Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that involves the surgeon creating a small incision in the area of a joint affected by injury. A light and small camera are fitted onto a narrow tube that is inserted through the incision. The camera provides the surgeon with a view of inside the injured joint.
An arthroscopic surgery can be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both. When used for treatment, the surgeon must make another small incision(s) to insert small surgical tools and try to repair the injured joint. Knee arthroscopy and shoulder arthroscopy are two common surgeries of this type.
