AboutConditions TreatedWhat to ExpectFAQ
Find a specialist
arthroscopy patient enjoying time outside with her loved one after recovering

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that orthopedic surgeons use to diagnose and treat problems inside of a joint. Instead of making a large incision, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera called an arthroscope to see inside the joint, allowing them to find and treat issues more effectively, with less pain and faster recovery.

Arthroscopy can help with various joint problems, such as tears in ligaments, tendons or cartilage. The surgeon can repair damaged tissues, remove loose parts or clean out damaged cartilage to improve joint movement and reduce discomfort. Arthroscopy is commonly used to treat joints in the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, wrist and ankle.

Why would someone need an arthroscopy

Orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopy to diagnose, examine and treat different joint problems, most often in the:

Diagnosis

Arthroscopy can help doctors find the cause of symptoms like joint pain, stiffness, swelling or instability. By looking inside the joint with a small camera, doctors can check for damage to the cartilage, ligaments or other parts, allowing them to utilize innovative treatments to relieve your symptoms and improve joint movement. Although X-rays and MRI scans provide valuable diagnostic information, arthroscopy offers the most detailed examination of the joint, often identifying conditions that are not detected with other imaging tests.

Arthroscopy is a versatile procedure that can be used to examine and treat joints in various parts of the body, including the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and ankle. A small camera called an arthroscope is inserted through a tiny incision, giving doctors a clear view of the joint to check for any damage or problems.

Not only can arthroscopy help diagnose issues, arthroscopic procedures can also repair damaged tissues such as cartilage, ligaments or tendons. It's commonly used to treat injuries like torn cartilage or ligament problems. Since it’s minimally invasive, recovery tends to be quicker, with less scarring, compared to traditional surgery.

Treatment

Arthroscopy is a procedure that can treat a range of joint problems with less invasive surgery.

Some of the conditions it can help with include:

  • Rotator cuff tears: Damage to the shoulder tendons that can cause pain and weakness.
  • Impingement syndrome: When shoulder tendons get irritated or pinched, causing pain and limited movement.
  • Cartilage damage: Injury to the cartilage that cushions the joints, leading to discomfort and swelling.
  • Ligament tears: Damage to the ligaments that support your joints, causing discomfort and instability.
  • Tendon damage: Injury to the tendons that connect muscles to bones, resulting in discomfort or limited movement.
  • Loose bone or cartilage: Fragments of bone or cartilage floating in the joint, causing discomfort and restricting motion.

Arthroscopy allows doctors to treat these problems with smaller incisions, which usually means less pain and quicker recovery than traditional surgery.

How to prepare for arthroscopy surgery

Preparing for an arthroscopic procedure is simple. You can help the process go smoothly by following your orthopedic surgeon’s instructions before the procedure.

You should also take the following steps:

  • Educate yourself: Review the surgery guide or information packet provided by your orthopedic surgeon.
  • Find a driver: Arrange for someone to drive you home after the arthroscopy.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking can slow your recovery.
  • Take medications as directed: Follow your orthopedic surgeon’s directions about medication use in the hours and days before arthroscopy.
  • Watch what you eat and drink: Avoid eating or drinking after midnight on the day of your procedure unless your orthopedic surgeon says it’s okay.

The arthroscopy procedure

​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Each arthroscopic procedure may be a little different, but here's a general overview of what to expect:

Before the procedure

Before your arthroscopic procedure, be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Let them know about any allergies you have and share a list of all the medications and supplements you're taking. It's especially important to tell your provider if you're using blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs. You'll also need to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before the procedure to keep you safe during the procedure.

During the procedure

Arthroscopic procedures are usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you'll go home the same day. You'll be given general, local or spinal anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure, so make sure you have someone to drive you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.

The exact steps depend on the condition being treated, but most procedures take about an hour, though some may take longer.

During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon will:

  • Make two or three small incisions (about the size of a buttonhole) in the treatment area.
  • Insert a small camera (arthroscope) and other tiny tools through the incisions.
  • Use the camera to look at the joint, cartilage, ligaments and tendons on a monitor.
  • Use the images to diagnose or treat the problem.
  • Remove the camera and instruments.
  • Close the small incisions with stitches and cover them with a bandage.     

After the procedure

Your orthopedic surgeon will share the results of the procedure with you once the anesthesia wears off. You’ll go home later the same day.

At home, you’ll need to follow your orthopedic surgeon’s post-procedure instructions closely. You may need to wear a sling or brace or use crutches to keep from stressing the joint while it heals. Ice and elevate the joint to reduce swelling. Arthroscopic surgery usually doesn’t cause much pain, but you can take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, for discomfort if you need to.

What are the risks of an arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is one of the most common orthopedic procedures. It’s also quite safe, with complications occurring in fewer than 1% of procedures. Like any procedure, however, arthroscopy carries the risk of complications. Your orthopedic surgeon and the rest of the surgery team will take every precaution to minimize the chance of complications as much as possible.

Complications that can occur due to arthroscopy include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Bleeding or swelling
  • Breakage of surgical instruments
  • Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein deep in the body)
  • Infections
  • Nerve, tissue or blood vessel damage
  • Failure of repaired structures
  • Joint stiffness
women outside in her garden after recovering from arthroscopy procedure

Arthroscopy recovery

Make sure to talk to your doctor or medical team about when you can safely return to your normal activities. Usually, you can go back to work, school and other daily tasks a few days after the procedure. While the small incisions will heal in a few days, it may take weeks or even months for the joint to fully recover, depending on the injury and the type of surgery.

Everyone recovers at their own pace, so you may need more time to heal or do rehabilitation depending on your situation.

Your medical provider will go over the results of your surgery with you as soon as possible. They will also check on your progress at follow-up visits and help with any concerns.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can arthroscopy help arthritis?

    Arthroscopy may help with pain relief for mild to moderate arthritis, but it’s not the best option for advanced arthritis. For severe arthritis, joint replacement surgery is usually the recommended treatment for lasting relief.

  • Does arthroscopy hurt?

    Arthroscopy may cause some mild pain after the procedure, but it's usually manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medicine. The pain is usually felt around the surgical area or in the soft tissue nearby. Most people experience relief as they recover.

  • Does arthroscopy require general anesthesia?

    Arthroscopy can be done with general, local or spinal anesthesia. General anesthesia puts you to sleep, while local numbs the joint area, keeping you awake. Spinal anesthesia numbs the lower half of your body. Your anesthesiologist will discuss the best option based on your procedure and health.

  • How long after an arthroscopy can I drive?

    How soon you can drive after arthroscopy depends on the type of surgery and your recovery. For lower extremity surgery, check with your surgeon regarding driving restrictions. In general, you shouldn’t drive if you’ve been instructed to remain in a sling. After general anesthesia, wait at least 24 hours. Always check with your doctor before driving.

  • How long does an arthroscopic procedure take?

    The length of an arthroscopy depends on the type of procedure. Knee arthroscopy usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, shoulder arthroscopy 60 to 120 minutes, and hip arthroscopy typically lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. The time can vary based on the complexity of the issue being treated.