Arthroscope Health Dictionary

Inspection of the interior of a joint (usually the knee) to diagnose any disorder there. The instrument used is a type of ENDOSCOPE called an ARTHROSCOPE. The knee is often affected by conditions that are not easy to diagnose and are not revealed by X-ray examination. Surgery can be performed using arthroscopy and this reduces the time a patient has to be in hospital.... arthroscopy

A surgical procedure in which all or part of a damaged meniscus (cartilage disc) is removed from a joint, almost always from the knee. Meniscectomy may be carried out when damage to the meniscus causes the knee to lock or to give way repeatedly. The procedure cures these symptoms and reduces the likelihood of premature osteoarthritis in the joint.

Arthroscopy may be carried out to confirm and locate the damage, and the damaged area removed by instruments passed through the arthroscope.

Alternatively, the meniscus may be removed through an incision at the side of the patella (kneecap).

In either case, there may be an increased risk of osteoarthritis in later life, but this is less than if the damaged meniscus had been left in place.... meniscectomy

A tube-shaped instrument inserted into a cavity in the body to investigate and treat disorders. It is ?exible and equipped with lenses and a light source. Examples of endoscopes are the CYSTOSCOPE for use in the bladder, the GASTROSCOPE for examining the stomach and the ARTHROSCOPE for looking into joints (see also FIBREOPTIC ENDOSCOPY).... endoscope

n. the refashioning of articular cartilage, commonly performed by shaving areas of worn and unstable cartilage with the aid of an *arthroscope.... chondroplasty