Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist

Thomas F. Saylor, M.D.

Board Certified Hand and Upper Extremity Orthopedic Surgeon & Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon located in North Palm Beach, FL

Minimally invasive surgery is among the most exciting innovations in medicine to occur in recent decades. These techniques require advanced training and are an area of specialty of Thomas F. Saylor, MD, of Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida. If you need an orthopedic procedure and would like to learn more about minimally invasive options, call the office today to book a visit, or spend a few moments on the online scheduling page.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Q & A

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical approach that uses a few small incisions to gain access to the surgical site. Procedures are carried out using incredibly thin surgical tools. 

Arthroscopic surgery uses a device called an arthroscope, which is a thin tube equipped with a tiny light and camera. The arthroscope projects real-time imaging onto an external screen, allowing Dr. Saylor to “see” the inside of your joints without having direct visual contact with those tissues. 

Endoscopy uses similar equipment and techniques to view the interior of a body cavity, tissues, or organs.  


What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

In decades past, surgery required a large incision to gain access to the surgical site and significant tissue displacement to allow the practitioner to see the tissues he or she was working on. Today, many types of surgeries are performed using incredibly small incisions and while viewing the targeted tissues on a screen. 

Minimally invasive surgery offers numerous benefits as compared to open surgery. Some of the advantages include:

  • Lower risk of bleeding 
  • Reduced risk of infection
  • Less internal and external scarring
  • Faster recovery time
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Lower risk of surgical complications


It should be noted that while minimally invasive surgery is a great option in many cases, there are procedures in which a traditional open surgical approach offers a better fit. 


What types of procedures can be performed using

minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery is a great option for correcting joint issues in the knee, neck, back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. Some of the procedures that can be performed using minimally invasive surgery include:

  • Rotator cuff repairs
  • SLAP lesion
  • Biceps tendon tears
  • Arthritis
  • Removal of loose bodies
  • Cyst removal
  • Tears in the meniscus, anterior or posterior cruciate
  • ligaments
  • Fracture repair 
  • Joint dislocation
  • Bone fusion
  • Removal of scar tissue
  • Ligament tightening 
  • Tendon reattachment
  • Nerve decompression/carpal tunnel release


This is far from a comprehensive list. Numerous joint issues can be addressed using minimally invasive surgery techniques. 

Learn more about your options during a personalized consultation. You can book a visit in moments online or over the phone, so don’t delay.