Arthroscopy

An arthroscopy is a type of procedure used to diagnose and treat some joint problems. It's often called 'keyhole surgery'.

When you have an arthroscopy, an instrument called an arthroscope is inserted through small cuts in your skin. An arthroscope is a small, fibre-optic video camera attached to a narrow tube. This allows the surgeon to see inside your joint.

An arthroscopy can be done to help diagnose a problem in a joint. An arthroscopy can be done on many parts of your body, including your:

• knee
• shoulder
• elbow
• ankle
• hip
• wrist

Is arthroscopy recommended for knee osteoarthritis?

In Australia, arthroscopy is not recommended for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. If you have knee osteoarthritis, talk with your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

An arthroscopy is often done as day surgery. This means you can go home the day of your surgery.

Depending on the joint involved and your health, you may have a:

• local anaesthetic — this numbs one area of your body
• general anaesthetic — this puts you to sleep during the procedure

Your surgeon will make a tiny cut near your joint and insert the arthroscope. The images from the arthroscope will be shown on a video monitor so your surgeon can see clearly inside your joint.

If surgical repair is needed, your surgeon may make a few more narrow cuts and insert surgical instruments.

Examples of surgical repairs that can be performed during an arthroscopy include:

• repairing a torn ligament
• removing damaged cartilage (smooth tissue that covers the ends of your bones)
• removing loose bodies (small pieces of bone and cartilage) from inside your joint

After surgery, your wounds will be stitched or closed with special tape.

Before an arthroscopy, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your joint. Your doctor may also recommend further tests, such as:

• an x-ray
• a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• a computed tomography (CT) scan
• a blood test

Recovery from arthroscopic surgery is usually faster than open surgery (surgery through a larger cut in the skin).

You may have some:

• pain
• swelling
• bruising
• stiffness

You can take pain-relief medicines to help ease pain and discomfort.

You might also be advised to:

• keep your limb elevated
• use ice packs to help reduce swelling
• wear a pressure stocking
• use crutches — a physiotherapist will show you how to move around with crutches
• do specific exercises to strengthen your muscles and help prevent joint stiffness

You might need to have a few days off before returning to work or school. Your doctor will talk with you about managing your wound dressings.

Make sure you have family or friends available to help you for a few days after an arthroscopy. If you do not have help available at home, talk with your doctor about support services available.

How long it takes to recover will depend on your condition and the procedure performed. Ask your doctor about what to expect in your situation.

All types of surgery have some risks. While most arthroscopies go smoothly, possible complications include:

• infection of the surgical site
• a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), usually in the leg
• an allergic reaction to the surgical equipment
• nerve damage
• ongoing pain
• scarring of your skin

Contact your doctor immediately if you have had an arthroscopy and experience:

• a fever (a temperature of 38℃ or higher)
• severe pain
• significant swelling around your wound
• numbness
• bad-smelling fluid leaking from the wound

Before agreeing to an arthroscopy, ask your doctor if there are other suitable treatment options, such as:

• weight loss
• pain-relief medicines
• exercise
• physiotherapy

Read more about preparing for surgery here.