When you have a joint condition, arthroscopy is an alternative to traditional open surgery. It allows a surgeon to see problems inside a joint. In the United States, about 1.77 million arthroscopic procedures are performed yearly.
The procedure uses an arthroscope — a small tube equipped with a small video camera and a light for viewing.
The view provided by the camera allows our team to see all of the soft tissues, including cartilage and ligaments. Then, we determine the type and extent of your injury and repair or correct it when needed.
During arthroscopy, you’ll receive general or local anesthesia. Some people receive spinal anesthesia. Our team makes a small incision in your skin, and the arthroscope is inserted. They make other small incisions to insert other surgical tools.
You’ll have dressings placed on the small puncture wounds created by the arthroscope and accompanying instruments. It takes several days or a few weeks for these to fully heal.
Complete healing from your procedure depends on the condition treated. You may require physical therapy to restore the full function of the joint.
Arthroscopy can repair tissue at the joints, including bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Usually, arthroscopy is ordered only after an extensive exam that includes imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs. We have these imaging tools onsite at Silicon Valley Orthopaedics.
Arthroscopy is a potential treatment for:
Arthroscopy can also treat inflammation in cases of synovitis of the shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, or ankle joint. Synovitis is a condition in which the lining of the joint is inflamed.
