why it s done doctors use arthroscopy to help diagnose and treat a variety of joint conditions most commonly those affecting the knee shoulder elbow ankle hip wrist diagnostic procedures doctors often turn to arthroscopy if x rays and other imaging studies have left some diagnostic questions unanswered surgical procedures conditions treated with arthroscopy include loose bone fragments damaged or torn cartilage inflamed joint linings torn ligaments scarring within joints

Arthroscopy - is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor. Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see inside your joint without making a large incision. Surgeons can even repair some types of joint damage during arthroscopy, with pencil-thin surgical instruments inserted through additional small incisions. Why it's done Doctors use arthroscopy to help diagnose and treat a variety of joint conditions, most commonly those affecting the: Knee Shoulder Elbow Ankle Hip Wrist Diagnostic procedures Doctors often turn to arthroscopy if X-rays and other imaging studies have left some diagnostic questions unanswered. Surgical procedures Conditions treated with arthroscopy include: Loose bone fragments Damaged or torn cartilage Inflamed joint linings Torn ligaments Scarring within joints