Arthroscopy for Dogs: Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery

Many orthopedic surgeries involve entry into a joint space. Opening the joint capsule for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes can be performed in one of two ways- arthrotomy or arthroscopy.

Arthrotomy, also known as an open approach, is the traditional way to explore a joint by cutting through the fibrous capsule encompassing the joint to expose all structures for visualization by the naked eye and subsequent treatment if warranted.

At MVUCS, we prefer arthroscopy for many of our patients. It allows for minimally invasive approaches to the joint with specialized equipment through smaller incisions, leading to less discomfort and improved recovery.

As the current standard of care in humans, arthroscopic surgery begins by introducing a small scope instrument with associated video camera through small incisions to visualize joint structures on a magnified scale. After camera-assisted visualization, an additional small incision can be made for small instruments to surgically address damaged tissues, such as ligaments or menisci, in a more precise fashion.