Before the procedure your general state of health will be assessed. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure and outline any risks and you will have an opportunity to ask questions before signing the consent form.
An arthroscopy is normally carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep throughout. Some procedures may be performed under local anaesthetic, which means you will be awake but the affected area will be numbed.
Once the anaesthetic has been administered, the skin above the joint is cleaned and a small incision is made for the arthroscope to be inserted through. If you need to have a surgical procedure, other small incisions will be made through which the surgical instruments can be inserted.
To get a good view inside your joint, the surgeon may fill it with sterile fluid to expand the joint. They will be able to examine your joint thoroughly and, if necessary, make any repairs or remove loose bone and cartilage. Once the procedure is complete, the arthroscope and surgical instruments will be removed and the incisions closed with stitches and a dressing.
Afterwards you will be taken to a recovery room while you come round from the general anaesthetic. You may have some pain in the affected joint but you will be given painkilling medication. You can normally go home on the same day as surgery. Depending what type of procedure you have had, you may see a physiotherapist who will recommend exercises to support your recovery.
You will not be able to drive yourself hone and should have someone with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and keep the joint elevated as much as possible. It is important to keep any dressings dry and to do the exercises recommended by the physiotherapist. You will normally have a follow-up appointment a few weeks after your surgery to check how you are progressing.
