Arthroscopic Surgery

What is arthroscopy? Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopaedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint. A combination of two Greek words, the term literally means "to look within the joint." In an arthroscopic examination, an orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in the patient's skin and then inserts pencil-sized instruments that contain a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the structures inside the joint. Light is transmitted through fiber optics to the end of the arthroscope that is inserted into the joint. By attaching the arthroscope to a miniature television camera, the surgeon is able to see the interior of the joint through this very small incision rather than a large incision needed for surgery.

The television camera attached to the arthroscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look, for example, throughout the knee-at cartilage and ligaments, and under the kneecap. The surgeon can determine the amount or type of injury, and then repair or correct the problem, if it is necessary.

What are the benefits to arthroscopy? Recent advances in arthroscopic instrumentation have enabled orthopaedic surgeons to complete many shoulder repairs through smaller incisions than previously. Examples of procedures that can benefit from the use of this advanced instrumentation include rotator cuff repairs, labrum repair, and removal of bone spurs.

The smaller incisions of these minimally invasive techniques provide the advantages of reduced postoperative pain and the avoidance of muscle rupture or dysfunction associated with more extensive approaches.

In spite of the benefits of this technique, it is important to remember that repairs (tendon to bone) still heal at the same rate and will have to be protected. Additionally, not all tears are the same and may not be amenable to arthroscopic techniques.