Arthroscopic Surgery

Arthroscopy is a less invasive procedure that orthopaedic surgeons perform to diagnose and treat problems within a joint.

During an arthroscopic procedure, the physician makes a small incision in the skin and inserts a pencil-sized instrument (arthroscope) containing a small lens, which illuminates and magnifies the joint and surrounding tissue. The images are transmitted through the arthroscope onto a miniature television screen, allowing the physician to clearly see the joint. When performed in conjunction with corrective surgery, multiple small incisions may be made for specially designed instruments.

An outpatient procedure, arthroscopy was initially used as a diagnostic tool to assess the extent of damage prior to open surgery. Advancements in the technique and instrumentation now make it preferable in the treatment of many injuries and conditions – providing a more rapid recovery with smaller incisions and less invasive approach.

Arthroscopic surgery performed without additional corrective surgery and when just used as a diagnostic tool is an outpatient surgery, but still requires the use of anesthetics.

When diagnosing joint problems and disease, the doctor will start with medical examination, and might move onto magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan, before going through with arthroscopic surgery. The most common joints this surgery is performed on to diagnose are the shoulder, knee, hip, wrist, elbow, and ankle. Through performing arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon can determine what further procedures need to be taken to treat the problem.

The complication risk with arthroscopic surgery is significantly less than open surgery, occurring in less than 1 percent of all arthroscopic procedures.

Rehabilitation therapy is often indicated following surgery, to quickly restore range of motion and strength to the limb.