Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Why should it be done? of Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is used when it is necessary to know exactly what is happening within a joint and what can be done to put it right.

Surgery through the arthroscope allows the doctor to look into a place otherwise only easily reached by surgically opening up the joint.  The ‘keyhole’ technique is much safer, puts less pressure on the joint surfaces and doesn’t take as long to heal.

Surgeons don't like opening joints widely because they know how sensitive joints are to the slightest infection. Joints can be seriously damaged by infection, so anything that reduces this risk is an advantage.

Surgery performed by arthroscopy rarely has complications and you can usually go home the same day. You can return to your daily tasks more quickly than after other forms of surgery.

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