Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to inspect and treat problems inside a joint and it allows a surgeon to look inside a joint and examine it closely so that they can determine what is wrong.

An arthroscope is a narrow tube with a light source attached to a tiny video camera, which transmits pictures back to a TV monitor. The arthroscope is passed through a small incision in the skin (arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure) and then used to light up and magnify the joint, so the surgeon can see any damage.

Arthroscopy can be used to investigate conditions such as arthritis, symptoms such as pain or joint weakness, and damage to cartilage or ligaments. Small instruments can be attached to the arthroscope to take a biopsy sample or to cut, trim or remove any loose fragments of tissue, bone or cartilage.

Arthroscopy is most often used to examine the knee joint, but techniques have been developed for using the procedure to examine other joints, including the shoulder, hip, ankle, wrist and the small joints of the fingers.