Arthroscopy can be used to both diagnose and treat the cause of joint pain if physical examination, laboratory texts, X-rays, scans and conservative treatments prove inconclusive or ineffective. A pencil-thin (or smaller) arthroscope equipped with an extra-articular camera head enters the joint through a small incision in the skin, while surgical instruments enter through one or more similar incisions strategically placed according to the area of intervention and type of procedure planned. Via the camera head, the doctor is able to clearly see the joint bones as well as the cartilaginous and ligamentous structures on a screen, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment of the presenting issue. Normally arthroscopic surgery requires only local or regional anesthesia and a sedative, making it an outpatient procedure.

Wrist Arthroscopy can be used to diagnose chronic pain and stiffness as well as to remove bone fragments and spurs caused by fractures, repair ligament and triangular fibrocartilage tears, uproot ganglion cysts and relieve nerve pressure (see Carpal Tunnel Release). It is also a useful adjunct in fracture and ligament reconstruction surgery.

The midcarpal joint is shown.  The triquetrum is seen on the right, lunate next and the capitate is above.  Finally, the scaphoid is viewed, demonstrating a fracture of the scaphoid as exemplified by the defect in the articular cartilage running diagonally across the screen, and opposite the capitate, which is seen above.

Elbow Arthroscopy enables the surgeon to see the joint at a number of different angles, which leads to a greater possibility of diagnosing and treating both acute and chronic problems. Common interventions include debriding the surface of an arthritic bone to render it smooth, removing bone fragments and spurs caused by fractures and overuse, releasing adhesions and contractures (see Osteocapsular Arthroplasty Surgery) and repairing tendons (see Tennis Elbow Surgery).

In this case of traumatic osteoarthritis and fracture malunion
of the elbow, the enlarged coronoid process is on the left
and the distal humerus on the right.

Partial arthroscopic removal of the coronoid is shown on the right
and the humerus is on the left.

Removal of part of the prominent olecranon is
shown below and the humerus is on the left.

The partially resected enlarged coronoid process of the ulna is
in the center and the rotating radial head at the sigmoid notch
of the ulna is seen on the right.

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Acromioplasty

The undersurface of the acromion is flattened with a burr in
order to create a smooth roof without spurs for the passage of
the rotator cuff tendon below. 

Metacarpal Phalangeal Joint Arthroscopy is a relatively new procedure and is providing doctors with a greater ability to diagnose and treat such acute injuries to the joint as Skier’s Thumb or chronic ailments like stress fractures, ligament tears and synovial scarring.

Basilar Joint of the Thumb Arthroscopy is often used to treat chronic conditions that result from Osteoarthritis like surface debridement and tendon resurfacing.