Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive orthopaedic procedure that uses a small camera, known as an arthroscope, to directly examine and treat problems occurring inside a joint. Rather than opening the joint widely, small surgical instruments can be introduced through additional small openings around the joint to repair, remove, trim, or reconstruct damaged internal tissues under direct visual guidance. Arthroscopy may be performed for a range of selected conditions involving the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip, elbow, and wrist.
When it is recommended
Arthroscopy may be recommended for selected meniscus tears, ligament injuries, cartilage damage, troublesome loose bodies floating within the joint, recurrent shoulder instability, impingement‑related shoulder problems, and various other conditions affecting the internal structures of a joint. It is generally considered once symptoms continue to significantly affect you despite a genuine trial of appropriate non‑surgical management such as rest, physiotherapy, or medication.
About the procedure
During the procedure, the surgeon makes several small incisions around the affected joint and carefully inserts the arthroscope to clearly visualise the internal structures on a connected screen. Sterile fluid is introduced into the joint space throughout the procedure to improve visibility and create working room for the instruments. Specialised, purpose‑built surgical instruments are then used according to the specific problem identified during the examination. Knee arthroscopy, for example, may involve meniscus repair or targeted treatment, ACL reconstruction, various cartilage procedures, or the simple removal of loose fragments causing mechanical symptoms. Shoulder arthroscopy may be used more specifically for rotator cuff repair, labral repair, treatment of recurrent shoulder instability, and management of selected impingement‑related conditions. Similar minimally invasive techniques can be applied to other joints, including the hip, ankle, elbow, and wrist, whenever clinically appropriate for the presenting condition. The exact procedure performed always depends on your individual diagnosis and the actual condition of the joint as found at surgery. Although arthroscopy uses noticeably smaller incisions than traditional open surgery, the overall extent of treatment involved and the associated recovery requirements can still vary considerably according to the specific procedure performed. At Sports Medicine in Areekode, arthroscopic procedures are considered carefully based on your reported symptoms, clinical examination, imaging findings, current activity level, and personal functional goals, with the consistent objective of treating the relevant joint condition effectively through minimally invasive techniques while preserving or actively restoring healthy joint function wherever possible.
