Arthroscopy:

Arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-skuh-pee) is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. During arthroscopy, a surgeon inserts a narrow tube containing a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a video monitor.

Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without having to make a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions.

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:

Bone spurs or loose bone fragments
Damaged or torn cartilage
Inflamed joint linings
Joint infections
Torn ligaments and tendons
Scarring or tissue overgrowth within joints

Your surgeon will review the findings of the arthroscopy with you as soon as possible. You may also receive a written report, as may your primary physician.

After arthroscopic surgery to treat a joint injury or disease, healing may take several weeks. Your surgeon will monitor your progress in follow-up visits and address any problems that arise.
Article by
Fortis Healthcare