Arthroscopy is one of the most exciting areas of small animal orthopaedics.
Arthroscopy involves the use of a small telescope (2.7mm or less in diameter) that is attached to a camera head. The image from the inside of the joint is transmitted from the camera head to a large monitor where it is viewed by the surgeon. Sterile fluid is run through the joint to keep the image clear. The image seen on the monitor is magnified and seen with a bright light source.
This magnification, a bright light source and viewing the joint with fluid in it allows many subtle lesions to be detected that would otherwise go undetected. Small instruments are placed into the joint to treat the problem. After the procedure a skin staple is used to close the portals where the arthroscope and instruments entered the joint.
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