What happens during arthroscopic surgery?
Before the procedure, you will be given a general anesthetic and, when you are unconscious, the orthopedic surgeon will make a small (3–4 mm) cut in your joint to allow a small camera-like device (arthroscope) to be inserted into the joint. Fluid is then pumped into the joint through the arthroscope to increase the size of the joint and improve the view inside for the surgeon. The surgeon will look at an external television screen to see what the problem is inside your joint, and once the diagnosis has been confirmed, a second small cut is made to allow the surgeon to insert the relevant instruments needed to perform the surgery.
