During the test
This test is often done in a hospital or clinic by a surgeon that specializes in this area. Depending on the joint being tested, you may receive general, regional, or local anesthesia. This procedure usually takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
You will be dressed in a hospital gown and have the joint being examined stabilized. Your doctor may place a band around the joint area to limit blood flow to the joint. Your doctor will make a small incision in the skin to insert the arthroscope. A camera is attached to the arthroscope to display the inside of a joint on a screen. Your doctor may make additional incisions into the skin to allow the entry of surgical tools as needed to repair any damage.
The small incisions are closed with stitches.
After the test
It is normal to experience some pain and tenderness around the joint after the procedure. You may need to rest your joint for a few days and use ice, compression, and elevation of the joint to reduce any discomfort. You may or may not have to use splints, slings, or crutches after the procedure.
Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent infection and pain-relieving medications. You should try to keep the bandage that covers your wound as dry as possible. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several weeks for your joint to heal.
If you were given general anesthesia before the surgery, you will be assigned to a hospital recovery room immediately after the surgery. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel sore, groggy, or nauseous. Nurses will be available to assist you.
After the anesthesia wears off, you will either be discharged from the hospital or required to stay overnight, at which point you will be moved to a regular ward for the rest of your stay. Before you are discharged, the doctor or nurse will explain the steps you need to take to complete your recovery at home.
Your doctor should be able to review the results of the test with you right away. You will most likely have follow-up visits with your doctor to assess how well your joint is healing.