Overview
Arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-kuh-pee) 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.
Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without making a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions.
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
■ Diagnostic procedures
Doctors often turn to arthroscopy if X-rays and other imaging studies have left some diagnostic questions unanswered.
■ Surgical procedures
Conditions treated with arthroscopy include:
- Loose bone fragments
- Damaged or torn cartilage
- Inflamed joint linings
- Torn ligaments
- Scarring within joints
Risks
Arthroscopy is a very safe procedure and complications are uncommon. Problems may include:
- Tissue or nerve damage.The placement and movement of the instruments within the joint can damage the joint’s structures.
- Any type of invasive surgery carries a risk of infection.
- Blood clots. Rarely, procedures that last longer than an hour can increase the risk of blood clots developing in your legs or lungs.