Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique used by orthopaedic surgeons to examine and treat the interior of a joint. Two greeks words make up arthroscopy including 'arthro' (meaning joint) and 'skopein' (meaning to look).

The orthopaedic surgeon makes a small incision in the skin to begin the arthroscopic examination. Small instruments that contain a lighting system and a small lens allow the doctor to clearly see the joint. Fiber optics provide the light at the end of the arthroscope. This view is transmitted to a monitor where the doctor can make a more accurate diagnosis without the need for a large incision to see everything.

The knee is the largest joint in the body. Unfortunately it can also be prone to injury.

Resources on Arthroscopy

• AAOS article - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons article: What is Arthroscopy
• AAOS article - Knee Arthroscopy
• Wiki entry on Arthroscopy

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