Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the operating surgeon to visually inspect the joint internally by the use of a small camera.

The surgeon makes small incisions in the skin near the joint (usually less that 1 cm) and inserts a small camera (the arthroscope) to view the joint. In the past the surgeon used to view the joint directly through a small eyepiece, but these days the arthroscope is a fibreoptic instrument that transmits the picture to a large screen in the operating theatre which can be viewed clearly and safely. Pictures or videos can be taken through this instrument and saved for later viewing or record keeping, and to allow the patient to also view the interior of their joint.

Dr Ihsheish can insert similarly small instruments through other incisions and perform many procedures without the need for large incisions.

Examples of what the surgeon can do include taking samples of fluid or tissues for examination, and removal of abnormal tissues and repair or reconstruction of ligaments or cartilage inside the joint.

The advantage of arthroscopy is that it can be performed through very small incisions in the skin, thus avoiding the need for a formal large incision. This should mean less pain and general discomfort, and cosmetically it means less scarring. Many arthroscopic procedures thus allow a more comfortable and faster recovery phase following surgical procedures.
Many joints can be approached arthroscopically these days, commonly these procedures can be done in such joints as the knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow etc.