Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed with a surgical device called an arthroscope (camera), which is approximately the size of a pencil. This procedure is the most commonly performed surgery in orthopaedics, and is the most frequently used to treat shoulder, knee and hip joints. Your surgeon is available to view the inside of the joint on a video monitor where he/she can inspect, remove, repair, or reconstruct damaged parts of a joint through several small incisions of approximately one-half inch. Arthroscopic procedures are most often performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day.