It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage of the interior of a joint is performed using an arthroscope, a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision(keyhole). The joint is observed by the surgeons in a monitor. This helps in a better diagnosis of the torn tissues like ligaments, cartilage etc.
The method is advantageous because of several reasons. The first and the foremost reason is that it can be diagnostic as well as therapeutic. There is no necessity for the complete surgical opening of a joint. Very little damage is done to the connective tissues. The recovery time is also very much decreased. For those individuals like sports persons where the recovery period is very important, the method is particularly useful.
The common joints where arthroscopy is done are the knees and shoulders. The other joints where it is also performed are hips, elbows and ankles. It is a day care procedure mostly and the patients can leave in a day.
