With the aid of an arthroscope, Dr. Cherney can easily examine, diagnose, and treat joint problems which, in earlier years, may have been extremely difficult to even identify.

The arthroscope is a small fiber-optic viewing instrument made up of a tiny lens, light source and video camera. The surgical instruments used in arthroscopic surgery are very small (only 3 to 5 mm. in diameter), but are designed to present a magnified picture.

The surgeon inserts the arthroscope into the joint through a tiny incision (about 1/4 of an inch) called a portal. Other portals are used for the insertion of surgical instruments. With small incision sites and direct access to most areas of the joint, the surgeon can diagnose and correct a wide variety of problems such as arthritis and ligament tears. Arthroscopy can also be used in conjunction with open procedures, such as an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction, as well as procedures dealing with the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle.

Traumatic Knee Problems

Some knee problems result from a single injury, such as a direct blow or sudden force that shifts the knee beyond its normal range of movement. Other problems, such as osteoarthritis, result from years of wear and tear on the articular cartilage. 

Inflammatory Knee Problems

Inflammation that occurs in certain rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, can damage the knee.

1. Rotator Cuff Tear
2. Acromioclavicular (AC) Degenerative Joint Disease / Tear AC Meniscus
3. Labral Tear
4. Instability
5. AC Sprain
6. Impingement Syndrome

Rotator Cuff Tear:  The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that allows specific movements of the shoulder.  Injury to the rotator cuff can cause weakness, pain and loss of motion.  Due to the fact that complete tears to the rotator cuff do not mend themselves, surgery may be indicated.  Rotator cuff repair is the closure of the tear which usually includes re-attachment of the rotator cuff back to its insertion on the humeral head.  Special arthroscopically inserted suture anchors facilitate the repair of the rotator cuff to the bone.

Acromioclavicular Degenerative Joint Disease / AC Meniscus Tear:  Arthritis or damage to the meniscus cartilage in the AC joint causes pain.  Pain mostly occurs with overhead motions and movements across the body.  Arthroscopic surgery  includes shaving a small portion off the distal clavicle to make room in the joint and to remove torn meniscus cartilage.

Labral Tear: Tear of the cartilage rim.  The shoulder is a ball and socket joint the glenohumeral joint.  The labrum is a cartilage rim that encircles the socket (glenoid) providing depth resulting in increased stability for the shoulder.  A Labral tear may result from a single injury or chronic overuse.  Repair of the torn labrum can be performed arthroscopically.  This allows many athletes a safe and predictable return to sports.

Instability:  Abnormal joint motion caused by trauma (dislocation/subluxation) or associated with generalized joint laxity.  When increased laxity around the shoulder causes symptoms or recurrent dislocations, surgery may be recommended, to tighten the ligaments around the shoulder.

Acromioclavicular Sprain (Shoulder separation): Separation of the clavicle (collarbone) relative to the scapula (shoulder blade). These separations are graded I – VI.  A small percentage of separations may require surgery to relocate the joint and repair the ligaments that have been torn during the injury.  A simple shaving of the clavicle tip may eliminate pain.

Impingement Syndrome / Shoulder Bursitis:  A painful process caused by inflammation of the rotator cuff and the bursa that lies above it. If anti-inflammatory medication, rest, therapeutic exercise and cortisone injections (possibly  have failed) to relieve symptoms, surgery may be recommended.  Arthroscopy increases the space available for the rotator cuff by shaving the acromion and removing inflamed bursa.

Unlike typical fractures, which involve bones snapping in two, stress fracture are microscopic cracks that are often too tiny to show up on a routine x-ray.  MRI or bone scans are often needed to make the diagnosis.