What Is Arthroscopy & When Do We Need It?

Dr.Bharat Bahre, 3 mins read

If you have ever had joint pain that refuses to go away, you know how much it can disturb your daily life. You feel difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, lifting things, or even sleeping. When medicines, rest, or physical therapy do not help, doctors may suggest a modern, minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy. It is safe and quick procedure and helps diagnose and treat joint problems without the need for large cuts or long hospital stays.

What Is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a medical procedure used to look inside a joint and treat problems through very small incisions. Instead of open surgery, doctors use a special tool called an arthroscope, which is a thin tube with a camera and light at the end. This camera sends live images to a screen, helping doctors see exactly what is happening inside your joint.

As the cuts are very small, arthroscopy is often called keyhole surgery. It is commonly done on joints like knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow, and wrist. The procedure enables the doctors to both diagnose and fix the problem in the same session.

How Does Arthroscopy Work?

The procedure is usually done in a hospital or surgical center in the following ways:

1. Anesthesia is given, either general or local, depending on the joint and the patient’s condition.
2. The doctor makes tiny cuts near the joint.
3. The arthroscope is inserted to view the inside clearly.
4. If treatment is needed, the doctor will use small surgical tools through the other openings.
5. After the treatment, the small cuts are stitched or covered with bandages.
   

Most people go home the same day, and recovery is much faster compared to traditional open surgery.

When it is Indicated?

A doctor may suggest arthroscopy to a person when:

1. Pain Does Not Improve: If you have long-term joint pain and medicines, physiotherapy, or injections have not helped, arthroscopy can help find the cause.
2. To Diagnose Unclear Problems: Sometimes X-rays or MRI scans do not give a clear picture. Arthroscopy allows doctors to see the joint directly, making diagnosis accurate.
3. For Sports Injuries: Common sports-related problems treated with arthroscopy are ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff tears and labrum injuries. These all can be repaired using minimally invasive techniques.
4. Removal of Loose Bodies: Sometimes small pieces of bone or cartilage break inside the joint. These cause pain, locking, or difficulty moving. Arthroscopy safely removes them.
5. Treating Inflammation: If synovial tissue is swollen or inflamed, the doctor may remove the damaged tissue through arthroscopy.
6. Repairing Cartilage or Ligaments: Arthroscopy can help repair or smooth damaged cartilage and reconstruct ligaments with much less downtime.

Advantages of Arthroscopy

• Smaller cuts and less pain
• Faster recovery compared to open surgery
• Very low risk of infection
• Minimal scarring
• Same-day discharge in most cases
• Quicker return to normal activities

Conclusion

Arthroscopy is a modern, safe, and effective method for diagnosing and treating joint problems. Whether you have long-term knee or shoulder pain, a sports injury, or unexplained joint discomfort, this minimally invasive technique can offer quick relief and a faster return to your daily activities. If joint pain is affecting your lifestyle, you can visit our expert orthopaedicians at Aakash Healthcare for the best treatment options and guidance.