When an arthroscopy may be used

An arthroscopy can becarried outto help diagnose and treat a number of joint problems and conditions. Diagnosing joint problems An arthroscopy can be used to help investigate: Joint pain joint stiffness swelling of the joint the joint giving way or "popping" out of position Theseproblems are usually first investigated using X-rays , computerised tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans . If these scans don't find anything, itmay be necessary to take a direct look at the inside of the joint. An arthroscopy can also be used to assess the level of joint damage resulting from an injury,such as a sports injury , or from underlying conditions that can cause joint damage, such as osteoarthritis . Treating joint problems and conditions Fine surgical instruments can be used along with an arthroscope to allow a surgeon to treat a range of joint problems and conditions. For example, an arthroscopy can be used to: repair damaged cartilage, tendons and ligaments(for example, in knee ligament surgery ) remove inflamed tissue remove small sections of boneandcartilage that have broken off andare loose within the joint drain away an excess build-up of synovial fluid (which lubricates the joint) Conditions that can be treated with arthroscopy include: arthritis a common condition that causes pain and inflammation within a joint Baker's cyst a build-up ofsynovial fluid inside a joint, leading to stiffness and swelling frozen shoulder pain and stiffness in the shoulder that tends to get gradually worse carpal tunnel syndrome a tingling sensation, numbness and sometimes pain in the hand and fingers arthrofibrosisexcess scar tissue caused by a previous injury that disrupts the normal workings of the joint bone spurs abnormal bone growths that can cause persistent pain synovitis inflammation of the joint lining temporomandibular disorder (TMD) a problem that affects the joint between the lower jaw and the base of the skull