Introduction

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure orthopedic surgeons use to visualize, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. The word arthroscopy comes from two Greek words, “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look). The term literally means “to look within the joint.”

Risk Factors

While arthroscopy is a common and safe procedure, there are some risk factors associated with it. These include:

• Age: Older adults may face a higher risk of complications due to existing health conditions.
• Obesity: Overweight patients may have increased risk due to potential difficulty in surgery and recovery.
• Existing Health Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes or heart disease may increase the risk of complications during surgery.

Prevention

While you cannot prevent the need for arthroscopy, you can reduce your risk of joint injury by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and using the right techniques and safety gear when participating in sports or physical activities.

Myths, Misconceptions, and Facts

Myth: Arthroscopy is a highly invasive procedure.

Fact: Compared to traditional open surgery, arthroscopy is minimally invasive, often involving just a few small incisions.

Myth: Recovery from arthroscopy takes a long time.

Fact: Most patients can return to their normal activities within a few weeks, though full recovery may take several months.

Myth: Arthroscopy is only used for knee problems.

Fact: While commonly used for knee issues, arthroscopy can be used to treat conditions in other joints like the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, and ankle.