Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy has been performed in the Houston area since the late 1970s. During Dr. Clyburn's training, scopes that were viewed directly into the eyepiece were used. Today, the scopes are attached to a microchip video camera which is cabled to video monitors. These monitors are usually large in order to allow the surgeon and his assistants to see clearly. Originally, very few specialized tools were available, and little actual surgery could be performed through the arthroscope. However, there are many small tools and vices available today which allow surgeons to take care of many problems in the knee, shoulder, and hip. The arthroscope is also used in the toes, fingers, and wrists, and although Dr. Clyburn does not perform these other procedures, he would be happy to refer a patient to a surgeon who does.

Film 1 (above) shows an "Osteochondral fragment", a piece of bone and cartilage sometimes called a "joint mouse" which is loose in the knee. The shaver is used to smooth the rough surface of the femur and remove the fragment.

The second film (below) shows the "Oratec wand" which is a radiofrequency device used to smooth the surface of the cartilage after the shaver was used.