An arthroscope is a very significant orthopedic tool. The arthroscope is a thin bendable fiberoptic camera which is introduced into a joint space to visualize and repair injuries. The arthroscope is inserted through a tiny incision in order to carry out diagnostic and treatment procedures within the joint. An arthroscope is about the diameter of a drinking straw. The arthroscope contains an incredibly bright light source to help visualize the joint structures. Arthroscopes are used to repair the damaged structures. A solution of sodium chloride flows into the joint, facilitating the arthroscope procedure. The solution used before the orthopedic procedure using arthroscope serves two purposes. One, the constant flow of the liquid will flush out any debris made by the procedure. Two, the liquid distends the joint which allows the surgeon to see better when using an arthroscope. The arthroscope acts as a spigot, allowing the fluid to enter the joint. Suction, applied through other instruments, removes the fluid. The arthroscope is connected to a television monitor that the physician looks at while performing the procedure. Using an arthroscope requires incredible skill and coordination. An arthroscope can be used not only for diagnostic procedures but a wide range of orthopedic repairs, such as debridement, or cleaning, of a joint to remove bits of torn cartilage, ligament reconstruction, and removal of the joint lining. All are done without a major, invasive operation, and, since using an arthroscope for surgery requires only tiny incisions, many procedures can be done on an outpatient basis with local anesthetic.

Athroscopic surgery is a procedure in which the inside of the joint can be evaluated and treated using orthopedic tools like an arthroscope to be placed into the joint through small incisions or portals measuring less than half an inch. The arthroscope equipment is an orthopedic tool that consists of an arthroscope and small surgical instruments which allow the surgeon to probe, cut, or shave tissues inside the knee. The arthroscope itself is a small tube which is about 4 to 5 millimeters in diameter. The arthroscope has a fiberoptic light source and a magnifying lens. Attached to the arthroscope is a cable which projects the image from inside the knee onto a television screen or monitor. The knee joint is filled with sterile fluid and the arthroscope is moved around the inside of the knee joint by the surgeon so that various areas and structures can be seen and evaluated on the monitor. The small orthopedic instruments, aside from the arthroscope, such as biters, shavers, probes, scissors, and others are placed into the joint through separate incisions to remove torn cartilage, trim torn structures, or do other procedures. Two to four small incisions are usually needed for the orthopedic surgery using an arthroscope.

At present the skilled orthopedic surgeon uses the arthroscope to assist with numerous injury repairs. The procedure that uses arthroscopes has continued to advance since the first use of arthroscopes in the early 1970’s. The arthroscope was originally used as a diagnostic tool to determine the extent of an injury. Now, the arthroscope has evolved into the preferred orthopedic tool for many joint repairs. Advances in technology have allowed the orthopedic surgeon to become more innovative in the use of the arthroscope. The importance of arthroscope is now appreciated as a very helpful orthopedic tool.