Hand Treatment: Joint Arthroscopy Surgery

Orthopedic Specialists provide advanced care for hand issues and wrist problems using joint arthroscopy—a minimally invasive procedure that allows our expert orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and treat problems inside your joints with precision and care.

With decades of experience serving Fort Dodge, Iowa, and the Midwest, our orthopedic surgery team is among the most trusted in the region. When you choose us, you’re in skilled hands.

What Is Joint Arthroscopy?

Joint arthroscopy (often called joint “scoping”) is a surgical technique that uses a small, lighted camera called an arthroscope. This tool lets your hand surgeon look inside the joint through tiny incisions, diagnose problems, and—if needed—perform repairs during the same procedure.

This method is much less invasive than traditional open surgery, often done on an outpatient basis, so most patients return home the same day.

Why Arthroscopy Is Used?

Joint arthroscopy is used to:

• Diagnose joint pain, joint swelling, or joint stiffness
• Examine joint damage when X-rays or MRIs aren’t clear
• Treat joint conditions that don’t respond to other treatments

Common Conditions Treated in the Hand or Wrist:

• Torn ligaments or cartilage
• Loose bone or cartilage fragments
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Joint lining inflammation (synovitis)
• Scar tissue within the joint
• Repetitive strain injuries

How the Procedure Works

1.    Preparation: You’ll change into a gown, and a sedative may be given through an IV to help you relax.

2.    Anesthesia: Depending on the case, you may receive:

• Local anesthesia to numb the hand only
• Regional anesthesia to numb from the arm down
• General anesthesia to sleep through the procedure

3.    During Surgery:

• A small incision is made near the joint.
• The arthroscope is inserted, sending real-time images to a monitor.
• Additional tiny incisions may be made to insert surgical instruments to:
  • Repair torn ligaments
  • Remove damaged tissue or bone fragments
  • Smooth rough cartilage

4.    Closing the Incisions:

• Small stitches or adhesive strips are used.
• The area is cleaned and bandaged.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

• Minimally invasive – smaller incisions, less scarring
• Faster recovery – many patients return to light activities within days
• More precise – improves diagnosis and treatment accuracy
• Lower risk – reduced chance of infection and complications compared to open surgery

Learn More

To learn more about what to expect before and after surgery, visit our Surgery Preparation & Recovery page.

Have questions or want to schedule a consultation? We’re here to help you get back to doing what you love—pain-free.