What is an Arthroscope

An arthroscope is a small flexible tool with a camera attached to the end that can be inserted through a small incision so the surgeon can see inside and around the knee. Using an arthroscope, your surgeon will be able to look on a screen at the joint and surgical instruments so that the procedure can be conducted without any large incisions. When Procedure is Used While doctors might use knee arthroscopy to perform an examination in and around the joint, they can also arthroscopy to remove damaged cartilage, bone fragments, and inflamed tissue and to repair torn ligaments. If you have a torn meniscus and have already tried conservative treatments such as rest, ice, and physical therapy without experiencing a reduction in pain, you may benefit from having your knee repaired arthroscopically.

During Surgery

You will either receive local anesthesia and a mild sedative for this procedure, or you may be given a general anesthesia to relax your muscles, prevent pain, and help you fall asleep. The doctor will then make a small incision to insert a fiber optic camera into your knee so that images from the camera can appear on a screen. These images will help your surgeon diagnose problems such as a torn meniscus. Additional small incisions will then be made so that your surgeon can remove damaged tissue and repair parts of the joint.

Risks

The risk of complications is very low, however, potential risks might include:

• allergic reactions to medications
• further injury to part of the knee
• bleeding or blood clots
• infection

Benefits

• injury diagnosis
• elimination of or decrease in pain
• improvement in knee function
• increase in strength