Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows orthopedic surgeons to diagnose & treat orthopedic conditions within a joint. During arthroscopic surgery, 2 to 3 small incisions, called portals, are made. These incisions are used to introduce the arthroscopic instruments:

• Arthroscope: a long, flexible instrument with a camera on the end that is used to diagnose the condition and guide the repair.
• Irrigation Cannula: a hollow instrument used to fill the joint with water.
• Shaver: used to trim away damaged tissue or to re-anchor torn cartilage.

Advantages to Arthroscopic Surgery:

• Faster recovery
• Smaller incisions
• Decreased risk of infection
• Less painful than traditional surgery
• Less invasive than traditional surgery
• Outpatient procedure
• Decreased scarring