Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside a joint. The doctor can then diagnose and potentially fix problems. An arthroscope is an endoscope (Read about "Endoscopy") or device with lights and a small camera lens at the end. It is inserted through a small incision in the skin. The camera magnifies the scene and displays it on a television screen. If repair work is needed, the doctor can use other small instruments and other small incisions to repair the damage.

An arthrocope can be used to see into nearly all joints. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says it is especially helpful in diagnosing and treating problems of the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip and wrist.

There are many diseases and conditions that can be diagnosed and/or treated using arthroscopy, including but not limited to:

• shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tears or frozen shoulder (Read about "The Shoulder")
• knee problems such as cartilage or ligament injuries (Read about "The Knee")
• wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome (Read about "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome")
• hip problems with mechanical symptoms - such as catching, locking, or buckling - along with cartilage issues (Read about "The Hip")
• ankle problems such as sprains or loose cartilage (Read about "Feet, Ankles & Legs")
• synovitis or inflammation in the lining of a joint (Read about "Synovitis")
• some types of tendinitis (Read about "Tendinitis & Bursitis")
• ligament damage caused by sprains (Read about "Sprains")

Arthroscopy can also be used to remove bone spurs, loose bone or loose cartilage in joints.

Arthroscopic surgery usually means less recovery time than conventional surgery, according to AAOS. Recovery time will depend on the amount of surgery required, the type of anesthesia used (Read about "Anesthesia") and the type of injury treated. There are some potential complications and you should discuss them with your surgeon prior to surgery.

Arthroscopy can be a boon for a person, allowing them to resume normal activities more quickly than standard surgery. It is important to remember however, that time must still be allowed for complete healing and rehabilitation (Read about "Rehabilitation") of the joint affected.