Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows an orthopaedic surgeon to see inside your joint and treat joint problems without making a big incision. Your surgeon will use a small camera to look inside your joint and small surgical instruments to repair joint damage.
UPMC experts provide comprehensive joint care, including joint arthroscopy, to treat inflammation, injury, and damage to soft tissue in the joint. Our team will develop a treatment plan that helps to reduce your symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life.
What Is Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows your surgeon to see inside your joint and treat joint problems without a large incision. The surgeon will use a small camera to look inside your joint and small surgical instruments to repair joint damage.
Types of arthroscopy
Your surgeon may recommend arthroscopy for different joints, including the:
- Elbow
- Hip
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Wrist
Conditions we treat with arthroscopy
Why Would I Need Arthroscopy?
You may need arthroscopy if you have joint pain or other symptoms affecting your quality of life that have not responded to nonsurgical care.
Is arthroscopy right for me?
You may be a candidate for arthroscopy if you have a joint problem that has not responded to other treatments and are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. Your doctor will let you know if arthroscopy is right for you.
Alternatives to arthroscopy
Alternatives to arthroscopy include nonsurgical treatment, such as:
- Activity changes to reduce joint strain.
- Assistive devices, such as canes, crutches, or walkers.
- Heat and/or ice.
- Over-the-counter medications to manage pain.
- Physical therapy.
Surgical alternatives to arthroscopy include:
What Are the Risks and Complications of Arthroscopy?
As with any surgical procedure, arthroscopy comes with some risks.
Arthroscopy risks include:
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia or medication.
- Bleeding.
- Blood clots.
- Infection.
- Nerve injury.
- Pain or stiffness that doesn’t improve after surgery.
What Should I Expect From Arthroscopy?
Before: How to prepare for arthroscopy
Before your procedure, you will meet with your care team and have a physical exam. Your care team will talk with you about how to prepare for your procedure.
Your care team may order tests, such as:
- Blood or urine tests — Your doctor may order blood work and urine studies to make sure you are healthy enough for the procedure and check for signs of illness or infection.
- CT scan — A computed tomography (CT) scan creates images of the bones and structures in your joint.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) — This test records the electrical activity of your heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage. EKGs are often performed before a procedure to make sure your heart is healthy and identify potential problems.
- MRI — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within your body.
- X-ray — Your doctor may order an x-ray to learn more about the condition of the bones and tissues in your joint.
Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and answer your questions.
To prepare for the procedure, you should:
- Fast for a certain period of time prior to the procedure. Your care team will tell you if you need to fast or how long to fast (usually overnight).
- Have any tests that your doctor recommends. For example, your doctor may request a blood test before the procedure to determine how long it takes your blood to clot.
- Tell your doctor if you are sensitive or allergic to any medications, iodine, latex, tape, or anesthetic agents (local and general).
- Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal or other supplements you are taking.
- Tell your doctor if you have any other health conditions. Your care team may need to take certain precautions during your procedure for your safety.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood-thinning medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. You may need to stop some of the medications prior to the procedure.
On the day of your procedure, be sure to bring your photo ID and health insurance card(s). Leave valuables such as cash and jewelry at home.
Arthroscopy is usually an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after you are discharged.
How long does arthroscopy take?
Arthroscopy may take as little as a half-hour or up to two hours, depending on the type of treatment you need.
During your arthroscopy
When you arrive at the hospital, you will meet with your care team for final preparations.
You will receive an IV in your hand or arm. You will have either general anesthesia to put you to sleep, a spinal epidural to prevent you from feeling pain in specific parts of your body, or a local anesthetic.
After you are positioned on a procedure table, your doctor will:
- Make one or more small incisions (cuts) in your skin to access your joint.
- Insert a small camera that provides a magnified view of the inside of your joint.
- Insert small surgical instruments to repair damage to your joint.
- Remove the instruments and move your joint to ensure it functions properly.
- Close your incision with stitches or skin glue.
After your procedure, your surgeon will place a bandage over your incision and make sure your condition is stable.
Recovery after arthroscopy
After your procedure is complete, you will be monitored in the recovery area. Your doctor will let you know when it is safe to go home. You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital after your discharge.
Before you go home, your care team will tell you:
- How to care for your incision and watch for signs of infection or complications.
- What medications you need to take.
- When or if you should begin physical therapy.
- When to call your doctor or 911 if you have certain symptoms.
- When you should schedule your follow-up appointments, if one has not been scheduled already.
- When you can return to your normal activities, such as driving and bathing.
When to call your doctor about complications
You should let your surgeon know if you have:
- A fever of more than 100.0°F.
- Difficulty breathing.
- New or increasing shortness of breath.
- Pain, redness, bleeding, drainage, or increased swelling at your treatment site.
- Severe pain that does not respond to medication.
What’s the prognosis after arthroscopy?
Most people who have arthroscopy experience shorter recovery times with lower risk of complications when compared to traditional open surgical procedures. In most cases, arthroscopy provides symptom relief, restores mobility, and enables people to return to the activities they enjoy.
What’s the success rate of arthroscopy?
Many joint problems can be successfully treated with arthroscopic surgery. Your doctor will discuss your expected success rate with you.
Why Choose UPMC for Arthroscopy?
When you choose UPMC for arthroscopy, you will receive:
- Access to world-class orthopaedic expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of joint disorders using the latest surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
- Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your joint pain and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical care, as well as minimally invasive, robotic, and traditional surgical approaches, depending on your individual care needs.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-01-27.
