What Is Arthroscopy?

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.

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)
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Problems with the patella (kneecap)

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• Patellar tendon rupture of the knee
• Cartilage damage
• Shoulder rotator cuff tears
• Frozen shoulder
• Recurrent shoulder dislocation

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• Hip labral tears
• Hip dysplasia (an abnormality of the hip joint in which the socket portion does not fully cover the ball portion)
• Femoroacetabular impingement, a bony overgrowth in the hip
• Snapping hip syndrome, which causes tendon damage from repeated rubbing across the outside of the hip joint

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• Sciatic nerve compression
• Ankle sprains
• Ankle bone spurs (abnormal bony growths)

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• Impingement (pinching) of the shoulder, hip, or ankle
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Loose bodies (small bits of bone or cartilage) in the joint
• Chronic wrist pain

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• Wrist ligament tears
• Wrist fractures
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ganglion cysts (lumps that develop in the wrist)

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• Arthritis
• 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

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• Temporomandibular disorder, a condition affecting the jaw joint and muscles

• Fewer complications
• Shorter (or no) hospital stay
• Lower cost
• Quicker recovery

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.

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• 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.

• 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

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Bleeding and bruising
• 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

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• 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

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

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• Increasing joint pain
• Severe swelling
• Discharge (fluid, pus, or blood) at the incision site
• High fever
• Nausea or vomiting

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• Numbness or tingling in the affected extremity

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• 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.