The term osteotomy refers to a surgical procedure to realign a particular bone. An example of this is the relatively common ‘high tibial osteotomy’, here the tibia bone is surgically divided and re-aligned to correcte a deformity  that is identified in the leg, usually it is fixed with surgical devices to hold it in place until the new bone grows into the divide.

An osteotomy is aimed at correcting the mechanics of the limb, and thereby improving function or reducing pain that may occur from abnormal limb alignment and joint wear. These are technically complex operations that require detailed pre operative clinical and radiologicaly assessment and planning, and Dr Ihsheish can discuss the relevant detailed with you.

Most osteotomies will require you to stay in hospital one night, and then the affected limb will need to be rested to some extent until it heals, this may take several weeks using crutches (for a leg) or a sling (for an arm). Dr Ihsheish will discuss with you the operation, including the expected recovery and associated risks.

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the operating surgeon to visually inspect the joint internally by the use of a small camera.

The surgeon makes small incisions in the skin near the joint (usually less that 1 cm) and inserts a small camera (the arthroscope) to view the joint. In the past the surgeon used to view the joint directly through a small eyepiece, but these days the arthroscope is a fibreoptic instrument that transmits the picture to a large screen in the operating theatre which can be viewed clearly and safely. Pictures or videos can be taken through this instrument and saved for later viewing or record keeping, and to allow the patient to also view the interior of their joint.

Dr Ihsheish can insert similarly small instruments through other incisions and perform many procedures without the need for large incisions.

Examples of what the surgeon can do include taking samples of fluid or tissues for examination, and removal of abnormal tissues and repair or reconstruction of ligaments or cartilage inside the joint.

The advantage of arthroscopy is that it can be performed through very small incisions in the skin, thus avoiding the need for a formal large incision. This should mean less pain and general discomfort, and cosmetically it means less scarring. Many arthroscopic procedures thus allow a more comfortable and faster recovery phase following surgical procedures.
Many joints can be approached arthroscopically these days, commonly these procedures can be done in such joints as the knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow etc.