Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows your healthcare provider to look inside your joints using a small camera called an arthroscope. It’s used for both diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the joints, such as torn meniscus, shoulder impingement, and ankle sprains. Unlike open surgery, which requires a large incision, arthroscopy involves smaller incisions, resulting in less tissue damage and a quicker recovery.
There are various types of arthroscopy that differ by the joints it’s used to investigate and treat. Healthcare providers can use an arthroscope to view inside nearly all of the joints in the body, but they most often use it for just six joints, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. These joints are the:
Knee
Shoulder
Elbow
Ankle
Hip
Wrist
Your doctor might recommend arthroscopy if you’re experiencing issues affecting your joints, tendons, or ligaments, such as pain and stiffness, inflammation or swelling, and joints popping out of normal position.
In terms of diagnosing joint issues, arthroscopy typically follows other diagnostic procedures, including X-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Arthroscopy is also used to treat a wide range of problems or conditions affecting your joints, tendons, or ligaments, including:
Torn meniscus (tear in the cushioning pads of cartilage in the knee)
Synovitis, inflammation of the lining of the joint
Arthrofibrosis, excess scar tissue in the knee (caused by previous injuries)
Septic arthritis, or joint infection (along with medical and antibiotic management)
Baker’s cyst, a buildup of synovial fluid inside the joint that causes joint stiffness and swelling
Temporomandibular disorder, a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles
Compared with open surgery for joints, arthroscopy is associated with:
Fewer complications
Shorter (or no) hospital stay
Lower cost
Quicker recovery
Arthroscopy is performed using an instrument called an arthroscope, which contains a small telescopic video camera and fiber optic lighting system to magnify and light up the inside of a joint. Knee arthroscopes are the width of a pencil, while those used for smaller joints, like the ankle and wrist, are thinner. Surgeons can view live video from the arthroscope on a computer screen.
The procedure varies depending on the type of arthroscopy the surgeon is performing. Generally, arthroscopy involves several steps, including:
While on an operating table, you will receive local, regional, or general anesthesia.
Your medical team will position your body to give them the best access to your joint, such as bending your knee, and then clean the joint area with antiseptic solution.
Your surgeon will make a buttonhole-size incision and insert the arthroscope. They may make additional incisions to insert an irrigation device and surgical instruments.
You will receive corrective surgery, if necessary.
You will receive stitches or adhesive strips to close the incisions and sterile bandages or dressings.
Preparation for arthroscopy is straightforward but important. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and medications — make sure to let them know about any blood thinners or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as any supplements (including herbal compounds), you are taking — and give you specific instructions based on your health and the joint being treated. This will include:
Which medications you should start or stop leading up to the day of the surgery
What and when you are allowed to eat or drink before your surgery
Whether you’ll need to do rehabilitation exercises after your surgery
If your arthroscopy requires sedation or general anesthesia, you will need to arrange for someone to pick you up after your surgery, as you will not be allowed to drive.
Also make sure to stop smoking as soon as possible before the surgery. People who smoke have poorer outcomes following orthopedic surgeries.
You will not feel any pain during your arthroscopy due to anesthetic drugs. You may also be asleep or completely unconscious and not remember anything from the procedure. The procedure will likely last 30 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the specific surgery you require.
Afterward, you’ll spend some time in recovery and may meet with a physical therapist to discuss at-home exercises to do. If necessary, you may receive a sling, splint, or crutch. You will likely be able to go home the same day.
Arthroscopy is generally safe, but as with any surgical procedure, there are risks. These include:
Anesthesia reactions, such as an allergic reaction to the medications
Damage to nearby tissues, including ligaments and cartilage
Nerve damage
Recovery care is a crucial part of the healing process. You may be instructed to:
Rest and elevate the joint, especially in the first few days
Limit your activity and use of the joint for 24 to 48 hours after a diagnostic arthroscopy, and longer if other procedures were done
Use ice therapy to reduce swelling and pain
Take over-the-counter or prescription pain medications
Keep your incisions clean and dry
Undergo physical therapy to restore strength and mobility, and carry out any recommended joint exercises
Serious complications from arthroscopy are relatively rare, occurring in less than 1 in 100 operations.
They can include:
Deep vein thrombosis, a serious blood clot that can cause pain and swelling in the limbs
Septic arthritis, a joint infection that can cause high fever, pain, and swelling
Temporary or permanent numbness and loss of sensation from damage to the nerves near the operated joint
Scarring
Tendon tearing
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
Increasing joint pain
Severe swelling
Discharge (fluid, pus, or blood) at the incision site
High fever
Nausea or vomiting
Numbness or tingling in the affected extremity
You may need to take a week or two off from work when you undergo an arthroscopy procedure. However, it’s not uncommon for people to return to work or school activities within days after surgery.
Your recovery time from arthroscopy varies depending on the surgery. These are general estimates:
Knee: one to four weeks
Shoulder: four to six weeks to several months
Hip: weeks to months
Ankle: at least four to six weeks
Make sure to get plenty of rest as you recover and attend any follow-up appointments scheduled with your provider.
Arthroscopy offers a minimally invasive, highly effective way to diagnose and treat a range of joint problems.
It has a solid track record of success and a generally smooth recovery, especially compared with open joint surgery.
Arthroscopy risks are minimal and complications are rare.
Preparing well, understanding the process, and following post-op care instructions will give you the best chance at a full, healthy, and speedy return to activity.
