Arthroscopy (Keyhole Joint Surgery)
Viewing and treating the inside of a joint through small incisions with a camera.
Arthroscopy is a surgical technique in which a small camera is introduced into the joint through incisions of a few millimetres, allowing the interior of the joint to be examined and treated. Because the surrounding tissues are largely preserved, recovery is generally faster than after open surgery.
Areas of Use
- Knee: meniscus tears, cruciate ligament reconstruction, cartilage procedures
- Shoulder: rotator cuff repair, instability and impingement
- Hip: femoroacetabular impingement and labral repair
- Ankle: cartilage lesions and impingement
Procedure and Recovery
The operation is performed under regional or general anaesthesia. Sterile fluid is used to expand the joint, and the camera and fine instruments are introduced through separate portals. Repairs, trimming or reconstruction are carried out under direct vision.
Most procedures are performed as day surgery or with a short hospital stay. The rehabilitation programme depends on what was done inside the joint: simple procedures allow early weight-bearing, whereas repairs require a protected period before loading is increased.
If your joint locks, catches or swells repeatedly, or if imaging has shown an internal joint problem, an assessment is advisable.
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