Arthroscopy in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is an operation in which the surgeon inserts a camera about the width of a pencil into a joint through a small incision and views the inside of the joint on a screen. Fine instruments pass through one or two more small incisions to trim, repair or remove damaged tissue. The joint is filled with sterile fluid during the procedure, which opens up the space and gives the surgeon a clear view.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, arthroscopy is performed by the orthopedic surgical team, most often on the knee and shoulder. Because the incisions are small, many patients go home the same day.
Who needs it
Arthroscopy suits problems that have a mechanical cause inside the joint and a clear structure to repair or remove. In the knee, common reasons are a torn meniscus that catches, locks or gives way, a loose fragment of cartilage or bone floating in the joint, and ligament reconstruction after a cruciate ligament tear. In the shoulder, arthroscopy is used to repair a torn rotator cuff tendon, to stabilise a shoulder that keeps dislocating, and to free up space for a tendon that is being pinched.
The decision rests on the pattern of symptoms as much as on the scan. Symptoms such as the knee locking in one position, or a shoulder slipping out of joint, point towards a mechanical problem that surgery can address. Where pain comes from wear across the whole joint, other treatments usually serve you better, and your surgeon explains the options. The general assessment of joint pain is covered on the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine page.
What happens
Knee arthroscopy is usually done under a general or spinal anaesthetic, and shoulder arthroscopy under a general anaesthetic, often with a nerve block that keeps the shoulder numb for some hours afterwards. The anaesthetist discusses the choice with you beforehand.
The surgeon makes two or three small incisions, each around a centimetre long, inserts the camera, and works through the joint in a set order, checking each structure. Depending on the findings, a torn meniscus may be trimmed or stitched, a loose body removed, or a tendon reattached to bone with small anchors. The incisions are closed with a stitch or adhesive strips and covered with a dressing, and the knee or shoulder is wrapped or placed in a sling.
Afterwards you recover from the anaesthetic, the team checks your circulation and comfort, and a physiotherapist or nurse shows you how to use crutches or the sling. Your surgeon explains what was found and what was done, often with pictures taken during the procedure.
Preparing for it
A pre-operative check reviews your health and medicines, and blood thinners in particular need a clear plan. Follow the fasting instructions you are given for the anaesthetic. Wear loose clothing that fits over a bulky knee dressing, or a button-front top that is easy to put on with a sling.
For knee arthroscopy, it helps to practise walking with crutches beforehand and to arrange a lift home, since you will be unfit to drive on the day. For shoulder surgery, set up your home so everyday items are within easy reach of your other arm, and plan for help with dressing and meals in the first days.
Afterwards
Some swelling, stiffness and discomfort around the joint are normal after arthroscopy, and ice, elevation and pain relief help. The small wounds are kept clean and dry until they heal. Rehabilitation exercises start early and matter as much as the surgery itself: after a simple meniscus trim, recovery is usually quick, while a meniscus repair, a rotator cuff repair or a stabilisation needs a protected period and a longer, structured programme. Your surgeon gives you a timeline for your case.
Contact the hospital if a wound becomes red, hot or starts to leak, if you develop a fever, or if the joint becomes much more swollen and painful. Go to the emergency department straight away if you develop pain and swelling in the calf, chest pain or sudden breathlessness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
Cost and insurance
Arthroscopy usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, and the request normally includes the scan findings and your symptoms. Many policies cover arthroscopy when it treats a clear mechanical problem such as a meniscus tear or tendon tear; implants such as tendon anchors may be assessed separately. Starting approval early avoids delays, and Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Can arthroscopy help knee arthritis?
Arthroscopy is generally not recommended for wear-and-tear arthritis of the knee on its own, because washing out or trimming a worn joint does not provide lasting relief. It is used when there is a specific mechanical problem, such as a torn meniscus that locks the knee or a loose fragment. Your surgeon explains the options that suit arthritis, which include exercise, weight management, injections and, when needed, joint replacement.
What are the risks of arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy has a low risk profile compared with open surgery, but it can still cause infection, bleeding into the joint, blood clots, stiffness and a reaction to the anaesthetic. Rarely, nerves or blood vessels near the joint are injured. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to your operation before you decide.
Is arthroscopy done as day surgery?
Many knee and shoulder arthroscopies are day cases, meaning you go home the same day. Larger repairs, or health conditions that need closer monitoring, may require an overnight stay, and your team tells you what to expect.
Will I need physiotherapy after arthroscopy?
Most people need a course of rehabilitation exercises after arthroscopy, and the programme depends on what was done. A simple trim needs a shorter programme than a repair of a meniscus, tendon or ligament, which must be protected while it heals.
Can a torn meniscus heal without surgery?
Some meniscus tears settle with time and exercise, particularly small or wear-related tears, while tears that cause the knee to lock or give way often need arthroscopy. Your surgeon considers your symptoms, age and scan to recommend the right approach.
How big are the scars after arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy leaves two or three small scars, each usually around a centimetre long, which fade over the following months. Scarring varies between people and skin types.
Is arthroscopy covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover arthroscopy when it treats a clear mechanical problem, but it usually needs pre-approval with your scan and symptoms, and implants such as anchors may be assessed separately. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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