Arthroscopy, << ahr THROS kuh pee, >> is the technique of using an arthroscope to examine a joint of the body. An arthroscope is a straight, tubelike instrument with a series of lenses and optical-fiber bundles. It comes in sizes from 1/12 to 1/5 inch (2 to 5 millimeters) in diameter. It can be inserted into a joint through a small incision. A light transmitted by the optical fibers to the tip of the arthroscope illuminates the joint. Using an arthroscope, a doctor can thoroughly examine a joint and perform certain surgical operations.
Doctors use arthroscopy mainly on shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and knee joints. The problem most commonly treated by arthroscopy is torn cartilage in the knee. The doctor diagnoses this problem by looking into the knee joint through the arthroscope. Then the cartilage is removed with other instruments through a second incision.
The main advantage of arthroscopic surgery is that the operation can be performed through a small incision at the joint. As a result, a patient can sometimes have the surgery and leave the hospital the same day. Also, the patient experiences a minimum amount of discomfort, and healing time is much shorter than for other methods of surgery.
