What is Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a "keyhole" operation that is used to look inside and treat joints, especially the knee joint. It is performed through very small incisions in the skin, using a narrow telescope (arthroscope) attached to a video camera. Compared to open surgery, which involves a larger incision, keyhole surgery is less painful, carries less risk of infection, and enables people to recover more quickly.

The Operation

An arthroscopy is most often performed under a general anaesthetic as a day case. The operation can last from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on how much work the Surgeon needs to do inside the joint.

Having a general anaesthetic means that the person is asleep and feels no pain throughout the procedure.

Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, a small incision (around 5mm long) is made in the skin around the joint that is being treated. Sterile fluid is pumped inside to help produce a clearer picture of the inside of the joint. Another small incision is made for the arthroscope, which is about the thickness of a ballpoint pen.

The Surgeon will then view and probe the joint, looking directly through the scope or at pictures it sends to a video monitor. If necessary, other instruments can be inserted to repair damage or remove material that interferes with movement or causes pain.

The fluid is drained out of the joint at the end of the procedure. The incisions are closed with stitches.