Arthroscopy

Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury or chronic joint pain, arthroscopy could offer a solution. This minimally invasive procedure allows surgeons to diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the joints.

Learn more about this surgical procedure and what to expect before, during and after. 

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat joint problems. It uses only small cuts (incisions) compared to open surgery which uses a larger incision.

Arthroscopy is performed by orthopedic surgeons. They use a thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny camera at the end called an arthroscope to see inside your joints and surrounding tissues.

Arthroscopy can be used to perform surgery to treat issues such as torn ligaments, damaged cartilage or inflamed tissue. It can also be used to remove objects from a joint or monitor a disease.

Why may I need arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is recommended for individuals experiencing chronic (ongoing) joint pain, swelling, stiffness or limited mobility that hasn’t responded to other nonsurgical treatments like rest, medication, braces or physical therapy. 

It is often used to treat conditions in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle joints. Common conditions treated with arthroscopy include:

• Cartilage damage, such as tears, injury or wear-and-tear
• Chondromalacia (wearing or injury of cartilage)
• Ganglion cysts
• Hand and wrist injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Labral tears in the hip and shoulder
• Loose bone or cartilage
• Rotator cuff tears
• Recurring dislocations 
• Scarring within joints
• ACL and PCL tears 
• Meniscus tears

Who should get arthroscopy?

Most individuals with joint problems can benefit from arthroscopy. However, it may not be a good fit for everyone.

Your health care provider will consider factors like your overall health, the severity of the condition and previous treatments before recommending arthroscopy. Generally, you may not be an ideal candidate if you have severe arthritis or certain medical conditions.

Possible complications of arthroscopy

Like any surgical procedure, arthroscopy carries some risks, although they are relatively rare. These risks include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots in your legs or lungs
• Nerve or blood vessel damage
• Stiffness or weakness of the joint

If you have any worries or questions about getting arthroscopy, it's important to talk to your provider. They’ll help you understand everything and keep you safe during the procedure.

How to prepare for arthroscopic surgery

Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to prepare, but here are a few steps to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Sign a consent form: You may be asked to sign a form giving your provider permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask your provider if anything is unclear.
• Adjust medications: Your provider may ask you to adjust or temporarily stop your medications and/or dosage, especially blood thinners, to reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure. If you have ongoing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, your provider will give you specific instructions about your medications.
• Tests: To ensure good health for the procedure, you may need to undergo blood tests, urine tests or imaging scans.
• Make arrangements: Arthroscopic surgery is done in an operating room under general anesthesia. In that case, you will be instructed when to stop eating and drinking. You will also need to have someone take you home afterward.

Depending on which joint the surgery is performed on, your provider will also discuss the use of crutches, slings or splints after the procedure.

Let your provider know if you have allergies or reactions to medications, latex or tape and if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. 

What to expect during arthroscopy

How arthroscopic surgery is performed may vary depending on your condition and the provider’s practices. It is typically an outpatient procedure, so you will go home the same day.

In general, the surgical procedure follows this process:

• You will change into a hospital gown and remove any jewelry.   
• You will lie on a bed or table and various monitors will be attached to monitor your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. 
• An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm to give you medicine to make you comfortable and help you sleep. You may be given general anesthesia via a mask.
• Once you’re asleep, a tube may be put into your throat and hooked up to a breathing machine while the procedure is done. 
• The surgeon will place the limb being worked on in a positioning device and may use a tourniquet (temporarily cut off blood flow) to decrease blood loss and enhance visibility inside the joint. They may also inject a fluid such as saline to help expand the joint.
• The surgeon will make an incision in the joint area. Other incisions may be made to put other small instruments to grasp, cut, grind or provide suction during repairs.
• The scope and instruments will be removed when the exam is done. Incisions will be closed with stitches, surgical staples or surgical tape. 

The procedure may take one to two hours, depending on the treatments needed. For example, knee arthroscopy may take about an hour. 

Recovery from arthroscopy

After the procedure, you’ll be taken to a recovery area where you’ll rest until the effects of the medicine wear off. You may feel a little groggy or sleepy for a short time. Have someone bring you home after the procedure. 

Your provider will provide instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure. This may include:

• Medication for pain: Take prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers for soreness. Avoid aspirin or other pain medicines that may increase your chance of bleeding.
• Bathing instructions: Keep the incision site clean and dry. Your provider will give you instructions on how to bathe and shower.
• RICE: Rest, ice, compress and elevate the joint.
• Protection: Wear a sling, brace or use crutches, as prescribed by your provider.
• Physical therapy: Your provider may prescribe physical therapy and rehabilitation to help strengthen your muscles and improve your joint's range of motion and function.

Call your provider immediately if you have any of the following:

• Fever and chills
• Pain that doesn’t get better after taking pain medicine
• Redness or swelling at the surgical site
• New numbness or tingling
• Stomach pain and nausea

Call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency department if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden chest pain
• Difficulty breathing and swallowing or gasping for air 
• Sudden loss of consciousness

Expert care 

Are you experiencing joint pain, stiffness or mobility issues? Banner Health provides comprehensive solutions for diagnosing and treating orthopedic and joint issues. Contact us today if you have questions about arthroscopy or need to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.