Office-Based Small Bore Needle Arthroscopy of the Knee

Abstract

Advanced imaging, such as MRI, can sometimes provide inconclusive results with knee pathology, leaving both patients and providers with a diagnostic challenge. In-office arthroscopy is a newer, low-risk, diagnostic procedure that allows the physician to use a small bore needle arthroscope to view the intra-articular anatomy of the joint. The patient and provider are provided with immediate results of the pathology found. This prevents having to undergo repeat imaging, which can be a costly, time-consuming, and inconclusive process. Ideal indications are patients who are claustrophobic, have previously undergone meniscal or chondral surgery, or whose MRI results are inconclusive. This chapter will review the background, indications, technique, and risks of this novel procedure.