Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. It involves the use of a small camera, called an arthroscope, which is inserted into the joint through a small incision. This procedure allows orthopedic surgeons to view the joint on a screen and perform necessary treatments without making large incisions.
Arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-kuh-pee) is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.
Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without making a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions.
Arthroscopy was first developed in the early 20th century, with significant advancements occurring in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it is a widely used technique due to its effectiveness and reduced recovery time compared to open surgery.