Arthroscopic Debridement Of Calcium Deposits

Calcium deposits, mainly in the rotator cuffs are associated with narrowing of the sub-acromial space in shoulder joint. Local irregularities or foci of whitish discoloration may indicate a calcium deposit. While inspection, it may look like a hard deposit. With needling, when the calcium deposit is pierced with a needle, it may yield individual white crystals or a pasty white matter containing calcium.

The other method to remove calcium deposits is debridement; whichmeans surgical removal of lacerated, contaminated or devitalized tissue. In other words surgical removal of foreign material or dead tissue around wound. Arthroscopic debridement is a surgical intervention of removing damaged cartilage, bone, calcium deposits or other debris around the joint.

Requirement of arthroscopic debridement is done due to calcium crystal accumulate in an around the joint surrounding tissues leading toinflammation which further resulting in damage of joint cartilage. Old age people are commonly affected.

• Osteoarthritis
• Pseudogout (a severely painful inflammatory condition
• Chronic rheumatoid arthritis

The other joints affected are commonly:

• Knee
• Hip
• Wrist
• Ankle

Procedure

The accumulation of loose tissues, cartilages, damaged pieces of bones and calcium in and around the joint causes severe pain and restricts the range of movement. This process not only clean debris but debris are removed and the further damage caused by debris is repaired and the bony spurs on the joint are smoothened.

Pre-operative

The patient should inform the doctor, name of the medications that he/she is currently taking along with the dose details. The patient may need to have an ECGto check the condition of heart, few lab tests, or possiblya chest x-ray. If the patient is currently on blood thinning medications like Aspirin, then the doctor would suggest to stop them 5 to 7 days before surgery.

Arthroscopicor keyhole surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure of (examination and sometimes treatment) damage joint performed using an endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision.

• After making fewsmall incisions around the joint, an arthrocope is inserted by the surgeon to view damage condition of the joint.
• The joint is filling with fluid so that it expands by inserting another tool through differentincision giving the surgeon a better scope to view of the affected area and work accordingly.
• With the help of minimally invasive medical equipment, causing removal of calcium deposits and other accumulations around the joint and smoothening its irregular surface is done.
• Debris is removed by this procedure, then fluid is pumped out and instruments are removed. Incisions are closed by surgical staples or sutures.
• The time taken by surgery is about an hour and it is done either under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.

Recovery-

Arthroscopic debridement – Advantage is it is a daycare procedure and the patient may leave the hospital on the same day itself. Patient will require painkillers along with some regular physiotherapy sessions so that the joint remains flexible and normal mobility is restored.

Its minimally invasive procedure, even though the recovery is fast yet still it depends on how severe the damage has been in the affected area before the surgery.