Our Summary
This research paper is about the creation of a new online, open-access journal called Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation (ASMAR). This journal will serve as a companion to the existing journals Arthroscopy and Arthroscopy Techniques. The authors believe there is a need for this new journal because there are many high-quality research submissions that don’t get published in Arthroscopy due to space and time constraints. This new journal will provide an additional platform for these studies to be shared and read.
FAQs
- What is Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation (ASMAR)?
- How does ASMAR relate to the existing Arthroscopy and Arthroscopy Techniques journals?
- Why was there a need to create ASMAR, despite the existence of other similar publications?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about arthroscopy is to follow post-operative rehabilitation and physical therapy guidelines diligently to ensure a successful recovery and optimal outcomes. It is important to communicate any concerns or difficulties with your healthcare team during the recovery process.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended arthroscopy are those who have joint pain, swelling, stiffness, or instability that has not improved with conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or medication. Common conditions that may benefit from arthroscopy include:
- Meniscus tears in the knee
- Ligament tears such as ACL or PCL tears in the knee
- Cartilage damage
- Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder
- Labral tears in the hip or shoulder
- Loose bodies in the joint
- Synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining)
- Osteoarthritis
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to diagnose and treat joint problems with small incisions and specialized tools. It is often recommended for patients who want to avoid more invasive surgery or who have not had success with other treatments. Patients with these conditions may benefit from arthroscopy to relieve pain, improve joint function, and prevent further damage to the joint.
Timeline
Before arthroscopy:
- Patient experiences joint pain, swelling, stiffness, or instability.
- Patient consults with a healthcare provider who recommends arthroscopy as a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat the issue.
- Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and tests to assess their overall health and suitability for surgery.
After arthroscopy:
- Patient undergoes arthroscopic surgery, where a small camera and instruments are inserted into the joint through small incisions.
- Patient may experience some pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint post-operatively.
- Patient undergoes physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength, range of motion, and function in the joint.
- Patient gradually resumes normal activities and sports as advised by their healthcare provider.
- Patient follows up with their healthcare provider for monitoring and evaluation of the joint’s healing progress.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What is arthroscopy and how can it help my condition?
- What are the risks and potential complications associated with arthroscopy?
- What is the recovery process like after arthroscopy?
- Are there any alternative treatments to arthroscopy that I should consider?
- How long will it take for me to see improvements in my condition after arthroscopy?
- How many arthroscopic procedures have you performed and what is your success rate?
- What will be the cost of the arthroscopy procedure and will it be covered by my insurance?
- Are there any specific pre-operative or post-operative instructions I should follow?
- What should I do if I experience any severe pain or complications after the arthroscopy procedure?
- When can I return to my normal activities and exercise routine after arthroscopy?
Reference
Authors: Lubowitz JH, Brand JC, Rossi MJ. Journal: Arthroscopy. 2019 Aug;35(8):2253-2254. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2019.05.037. PMID: 31395154