Arthroscopy Surgery

It is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.

Why it's Done

Doctors use arthroscopy to help diagnose and treat a variety of joint conditions, most commonly those affecting the:

• Knee
• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Ankle
• Hip
• Wrist

Conditions Treated With Arthroscopy Include:

• Loose bone fragments
• Damaged or torn cartilage
• Inflamed joint linings
• Torn ligaments
• Scarring within joints

What Happens During Arthroscopic Surgery?

Each procedure will vary. But, generally. arthroscopic surgery follows this process. Initially, you will receive a general, local, or spinal anesthetic. A small incision is made in your skin. Your doctor will insert an arthroscope through the incision. Other incisions may be made to introduce another small grasping, probing, or cutting tool. Light is transmitted via fiber optics at the end of the arthroscope. This will transmit the information about the interior of the joint to a screen. If needed, corrective surgery may be done during the initial diagnostic procedure. Once the surgery is completed, dressings or bandages may be put on the incisions. The small puncture wounds created by the arthroscope and probing tools may take several days to weeks to heal.