arthroscopy

noun ar·thros·co·py \ är-ˈthräs-kə-pē \

Updated on: 21 Mar 2018

Definition of arthroscopy

: a minimally invasive surgical procedure involving visual examination of the interior of a joint with an arthroscope to diagnose or treat various conditions or injuries of a joint and especially to repair or remove damaged or diseased tissue or bone

In arthroscopy, two small incisions are made, one for the scope and one for instruments, causing less damage to connective tissue.
—Janic Lloyd

Recent Examples of arthroscopy from the Web

Serrato received advanced training in knee and shoulder reconstruction, arthroscopy and sports medicine at Cincinnati Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center.

— jennifer james, Houston Chronicle, "Community briefs: Brookwood Elementary marks 25 year," 11 Mar. 2018
His practice includes ankle arthroscopy, fractures, Achilles tendon disorders, total ankle replacement and forefoot reconstruction.

— orthocincy, Cincinnati.com, "Foot and Ankle Surgery and Sports Medicine: Dr. Nicholas T. Gates," 15 Jan. 2018
Things to search for: vaginal delivery, C-section, tympanostomy (ear tubes), bunion, MRI, X-ray, colonoscopy, CAT scan, ultrasound, cataract removal, arthroscopy, endoscopy, blood transfusion, hernia repair.

— jeanne pinder, Philly.com, "What's in our database? Prices, prices and more prices," 20 Feb. 2018
The Frenchman had an arthroscopy on his left knee in London on Tuesday morning following Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Tottenham.

— SI.com, "Arsenal Striker Alexandre Lacazette to Miss Up to Six Weeks With Knee Injury," 13 Feb. 2018
There are 17 procedures covered, including hip replacement, shoulder arthroscopy, knee replacement and bariatric surgery.

— laurel andrews, Alaska Dispatch News, "Alaskans seek relief from high health care costs with medical tourism," 8 Nov. 2015
The truth is our knowledge of head injury today is like that of knee injuries in the pre-MRI and arthroscopy era.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Plea for timely truth about football's link to brain disease," 27 July 2017
The results of knee and hip replacement surgery reference pricing were striking, as were those for cataract removal, arthroscopy and colonoscopy.

— austin frakt, New York Times, "How Common Procedures Became 20 Percent Cheaper for Many Californians," 8 Aug. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arthroscopy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of arthroscopy

1925

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

arthroscopy

noun ar·thros·co·py \ är-ˈthräs-kə-pē \

medical Definition of arthroscopy

plural arthroscopies

… an alternative to replacement—in cases of athletic injury—may be arthroscopy, which allows surgeons to operate on the joint by means of a tiny camera and instruments inserted through small incisions.
—Kenneth B. Chiacchia, Harvard Medical Health Letter, September 1992

In most cases, if surgery is required, it means arthroscopy, which is the use of a scope and a mini-camera to look inside the knee.
—Paul Collins, The Idaho Statesman (Boise), 8 July 2003

During arthroscopy, irregular areas are shaved and torn labra are repaired.
—Janice Lloyd, USA Today, 20 July 2009

—

arthroscopic

play \ˌär-thrə-ˈskäp-ik\ adjective

- arthroscopic surgery
- Arthroscopic treatment of degenerative arthritis can be successful in the early stages by removal of loose bodies and osteophytes from the olecranon and coronoid processes, as well as from their respective fossae.
- —The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 1 Mar. 1999
- Today the arsenal of arthroscopic instruments is varied and sophisticated. A surgeon can study the entire interior of the joint by penetrating the knee from several different locations and using scopes with angled optics.
- —Arnold Schechter, Sports Illustrated, 25 Oct. 1982

—

arthroscopically

adverb

- His right knee was also examined arthroscopically for torn cartilage but no damage was found.
- —Denise Tom Brown, USA Today, 17 Oct. 1986

Learn More about arthroscopy

See words that rhyme with arthroscopy

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up arthroscopy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

arthroscopy

Definition of arthroscopy

Recent Examples of arthroscopy from the Web

First Known Use of arthroscopy

Medical Dictionary

arthroscopy

medical Definition of arthroscopy

arthroscopic

arthroscopically

Learn More about arthroscopy

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

arthroscopy

Definition of arthroscopy

Recent Examples of arthroscopy from the Web

First Known Use of arthroscopy

Medical Dictionary

arthroscopy

medical Definition of arthroscopy

arthroscopic

arthroscopically

Learn More about arthroscopy

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes