What Is It? Arthroscopic surgery refers to procedures in which
surgeons operate on joints through small incisions. This is in
contrast to the single large incision used in traditional open
surgery. Using an arthroscope, surgeons can illuminate and
magnify the internal structure of joints. An arthroscope is a
thin, tubular instrument. It contains a light source and
specialized lenses. Arthroscopic surgery uses small incisions.
So recovery is usually less painful than traditional surgery. In
addition, arthroscopic surgery: Most arthroscopic procedures are
done on the knee joint. Others involve the shoulder.
Arthroscopic surgery can also be done on the ankle, elbow, wrist
and hip. But these procedures are much less frequent. And
success is less certain. What It's Used For You doctor may
recommend arthroscopic surgery for one or more of the following:
To remove inflamed joint lining (synovium) To reattach a bone
fragment that has broken off the end of a bone and is in a joint
To transplant cartilage (usually limi