What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique used to examine and treat problems inside a joint. It is often called keyhole surgery because the surgeon works through very small cuts instead of making one large incision. A thin camera called an arthroscope is inserted into the joint and sends a magnified image to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and other structures.

Small surgical instruments can then be inserted through additional tiny cuts to repair or remove damaged tissue. Arthroscopy is commonly used in the knee and shoulder, but it can also be performed in joints such as the ankle, hip, wrist, or elbow in selected cases.

The exact procedure depends on the diagnosis. Arthroscopy may be used for ligament injuries, meniscus tears, some cartilage problems, shoulder instability, tendon injuries, or loose fragments inside a joint. Because it is minimally invasive, many procedures can be done as day-care surgery, although recovery still depends on what is repaired.

Although the cuts are small, arthroscopy should not be confused with a minor procedure in every case. The recovery depends on what is done inside the joint. A simple inspection is very different from an ACL reconstruction or rotator cuff repair. Patients should therefore ask about the exact procedure, any tissue being repaired, and the rehabilitation restrictions that will follow.