arthroscopies

Arthroscopies are minimally invasive surgical procedures used to diagnose and treat conditions within joints. An arthroscope—a thin, tube-like instrument with a camera and light—is inserted through small skin incisions (portals). Saline is used to distend the joint for visualization, and images are displayed on a monitor. Additional small instruments are inserted through separate portals to perform therapeutic maneuvers.

These procedures are commonly performed on the knee and shoulder, and increasingly on the hip, ankle, elbow, and wrist. Indications include persistent joint pain, swelling, mechanical symptoms (such as catching or locking), and suspected cartilage or ligament injuries. Therapeutic options range from diagnostic assessment and loose-body removal to debridement, meniscal repair or shaving, cartilage restoration, synovectomy, and ligament reconstructions assisted by the arthroscope.

Most arthroscopies are done on an outpatient basis under general or regional anesthesia. Typical procedures last 30 to 90 minutes, and recovery involves rest, ice, compression, and progressive physical therapy. Benefits include reduced tissue damage and quicker recovery compared with open surgery, but not all conditions are amenable to arthroscopy. Risks include infection, bleeding, nerve or vessel injury, blood clots, and stiffness, though complications are uncommon when performed by trained surgeons. The field has evolved since the mid- to late 20th century with advances in optics and instrumentation, making arthroscopy a standard approach for joint care.