Arthroscopy is a procedure which utilizes a tiny camera to look inside the knee joint.  This allows the surgeon to evaluate and treat knee disorders.  Arthroscopy requires only small incisions around the knee for the insertion of small instruments that are about the size of a pen or pencil.  With arthroscopy, degenerated and worn menisci can be trimmed and smoothed, which reduces one source of inflammation.  Additionally, the lining of the knee (the synovium), can be trimmed, and this also decreases inflammation.  Patients who have knee arthroscopy go home the same day.  Recovery from surgery occurs over a couple of weeks.  Unfortunately, the benefit of arthroscopy decreases as the degree of arthritis increases.  In advanced arthritis, arthroscopy is of little value.

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