About Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. Its method of examining the inside of a joint using an illuminating instrument such as a fiber optic endoscope. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. An arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon inspects a joint through a tiny camera. Arthroscopies can be helpful to diagnose joint conditions, or treat an already diagnosed problem. It is considered a minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgeries use only small incisions to gain access to the surgical site. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning that the patient will go home after the surgery and not have to stay in the hospital to recover. Arthroscopies are done by orthopedic surgeons and can be performed on many parts of the body, including the: Shoulder, Wrist, Elbow, Hip, Knee and Ankle. The most commonly performed arthroscopies are on the shoulder and knee.