Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure by which the internal structure of a joint is examined for diagnosis and/or treatment using a tube-like viewing instrument called an arthroscope. The technique of arthroscopy involves inserting the arthroscope, a small tube that contains optical fibers and lenses, through tiny incisions in the skin into the joint to be examined. The arthroscope is connected to a video camera and the interior of the joint is seen on a television monitor. The size of the arthroscope varies with the size of the joint being examined. For example, the knee is examined with an arthroscope that is approximately 5 millimeters in diameter. There are arthroscopes as small as 0.5 millimeters in diameter to examine small joints such as the wrist. If procedures are performed in addition to examining the joint with the arthroscope, this is called arthroscopic surgery. There are a number of procedures that are done in this fashion. If a procedure can be done arthroscopically instead of by traditional surgical techniques, it usually causes less tissue trauma, results in less pain, and may promote a quicker recover

Common Arthroscopic Procedures

Many joint problems are amenable to arthroscopic surgery. As mentioned above, knee and shoulder conditions are far more often treated arthroscopically than are other joints; some common arthroscopic procedures include:

• Trimming a torn meniscus of the knee
• Repairing a torn meniscus of the knee
• Treatment of shoulder bursitis
• Repair of the rotator cuff in the shoulder
• Treatment of cartilage damage in the knee
• Treatment of labral tears in the shoulder Knee Arthroscopy
• Torn Cartilage (Meniscus)
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
• Patellar (Kneecap) Problems Shoulder Arthroscopy
• Shoulder Bursitis/Decompression
• Rotator Cuff Tear
• Frozen Shoulder

Arthroscopy at a Glance

• Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that can be performed for diagnosis and/or treatment of joint abnormalities
• Arthroscopy is most often an outpatient procedure or One day admission depending on patients condition
• Arthroscopy can be performed using general, spinal, regional, or local anesthetic.
• The surgical incisions required for arthroscopy are several, approximately ¼ inch, on either side of the knee joint Patients and their relatives are advised to discuss in detail with your doctor for more clarifications