Arthroscopy Specialist

James J. Reid, MD Our Services Arthroscopy
James J. Reid, MD - - Orthopedic Surgeon

James J. Reid, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon located in Culver City, Los Angeles, CA

Minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures can allow for accurate diagnosis, repairs and quicker recovery time for joint pain and injuries. Orthopedic surgeon James J. Reid, MD, in Los Angeles, California, uses cutting-edge arthroscopic techniques to diagnose, treat and repair intra-articular joint injuries. Arthroscopic techniques use small incisions, so you feel less pain and recover faster. To find out more about arthroscopic surgery or discuss your joint pain, call Dr. Reid’s Culver City office today or book an appointment online.

Arthroscopy Q&A

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive way of looking inside your joint. An arthroscope is a surgical instrument fitted with a tiny camera. The arthroscope also has a magnifying lens and a light source to give Dr. Reid a clear view of your joint. Using an arthroscopic approach Dr. Reid is able to quickly and accurately use the video guidance to diagnose and repair tissue, tendons, and bone damage/disease.

The arthroscope’s camera sends live video of the inside of your joint to a monitor that Dr. Reid views during the procedure. The clear pictures provided by the arthroscope enable him to find what’s causing your pain and other symptoms.

Arthroscopy offers an alternative to open surgery, which involves making large incisions through your soft tissues to access the joint.

What are the advantages of arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy has considerable advantages over open surgery. These include:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less pain
  • Fewer complications
  • Less tissue damage
  • Minimal scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Lower infection risk after surgery

Dr. Reid often does arthroscopy on an outpatient basis, so you don’t have to stay in the hospital overnight.

When would arthroscopy be used?

Dr. Reid might use arthroscopy if other diagnostic methods aren’t giving him enough information.

After a consultation and physical exam, Dr. Reid often confirms a diagnosis using an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. He can also rule out other causes of your symptoms and assess the extent of your joint condition.

If it’s not clear what’s causing your joint pain after viewing the results of these procedures, Dr. Reid might need to use arthroscopy. He might also be able to repair the damage with arthroscopic surgical instruments.

Arthroscopic techniques are a common practice for many orthopedic surgeries.

What repairs are done during arthroscopy?

Dr. Reid can do a variety of repairs during arthroscopic surgery. He can take out loose bone fragments and cartilage from the joint. He can also debride (trim) torn or damaged tissue/cartilage. 

During any arthroscopic procedure, Dr. Reid is equipped and prepares his surgical team for all possible repairs of any torn tendons or ligaments that he may find. Major issues like labral tears or rotator cuff tears in your shoulder are repaired using either suture or anchors. Dr. Reid often treats more complex repairs and reconstructs ruptured tendons and ligaments. 

Call James J. Reid, MD, today and schedule a consultation or book an appointment online to find out more about arthroscopy.

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