Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery for knee and shoulder problems. Arthroscopy allows your doctor to see inside your knee or shoulder using a very small instrument called an arthroscope, a small tube with a video camera and lights. It is inserted through a small incision in or near the joint. Your doctor can use it to view the joint, and sometimes even to complete minor procedures. At other times, an arthroscope is used in conjunction with other small instruments inserted through another nearby incision to complete a surgical procedure. Arthroscopy is considered minimally invasive because it requires only small incisions. This cuts down on infection risk and recovery time when compared to traditional surgery