Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows surgeons to view, diagnose, and treat issues inside of joints. A small, narrow instrument (arthroscope) is inserted through a tiny, buttonhole-sized incision in the skin. The arthroscope includes a light and fiber-optic video camera which transmits video from inside the joint onto a screen that the surgeon looks at to view and diagnose the problem. This video can also aid arthroscopic surgery which is performed with tiny surgical instruments inserted through other tiny portals.
An arthroscopic procedure is performed in a hospital or surgery center where the patient has received general or regional anesthesia. It is less invasive than open surgery, which involves larger incisions into skin and tissue, and typically results in less joint pain and scarring. Arthroscopy lowers the risk of infections and excessive bleeding and allows for shorter hospital stays and recovery times.
Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat certain types of foot and ankle issues including fractures, joint infection, arthritis, bone spurs, torn cartilage and ligaments, ankle fusions, and more.
