Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which a small fiberoptic telescope (arthroscope) is inserted into a joint. Fluid is then inserted into the joint to distend the joint and to allow for the visualization of the structures within that joint. Usually the surgery is viewed on a moniter so that the whole operating team is aware of the type of surgical procedure that is being performed.

While an arthroscope is used in many different types of surgical procedures, the recovery time and outcome of the procedure is related to the type of injury and the type of arthroscopic surgical procedure performed. For example, an arthroscopic surgical ligament reconstruction will take longer to heal and the recovery time will be longer then the patient who has an arthroscopic removal of a loose body.