What Is Arthroscopic Treatment?: And When is it Used

Joint pain can make daily activities like walking, lifting, or reaching more difficult. When conservative treatments such as rest, physical therapy, medications, or injections do not provide enough relief, your doctor may discuss arthroscopic treatment as a next step.

Arthroscopy allows your doctor to see inside the joint using a small camera called an arthroscope. The camera is inserted through a tiny incision and displays images on a monitor to guide treatment.

Small surgical instruments may be used through additional small incisions to repair or remove damaged tissue. Because the incisions are small, arthroscopy typically causes less disruption to surrounding tissue compared to traditional open surgery. Recovery time depends on the joint involved and the type of repair performed.

Which Joints Can Be Treated?

Arthroscopy is most commonly performed on the:

• Knee
  
  
• Shoulder
  
  
• Ankle
  
  
• Elbow
  
  
• Wrist
  
  

Your orthopedic specialist will determine whether arthroscopy is appropriate based on your symptoms, physical exam, and imaging results.

When Is Arthroscopy Considered?

Arthroscopic treatment may be considered when:

• Joint pain continues despite rest, physical therapy, or medication
  
  
• Swelling or stiffness does not improve
  
  
• The joint feels unstable
  
  
• The joint locks or catches during movement
  
  
• Imaging shows damage inside the joint
  
  

Surgery is usually not the first step. Many joint conditions improve with conservative care. Arthroscopy may be recommended when non-surgical treatments have not provided enough relief.

What Conditions Can Arthroscopy Help Treat?

Depending on the joint, arthroscopy may be used to treat:

• Torn cartilage, such as a meniscus tear in the knee
  
  
• Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder
  
  
• Labral tears
  
  
• Loose cartilage fragments
  
  
• Certain ligament injuries
  
  
• Inflammation inside the joint
  
  

Each patient’s condition is unique, and a full evaluation is important before deciding on surgery.

Schedule an Evaluation

If joint pain is limiting your daily activities or not improving with conservative treatment, the team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics can help determine the most appropriate next step.

We provide comprehensive orthopedic evaluations at our offices in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, Hazlet, and Jersey City. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment and learn more about your treatment options.