Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows viewing the knee joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee problems. During arthroscopy, the surgeon inserts a small camera called an arthroscope, into the knee joint. The camera also displays pictures on a video monitor allowing the surgeon to guide small sized surgical instruments. Because the arthroscope and surgical instruments are thin, surgeons can use very small incisions, rather than the larger incision needed for open surgery. This results in less pain and joint stiffness for patients, and often shortens the time it takes to recover and return to favorite activities.