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What is nano – arthroscopy and how is it performed?

Nano-arthroscopy is a minimally invasive and diagnostic technique with multiple applications in complex joints. It is performed within the framework of classical arthroscopy with the main difference being that it can be applied to smaller joints.

Through a small hole – the size of a needle – we insert the nano-arthroscope which, with the help of a high-resolution (HD) camera with a flexible optical diameter of just 1.9 millimeters, with a field of view of 120°, provides us with the ability to make an immediate diagnosis of diseases and to proceed with rapid treatment and rehabilitation. At the same time, the small size of nano-tools drastically reduces the risk of damage that may be caused by the handling of traditional orthoscopic tools, while in combination with the very large field of view, it allows us to easily reach areas of the joints that were previously inaccessible.

Essentially, the nano-arthroscope is a much smaller tool (than the equivalent of arthroscopy) but with a larger range of motion and diameter of operation.

The advantages compared to traditional arthroscopy concern:

• The size of the hole and therefore the size of the tissue trauma around the joint cavity.
• In that it does not require general or spinal anesthesia. A single local one is enough.
• In that it is a powerful diagnostic tool even in the case of patients who cannot undergo MRI (either because they carry a pacemaker or magnetized materials in their body, or due to claustrophobia)
• In that it is a percutaneous technique that can be applied to diseases in large knee joints (meniscus) but also in smaller ones, such as the ankle, elbow and pesiocarpal, metatarsophalangeal, etc., in which we are unable to intervene with traditional arthroscopy.
• The operation is bloodless, the healing is immediate and the functional recovery is rapid, while there are no postoperative complications and no cases of complications have been recorded in the global literature.

The clinical team of OSTEON has the pioneering this tool (nano-arthroscope), while Orthopedic Surgeon and Doctor of the University of Athens Mr. Sakellariou has already successfully performed many operations with this technique at the Athens Medical Center.