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Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that orthopedic surgeons use to diagnose and treat problems inside of a joint. Instead of making a large incision, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera called an arthroscope to see inside the joint, allowing them to find and treat issues more effectively, with less pain and faster recovery.
Arthroscopy can help with various joint problems, such as tears in ligaments, tendons or cartilage. The surgeon can repair damaged tissues, remove loose parts or clean out damaged cartilage to improve joint movement and reduce discomfort. Arthroscopy is commonly used to treat joints in the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, wrist and ankle.
Orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopy to diagnose, examine and treat different joint problems, most often in the:
Arthroscopy can help doctors find the cause of symptoms like joint pain, stiffness, swelling or instability. By looking inside the joint with a small camera, doctors can check for damage to the cartilage, ligaments or other parts, allowing them to utilize innovative treatments to relieve your symptoms and improve joint movement. Although X-rays and MRI scans provide valuable diagnostic information, arthroscopy offers the most detailed examination of the joint, often identifying conditions that are not detected with other imaging tests.
Arthroscopy is a versatile procedure that can be used to examine and treat joints in various parts of the body, including the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and ankle. A small camera called an arthroscope is inserted through a tiny incision, giving doctors a clear view of the joint to check for any damage or problems.
Not only can arthroscopy help diagnose issues, arthroscopic procedures can also repair damaged tissues such as cartilage, ligaments or tendons. It's commonly used to treat injuries like torn cartilage or ligament problems. Since it’s minimally invasive, recovery tends to be quicker, with less scarring, compared to traditional surgery.
Arthroscopy is a procedure that can treat a range of joint problems with less invasive surgery.
Some of the conditions it can help with include:
Arthroscopy allows doctors to treat these problems with smaller incisions, which usually means less pain and quicker recovery than traditional surgery.
Preparing for an arthroscopic procedure is simple. You can help the process go smoothly by following your orthopedic surgeon’s instructions before the procedure.
Each arthroscopic procedure may be a little different, but here's a general overview of what to expect:
Before your arthroscopic procedure, be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Let them know about any allergies you have and share a list of all the medications and supplements you're taking. It's especially important to tell your provider if you're using blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs. You'll also need to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before the procedure to keep you safe during the procedure.
Arthroscopic procedures are usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll go home the same day. You'll be given general, local or spinal anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure, so make sure you have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
The exact steps depend on the condition being treated, but most procedures take about an hour, though some may take longer.
During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will:
Your orthopedic surgeon will share the results of the procedure with you once the anesthesia wears off. You’ll go home later the same day.
At home, you’ll need to follow your orthopedic surgeon’s post-procedure instructions closely. You may need to wear a sling or brace or use crutches to keep from stressing the joint while it heals. Ice and elevate the joint to reduce swelling. Arthroscopic surgery usually doesn’t cause much pain, but you can take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, for discomfort if you need to.
Arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. It’s also quite safe, with complications occurring in fewer than 1% of procedures. Like any procedure, however, arthroscopy carries the risk of complications. Your orthopedic surgeon and the rest of the surgery team will take every precaution to minimize the chance of complications as much as possible.
Complications that can occur due to arthroscopy include:
Make sure to talk to your doctor or medical team about when you can safely return to your normal activities. Usually, you can go back to work, school and other daily tasks a few days after the procedure. While the small incisions will heal in a few days, it may take weeks or even months for the joint to fully recover, depending on the injury and the type of surgery.
Everyone recovers at their own pace, so you may need more time to heal or do rehabilitation depending on your situation.
Your medical provider will go over the results of your surgery with you as soon as possible. They will also check on your progress at follow-up visits and help with any concerns.
