Arthroscopy

An arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to view the inside of a joint and repair damaged tissues. A thin flexible tube (arthroscope) with a tiny fiber-optic camera is inserted through small incisions to clearly see a joint’s tendons, cartilage, or ligaments for evaluation. If damage is found, an orthopaedic surgeon may be able to repair affected areas at the same time.

The Penn Medicine Orthopaedics team of surgeons opts for an arthroscopy procedure over conventional surgery whenever possible because it often results in fewer complications and reduced recovery times. Our goal is to relieve your pain, improve your mobility, and help you return to your regular activities as soon as possible.

Many different types of joints, including knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, wrist, ankle, and foot joints, are diagnosed and treated using arthroscopic surgery. It’s often used to address common joint conditions, like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, and arthritis. It can also be used to treat injured joints.

To determine whether an arthroscopy operation is right for you, you’ll see an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in treating the type of joint that has the issue—for example, you may see a knee surgeon for an ACL tear or a shoulder surgeon for a frozen shoulder. Your doctor will examine the affected joint, look at imaging tests (x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, or CT scans), and review your overall health history as part of an initial evaluation. They’ll pay special attention to your joint symptoms, which may include those that have not responded to physical therapy, medications, or assistive aides like braces or splints.

Your doctor may recommend an arthroscopy operation if you have not found relief with nonsurgical treatments and are experiencing any persistent symptoms, including:

• Discomfort and pain while moving
• Limited movement due to swelling or pain
• Loss of full range of motion
• Persistent swelling

They’ll discuss the risks and benefits of arthroscopic surgery and consider your personal preferences before recommending a treatment plan.

An arthroscopy operation is usually an outpatient procedure that can be done in an hour or so. Sometimes it can take longer, depending on the complexity of the joint evaluation and repair.

While arthroscopy procedures can vary based on your specific joint issues, most include these steps:

• You’ll receive general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the type of arthroscopy. This allows you to stay comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• A few small incisions will be made in the skin to access the joint.
• The arthroscope is inserted into the joint and your surgeon will assess any damage and make a diagnosis. If appropriate, surgical instruments will be inserted to repair any damage.
• Once the evaluation and repairs are complete, your surgeon uses stitches to close the small incisions.
• You’ll be sent to a recovery area for post-surgical monitoring as the anesthesia wears off and you’ll have time to review any home-care instructions.

Your recovery from an arthroscopy procedure can vary depending on the complexity of the surgery and the joint that was affected. Talk with your doctor about your likely recovery timeframes and when you can expect to return to your regular daily activities.

There are some common recovery milestones that most people share:

• It's common to have pain near the affected area for a few weeks after surgery. Your doctor will recommend prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs to manage your pain.
• As soon as you’re able, you’ll start a physical therapy program to help you gain full function and mobility.
• You’ll have follow-up appointments with your orthopaedic team to monitor progress and discuss any concerns you have as you heal. While there are relatively few risks associated with arthroscopy, you should talk with your doctor if you show signs of unusual pain, bleeding, or swelling, or if you have signs of infection.

While a full recovery may take weeks or months, you’ll have support every step of the way to monitor your progress and get additional resources, so you regain strength and mobility as quickly as possible.

Whether you need knee arthroscopy, shoulder arthroscopy, hip arthroscopy, or another arthroscopic procedure, Penn Medicine’s orthopaedic team can help. Our team of orthopaedic surgeons, doctors, nurses, and therapy providers take a whole-body approach to diagnosing and treating your specific condition. We perform a high volume of arthroscopic procedures each year in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions, using the most advanced minimally invasive techniques.

When you come to Penn Medicine for arthroscopy procedures, you can expect exceptional care, including:

• A precise diagnosis: Using an arthroscope with a small fiber-optic camera, a surgeon can view a joint clearly to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the best treatment approach. This is particularly helpful when conventional imaging techniques don’t offer a clear diagnosis.
• Fast treatment: A surgeon can use a single arthroscopic procedure to evaluate your joint damage and repair damaged tissue, streamlining the amount of time spent in a clinical setting.
• Fewer risks: Arthroscopy surgery uses smaller incisions than conventional open surgery. This results in less pain, fewer infections, and shorter recovery times to support faster healing.
• Orthopaedic experts: Our orthopaedic surgeons are highly experienced in arthroscopy techniques and have specialties in treating different areas of the body, so you’ll get the expertise you need to address your specific joint pain.