Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used for both diagnosing and treating joint problems. It involves inserting an arthroscope, which is a small camera attached to a fiber-optic lens, into the joint through tiny incisions. This allows surgeons to view the interior of the joint on a video monitor and perform necessary repairs without the need for large incisions, thereby reducing recovery time and pain compared to traditional open surgery.


Types of Arthroscopy:

  1. Knee Arthroscopy:

    • Commonly used to treat issues like torn meniscus, damaged cartilage, or ligaments. Procedures can include meniscectomy, meniscus repair, ligament reconstruction (like ACL reconstruction), and removal of loose bodies or debris within the joint.

  2. Shoulder Arthroscopy:

    • Employed for conditions such as rotator cuff tears, impingement syndrome, instability, and labral tears. Procedures might include rotator cuff repair, subacromial decompression, or labral repair.

  3. Hip Arthroscopy:

    • Used for diagnosing and treating conditions like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral tears, loose bodies, and early osteoarthritis. It's less common due to the complexity of hip joint access.

  4. Ankle Arthroscopy:

    • Addresses problems like ankle sprains, fractures, arthritis, and impingement. Procedures can include synovectomy, removal of bone spurs, or repair of cartilage.

  5. Elbow, Wrist, and Other Joints:

    • Arthroscopy can also be applied to other joints like the elbow, wrist, and even smaller joints like those in the foot or temporomandibular joint, for conditions ranging from arthritis to sports injuries.


Reasons for Arthroscopy:

  • Diagnosis: When less invasive diagnostic methods like MRI or X-rays are inconclusive, arthroscopy can provide a direct visualization of joint interiors to pinpoint the exact nature of the problem.

  • Treatment:

    • Meniscus Tears: Repair or removal of torn meniscus tissue in the knee.

    • Ligament Reconstruction: Like ACL or PCL repairs in the knee.

    • Cartilage Damage: Addressing defects in cartilage through debridement or microfracture surgery.

    • Removing Loose Bodies: Clearing out loose pieces of bone or cartilage that might cause pain or locking of the joint.

    • Joint Inflammation: Treating conditions like synovitis by removing inflamed synovial tissue.

    • Arthritis: Although results can be variable, some forms of arthritis, especially in early stages, might be treated by cleaning out loose fragments or smoothing damaged cartilage.

  • Pain Relief: When pain is caused by mechanical issues within the joint, arthroscopy can alleviate this by correcting the problem, although for osteoarthritis, long-term benefits are debated.


Arthroscopy's benefits include faster recovery, less scarring, and reduced risk compared to traditional surgery, making it a preferred method for many joint-related issues when indicated. However, not all joint problems benefit from this approach, and the effectiveness can vary based on the specific condition and the patient's overall health status.