cut open the body making a large incision to perform the repair surgeries. This traditional surgical method has many disadvantages. The patient will have a prolonged hospital stay, and even recovery is slower. The patient might also need a long physiotherapy session to regain strength and mobility. However, in some cases open surgery is the preferred approach and results in better outcomes.
But thanks to the advancement in healthcare and orthopedics. The doctors now possess the expertise to perform the repair surgery through small incisions. This method is called a minimally-invasive procedure. As the name suggests, the doctors make small incisions to repair tears and fractures.
Unlikely in the case of a conventional method, the doctor can perform these procedures as day surgery. It offers many advantages to the patient as well. Often they can leave the hospital on the same day, and most importantly, recovery is faster.
Some of the minimally-invasive procedures in sports medicine are:
- Knee arthroscopy
- Hip arthroscopy
- Ankle Arthroscopy
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Elbow Arthroscopy