What is Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure to diagnose and treat orthopaedic problems. A surgeon makes small incisions, typically about ¼” long, and inserts an arthroscope. An arthroscope is a small tube full of optical fibers and lenses that is connected to a video camera, allowing the surgeon to see a magnified view of the interior of the joint. Small instruments are inserted into the incisions to repair tissue, and the incisions are closed with sutures.
What are the benefits of arthroscopic surgery?
When compared with open surgery, arthroscopy has many benefits:
- Lower risk of complications and infections, as there are tiny incisions rather than large cuts
- Less post-operative pain, as muscles and tendons do not have to be cut in order to perform joint repairs
- Faster procedures, as there are fewer cuts
- Less scarring, as the cuts are small
- Faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays
