Glossary
Arthroscope (knee camera)
Quick answer
An arthroscope is a pencil-thin telescope with a light and camera that is passed into the knee through a small cut, so the surgeon can see the joint on a screen and treat it with fine instruments, as Doha knee surgeon Dr. Pablo Gelber explains to patients at Aman Hospital.
What it is
An arthroscope is a narrow rigid tube, usually about 4 to 5 millimetres wide, that carries a lens system and a fibre-optic light. A small camera attaches to the end outside the knee and sends a magnified, high-definition image to a monitor in the operating theatre.
Sterile fluid is run through the knee during the procedure. It gently expands the joint and keeps the view clear, so the surgeon can look at the cartilage, menisci and ligaments from many angles.
Why it matters for patients
Because the arthroscope works through a keyhole rather than an open incision, there is usually less pain, smaller scars and a quicker return to walking than with open surgery. Many arthroscopic procedures are done as day cases.
The camera also allows a precise diagnosis. Small tears or cartilage wear that an MRI only suggests can be seen directly and, in many cases, treated in the same operation.
How it is used
The arthroscope is the basis of knee arthroscopy, meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction and many cartilage procedures. It is not used just to look: an arthroscopy is planned only when examination and imaging show a problem that surgery can help. Whether it is right for you depends on your examination, scans and goals.
Frequently asked questions
Will I see the camera images of my knee?
Many patients are given photographs from the arthroscopy, and the surgeon usually goes through what was found and done at the follow-up visit.
Is an arthroscope the same as keyhole surgery?
The arthroscope is the camera itself. Keyhole or arthroscopic surgery is the operation performed while looking through it, using small instruments inserted through separate small cuts.
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