What Is Arthroscopy Surgery?

Got a problem with one of your joints?

If your treatment plan leads to surgery, chances are you’ll undergo arthroscopy. You’ve probably already heard that term, but you may not know exactly what it means.

At Steven E. Nolan, MD, arthroscopy surgery is our specialty. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure Dr. Nolan uses to view and treat problems inside your joints. The term comes from two Greek words meaning “look within the joint.” Doctors perform about 1.77 million arthroscopic procedures each year in the United States.

During the procedure, Dr. Nolan makes a small incision and inserts an arthroscope, a small, thin tube with a camera and light that sends images of the inside of your joint to a monitor. The inside view allows him to determine the extent of any damage and the treatment needed. He then inserts tiny instruments through another small incision to make the repairs.

The advantage of arthroscopy is that it avoids open surgery, which requires a larger incision and a longer healing time. General anesthesia is still necessary, but most patients usually go home within a few hours after the surgery.

When is it used?

Dr. Nolan uses a physical exam and imaging to make his initial diagnosis of your injury and determine if arthroscopy is necessary to restore your joint to normal. Arthroscopy is usually the last treatment option after more conservative treatments such as braces, splints, medications, and physical therapy haven’t provided relief. 

An arthroscope can show the inside of almost any joint, but the joints that undergo surgery most often are the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Conditions and injuries Dr. Nolan treats with arthroscopy include rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, knee pain, meniscus tears, ligament tears, and more.

What is recovery like?

Most arthroscopy surgeries are outpatient, so you’ll go home the same day. Your small incisions will take a few days to heal, but you shouldn’t have much pain from the procedure.

Patients can usually return to work, school, and daily activities within a few days. Your joint may take several weeks or months to recover fully, depending on your injury. In many cases, Dr. Nolan prescribes a specific rehabilitation or physical therapy regimen to speed your recovery, rebuild the strength in your muscles, and help prevent injuries in the future.

If and when you need an arthroscopy, Dr. Nolan and our team would be honored to care for you. Call our Sugar Land office anytime to set up an appointment, or use the online appointment request feature.