Arthroscopy is a form of joint treatment that can be used on dogs.
If your dog suffers from a joint injury or condition that makes it painful for him to move, consider sending him to the vet for an arthroscopy procedure. Unlike other forms of surgery, arthroscopy is minimally invasive and allows a veterinary surgeon to treat a damaged joint with a very small incision. Arthroscopy is also preferable to other kinds of surgery because it allows the wound to heal faster.
Arthroscopic Procedure
Arthroscopic procedures are minimally invasive.
During an arthrosopic procedure, the veterinary surgeon will make a small incision by the affected joint. An arthroscope is then inserted into the opening, which contains a small camera and a light source to transmit images to a television screen in the operating room. The surgeon uses the camera on the arthroscope to view the injury and perform any treatments without additional incisions.
Common Arthroscopic Treatments
Arthroscopic surgery is used to repair damaged joints.
Arthroscopic surgery is used to repair damage in joints, ligaments and tendons, or to remove lose cartilage. For dogs, veterinary surgeons can perform arthroscopic procedures on the stifle, shoulder, elbow, hip, and carpal and tarsal joints. The size of the dog will dictate the kind and size of the blades and equipment needed in surgery. Scalpel blades come in various sizes. These include numbers 15, 20 and 11 for small animals, and numbers 20 and 22 for larger animals.
Dog Sizes
For now, arthroscopy can only be performed on large dogs. The size of the dog that is able have the procedure depends also on which joint is damaged. According to the Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group, arthroscopy should only be performed on dogs that weigh at least 45 pounds.
Blades and Equipment
A scalpel is used to make the initial incision.
To perform an arthroscopic procedure, veterinary surgeons need the camera and lighting to project the image, as well as the instruments for making the incision. An article by the Indiana State Veterinary Medical Association recommends using a #11 scalpel for the initial incision. This blade size can be used on a variety of joints.
