Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-kuh-pee) is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.
Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without making a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions.
Arthroscopy is a very safe procedure and complications are uncommon. Problems may include:
Tissue or nerve damage. The placement and movement of the instruments within the joint can damage the joint's structures.
Infection. Any type of invasive surgery carries a risk of infection.
Blood clots.Rarely, procedures that last longer than an hour can increase the risk of blood clots developing in your legs or lungs.