Arthoscopy

Dr. Wells has retired from performing surgery. He has a referral network of surgical specialists who have extensive training and experience with arthroscopy, and arthroscopically assisted surgery of the knee, shoulder and ankle.

Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy entails looking into the knee through two small holes below the kneecap.  This procedure can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.  It can be done as an outpatient, either during the hospital setting or in a freestanding surgical center.  Common procedures performed on the knee include removing and repairing a torn cartilage (meniscus), shaving and/or smoothing rough surfaces of arthritis, removing debris (loose pieces of floating bone or cartilage); removal of overgrown abnormal tissues (synovium, plica, scar tissue, and adhesions).  Grafting or implanting bone plugs into bony surface defects of the knee joint and reconstruction of the stabilizing anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of the knee can also be performed with the arthroscope.

Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy requires general anesthesia, but it can be preformed in a hospital or surgical center setting.  Most of the procedures are done through three holes, one in the back of the shoulder, one on the side of the shoulder, and one in the front of the shoulder. Some of the proceedures that can be performed include removal of loose floating bodies of bone, cartilage, and scar tissue as well as  shaving and smoothening of rough surfaces. Also, partial and complete tears of the rotator cuff, tears of the biceps tendon and tears of the labrum can be repaired.

Repairs of the rotator cuff can be performed through the arthroscope and at times will require a mini incision depending on the size and location of the tear. Removal of excess bone spurs on the under surface of the acromion (shoulder bone) and at the end of the collarbone which cause impingement and wearing of the rotator cuff can routinely be done through the arthroscope. A dislocated or loose shoulder joint can be stabilized by tightening and repairing the soft tissue capsule and muscles around the shoulder socket through the arthroscope, with just a few small holes in the shoulder.

Ankle Arthroscopy
This can be very useful for removing loose bodies of bone or cartilage as well as smoothening down the rough articular surface of the ankle joint.  Bone grafting has limited application in this joint.