An arthroscopy is a form of keyhole surgery that is used to look inside a joint and repair any damage that has occurred.
Keyhole surgery is where a small incision (cut) is made in the tissue, as opposed to a larger incision that is used during normal surgery.
Arthroscopies are carried out using a piece of equipment called an arthroscope.
Arthroscope
An arthroscope is a small, flexible tube about the length and width of a drinking straw. Inside the arthroscope is a bundle of fiber optics, which are special cables made out of glass that can be used to transmit and receive signals of light.
The fiber optics can act as both a light source and a camera, allowing surgeons to illuminate the joint while at the same time relaying images from the arthroscope to a video screen or an eye piece.
Diagnosis and treatment
An arthroscopy has two main uses:
- diagnosis - an arthroscopy can help diagnose problems with the joint, such as joint pain, stiffness, or limited range of joint movement, and
- treatment - an arthroscopy can be used to repair damage to the joint.
History
Arthroscopy surgery was first performed in the 1930s, but it was not until the introduction of fiber optics in the 1970s that the technique became widespread with a good record of clinical effectiveness.
At first, arthroscopy was only carried out on the knee joint as this was the most easily accessible joint. However, as a result of advances in technology, it is now possible to carry out arthroscopy on most of the main joints of the body including the:
- shoulder,
- hip,
- elbow,
- wrist, and
- ankle.
Joint
Joints are the connection point between two bones that allow movement.
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional feeling that your body produces as a warning sign that it has been damaged.
Hip replacement
Hip replacement surgery is used to replace the original, damaged hip joint with a new, artificial hip made from plastic, ceramic or metal.
Last updated: 04 October 2011
Continue to next section: What is it used for