Danville Regional Health System welcomes Ada Cheung, MD, to its staff. She comes from Phoenix, Arizona, and is affiliated with Danville Orthopedic Clinic.

Arthroscopic surgery has been around for some time, but are people aware of its benefits?

Considering that they leave almost no scar, they have relatively little pain, and their recovery time is short, I think they do appreciate it. We use arthroscopy primarily to repair or remove torn cartilage and reconstruct ligaments. If you talk to someone who had any of this done before arthroscopy, I promise you'd appreciate the difference.

With arthroscopy so popular now, is it the only way to go?

Certainly we do it whenever possible, but sometimes the extent of an injury is such that it's not the best choice. From time to time we start an arthroscopic procedure, only to see once we begin that it's just not possible. We prepare patients for this possibility before hand. I tell them that surgery isn't like changing your brakes, you have to be flexible and creative to get the best results.

Arthroscopy is popular for treating sports injuries. Is there anything a weekend athlete can do to avoid them?

First, be realistic about yourself. If you haven't played a sport in 20 years, don't think you can pick up where you left off. Your body changes as you age, especially your bones and joints. And if you've put on some weight, realize the extra pressure that puts on your body, and take it easy. Of course, your total health will be improved if you can lose that additional weight.

How should someone choose an orthopedic surgeon?

Often, the patient is referred by their primary physician. So the more confidence you have in that person, the more confident you'll be about your surgeon. Ask around about the surgeon's reputation and the reputation of the practice. You can check credentials on the Internet, but it's hard to find out online if a surgeon has performed the specific procedure that you're about to undergo.