Which procedure uses an arthroscope to view inside a joint?

Which procedure uses an arthroscope to view inside a joint?

• A. Arthroscopy
• B. Laparoscopy
• C. Endoscopy
• D. Colposcopy

Answer: (A)

Viewing inside a joint with a small camera is what arthroscopy is designed to do. An arthroscope—a slim instrument with a camera and light—is inserted into a joint through tiny incisions, allowing the surgeon to see the joint’s internal structures on a monitor. This technique is used to diagnose issues like torn cartilage or damaged ligaments and to perform repairs with minimally invasive instruments through the same small openings. It’s commonly used for knees and shoulders and can involve saline to improve visibility. Laparoscopy uses a scope to view the abdominal cavity, not a joint. Endoscopy is a general term for viewing internal surfaces with a scope and can apply to various body areas, not specifically joints. Colposcopy refers to examining the cervix with a specialized scope. Among these, the procedure that uses an arthroscope to view inside a joint is arthroscopy.

Viewing inside a joint with a small camera is what arthroscopy is designed to do. An arthroscope—a slim instrument with a camera and light—is inserted into a joint through tiny incisions, allowing the surgeon to see the joint’s internal structures on a monitor. This technique is used to diagnose issues like torn cartilage or damaged ligaments and to perform repairs with minimally invasive instruments through the same small openings. It’s commonly used for knees and shoulders and can involve saline to improve visibility.

Laparoscopy uses a scope to view the abdominal cavity, not a joint. Endoscopy is a general term for viewing internal surfaces with a scope and can apply to various body areas, not specifically joints. Colposcopy refers to examining the cervix with a specialized scope. Among these, the procedure that uses an arthroscope to view inside a joint is arthroscopy.