Joint replacement specialists may perform open surgery for some replacements. Open surgery involves making a large incision in the affected area of your body. The doctor will examine the cartilage and bones at the joint, remove damaged portions, and install a replacement. In some cases, it’s possible to use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.
An arthroscope is a narrow, flexible tube fitted with a camera placed inside your joint through a tiny incision. The arthroscope’s camera sends back images of the inside of the joint to a monitor that your surgeon uses to guide the surgery. Arthroscopy causes significantly less damage to the tissues surrounding your joints, so you feel less pain and recover more quickly. Commonly, the knee and shoulder are operated on through arthroscopic surgery.
