Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint through a very small keyhole without making any surgical cut in the skin.
Compared to open surgery on a joint, arthroscopy reduces connective tissue damage, scarring, and recovery time, and has a high success rate.
Arthroscopy is an elective procedure.
Arthroscopy can be performed on any joint, but mostly it is done to diagnose and treat knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow, and wrist joint abnormalities.
Arthroscopy may be performed for the following conditions:
Conditions at which an arthroscopy cannot be performed are:
Investigations that are done before performing an arthroscopy are:
Before performing an arthroscopy:
Anesthesia: Arthroscopy can be done under local, regional, or general anesthesia depending upon the joint that is operated and the purpose of arthroscopy.
Duration: The duration of the procedure depends upon the purpose of arthroscopy.
Description of the procedure: The surgical site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. After administration of anesthesia, small incisions to the size of a buttonhole are made on the joint. A narrow tube with a fiber-optic video camera on its tip called an arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions. The arthroscope illuminates and displays the magnified view of the structures inside the joint. Any abnormalities inside the joint are identified. Pencil-sized surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions to grasp, cut, grind, and provide suction as needed for joint repair. At the end of the procedure, all instruments are slowly withdrawn. Incisions are closed with one or two stitches or adhesive tapes.
Postoperatively after an arthroscopy procedure:
Aftercare instructions for an arthroscopy:
Arthroscopy does not lead to major complications, but some of them are:
The overall prognosis of arthroscopy is excellent. The procedure is very effective in diagnosing and treating various joint problems with a high success rate, less scarring, and speedy recovery time.
Arthroscopy is a low-risk procedure and is performed on an outpatient basis either in a hospital or clinic. Same-day discharge is common; however, some patients may need to stay overnight. The length of stay largely depends on the type of operative procedure and recovery from anesthesia.