Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive orthopaedic procedure that has developed rapidly around the world since the 1980s. With the continuous development of its theory and instrumentation technology, arthroscopic surgery has been able to solve the diagnosis and treatment of most joint diseases, and even many surgeries that could not be done by incision in the past have been solved by using arthroscopic surgery instead. Arthroscopy has gradually developed from a mere technique to an independent discipline and has become one of the most important branches of orthopedic surgery. How is arthroscopic surgery performed? Arthroscopy is a metal tube about the thickness of a pencil with a lens at the front and a fiber optic end that can be connected to a TV. Using optical principles, through the magnification of images, orthopedic surgeons can clearly observe changes in the structures within the joint through the arthroscope, which is more intuitive and comprehensive than other non-invasive auxiliary examinations (including CT and MRI), and can dynamically observe the degree of impact of abnormal tissue on joint stability and function. It is also possible to take biopsies of the lesions as appropriate. Therefore, the diagnosis is clearer, more reliable and more complete, which is conducive to the selection of the best treatment plan. At the same time, a variety of special surgical instruments can be inserted through 1-2 small openings, and various microscopic procedures such as excision, trimming, vaporization, suturing, and fixation of various lesions can be accurately performed under arthroscopic surveillance. In a nutshell, the procedure is performed at the same time as the examination and treatment. The direct observation and surgery under arthroscopy not only improves the diagnosis and accuracy, but also provides better surgical results and fewer complications and sequelae due to minimally invasive surgery under the arthroscope. What are the features of arthroscopy? In general, arthroscopic surgery is the least invasive, the best in terms of tissue exposure, the most precise and physiologically correct of all joint surgeries. With the arthroscope and its accompanying color imaging system, the surgeon can see almost all parts of the joint, and the images are magnified so that the lesion can be seen more clearly, thus providing a more comprehensive and accurate view than open surgery. In addition, because the incision is very small (traditional incision is usually about 10cm, while minimally invasive incision is usually about 5mm), the damage to the surrounding tissues is small, and the postoperative pain is mild. More importantly, minimally invasive orthopedic surgery does not leave behind sequelae such as muscle atrophy and joint stiffness, which can directly lead to poor rehabilitation results. Therefore, arthroscopic surgery is effective, with less trauma, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and faster patient recovery. Which injuries are suitable for arthroscopic surgery? Theoretically speaking, arthroscopy can solve the diagnosis and treatment of most injuries and diseases of almost all joints in the body, and even spine surgery can be performed with arthroscopic equipment and techniques, but at present, the clinical application is mainly for joints such as knee, shoulder, hip, ankle and wrist. Take the knee joint as an example, most knee injuries and diseases are suitable for arthroscopic surgery. Unexplained joint swelling, various synovitis, osteoarthritis, intra-articular free body, meniscal injury, cruciate ligament injury, patellar subluxation, intra-articular infection, etc. can be examined and treated by arthroscopy. In addition, the use of arthroscopy outside of the joint is also expanding and has unique advantages in the treatment of conditions such as gluteus contracture and congenital oblique neck. How should patients cooperate with arthroscopic surgery? Before the procedure, a general examination is required, with no serious diseases of the vital organs of the body, no infections such as respiratory tract, and no skin breakdown, boils, etc. around the knee joint including the thighs and calves. Before the surgery, local skin cleaning should be performed to keep it clean and to prepare fully psychologically. During the operation, you should follow the doctor’s and nurse’s instructions strictly and inform the doctor and nurse first if you have any discomfort. After anesthesia in the doctor’s guidance to actively carry out the functional exercise of the limbs, such as leg muscle contraction exercise, straight leg raising exercise, in the muscle strength recovery by the doctor’s permission before walking on the ground, so as not to sprain the joint or fall, most cases, in the postoperative one week after the wound stitches can be removed to resume free activities. Of course, the specific situation should always consult with the doctor, so that you can get the best treatment and rehabilitation. All patients who have undergone arthroscopic surgery should be reviewed by the surgeon 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the surgery to receive professional guidance and to let the surgeon know the results of the treatment and improve the technique. What are the possible complications of arthroscopic surgery? Generally speaking, there are few serious complications. The more serious complication is wound infection, but it occurs at a much lower rate than other orthopedic procedures, especially arthrocentesis. Another complication is that the arthroscopic instruments are very thin and can break, but this can only happen in thousands of people, so arthroscopic surgery is generally safe.