Orthopedic and Joint Endoscopy

If you are experiencing chronic joint pain, stiffness or mobility issues, your health care provider may recommend an orthopedic endoscopy or arthroscopy (joint endoscopy). These procedures allow surgeons to diagnose and treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems.

At Banner Health, we’re committed to providing you with effective and efficient treatment options for conditions affecting your bones and joints. Whether you’re seeking relief from orthopedic injuries or joint-related issues, our experienced team is here to help.

What is orthopedic and joint endoscopy?

Endoscopic and arthroscopic (joint) surgery are minimally invasive surgeries used by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons to examine and treat various musculoskeletal conditions of the back, spine and joints in the hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, ankle or wrist. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.

During the surgical procedure, surgeons use a thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny camera at the end to allow them to view the inside of the body. Through other small cuts in the skin, surgeons can insert special tools to repair any damage, like torn ligaments and damaged cartilage. 

Joint and orthopedic endoscopy are used to treat many orthopedic conditions in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and spine. Advancements in technology enable the surgeon to perform traditional open surgeries through a minimally invasive technique.

The benefits of joint and orthopedic endoscopy

The use of endoscopy requires smaller incisions than open surgery and may lead to less infections and wound complications.

This type of minimally invasive surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day, which saves time and money.

Differences between orthopedic endoscopy and joint endoscopy 

Endoscopic and arthroscopic surgery are sometimes used interchangeably by the general public. While both orthopedic endoscopy and arthroscopy (joint endoscopy) are minimally invasive techniques used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, they serve different purposes and target different areas of the body.

Orthopedic endoscopy

Orthopedic endoscopy refers to the use of endoscopic techniques to diagnose and treat issues related to the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. Conditions treated with orthopedic endoscopy include:

• Back and spine conditions: Herniated discs, spinal stenosis and other spine problems
• Arm and leg conditions: Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and fractures in the arms and legs
• Soft tissue conditions: Injuries and diseases affecting muscles, ligaments and tendons throughout the body, such as tendon tears or ruptures and muscle injuries

Arthroscopy 

Joint endoscopy is specifically focused on diagnosing and treating joint-related issues. Conditions treated with arthroscopy include:

• Knee conditions: Torn meniscus, ACL or PCL injuries, cartilage damage and patellar tracking disorders
• Shoulder conditions: Rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, labral tears and frozen shoulder
• Hip conditions: Hip impingement, labral tears and cartilage damage
• Elbow conditions: Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and loose bone or cartilage fragments within the joint
• Hand, wrist and ankle conditions: Ligament injuries, cartilage damage, ganglion cysts and inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Learn more about arthroscopy for diagnosis and treatment of joint problems. 

Preparing for and recovering from joint and orthopedic endoscopy

Are you scheduled for an endoscopic procedure? Learn what to expect before, during and after the procedure. Understand how to prepare for your appointment, what will happen during the procedure and what to expect during your recovery. 

Expert care 

At Banner Health, we provide compassionate, expert care to support your health and well-being. Contact us today if you have questions about joint or orthopedic surgery or need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. Your journey to better joint health begins with Banner Health.