Arthroscopy has revolutionized orthopedic surgery by allowing minimally invasive examination, diagnosis, and treatment of joint conditions. Through small incisions, surgeons can inspect, repair, or remove damaged tissue inside joints with the help of specialized instruments. Regardless of whether it is the knee, shoulder, hip, or wrist, precision tools, patient safety, and successful results are required.

If you’re developing or updating an arthroscopy set, you want to invest in tools specifically geared toward these types of procedures. Here in this blog, we’re going to discuss the top 10 important instruments to have in an arthroscopy set and include a checklist-like guide on what each tool does and why you need it.

✅ Arthroscopy Set Instrument Checklist

1️⃣ Arthroscope

What it is: So, an arthroscope is basically the main instrument that they use to examine things with in arthroscopy. It’s that skinny tube with a very good camera and a light source within.

Why it is important: It enables surgeons to see clearly inside the joint on the screen, with precise visualization without a large open cut.

Key features:

• Come in different diameters (typically 1.9 mm, 2.7 mm, and 4 mm).
• 30°, 70°, or 0° view angles for different views.
• Fiber-optic or digital image transfer.

2️⃣ Trocar and cannula set-up

What it is: So, it’s essentially a trocar with a pointed tip that resides within an empty cannula. The trocar is passed through the tissue and the skin, and the cannula is left as an operating portal.

Why it matters: It provides a safe means for the instruments and the arthroscope to enter the joint without damaging anything surrounding it.

Key features:

• Blunt or sharp trocars, depending on procedure type.
• Sealing equipment to prevent leakage of fluids.
• Color-coded sizes for quick identification.

3️⃣ Arthroscopic Probe

What it is: A Fine hook-like instrument employed in palpation, measurement, and intra-articular structures’ integrity testing within the procedure.

Why it’s needed: Allows surgeon to test cartilage lesion, ligament tear, and other intra-articular structures’ integrity through touch.

Key features:

• Shaft graduated to measure depth.
• Comes in different tip angles and configurations (straight, 90°, curve).
• Lightweight, balanced for control of accuracy.

4️⃣ Graspers (Straight and Curved)

What it is: These instruments possess jawed tips that are meant to grasp, hold, or retrieve foreign bodies, tissues, or loose bodies within the joint.

Why it’s essential: Necessary for fragment manipulation and removal, sutures, or tissue removal in arthroscopic procedures.

Key features:

• Ratcheted or non-ratcheted handles for controlled grip.
• Comes in straight, angled, and curved jaws.
• Single-action or double-action jaws based on application.

5️⃣ Arthroscopic Punches

Description: Thin-cutting scissor action devices for meniscus cutting or resecting, soft tissue resection, or ligament cutting.

Why it is needed: In order to provide clean, controlled cutting in restricted joint space.

Features:

• Straight, up-biting, down-biting, and side-biting jaw arrangements.
• Ergonomic, spring-returning handles to permit single-hand facility of use.
• Collapsing shaft diameters and lengths to allow versatility.

6️⃣ Curettes

What it is: Ring-shaped or spoon-shaped instruments with sharp edges used to scrape, debride, or excise diseased cartilage or bone.

Why it’s important: Very critical for joint surface cleaning and soft tissue residue or degenerated cartilage removal.

Key characteristics:

• Straight or curved profiles.
• Different cup sizes and angles.
• Sharp-edged to effectively debride.

7️⃣ Shaver System

What it is: An Electric, rotary, or oscillating instrument featuring a disposable or removable cutting blade on a motor-driven handpiece.

Why it’s so significant: Effectively excises soft tissue, cartilage, and bone while aspirating at the same time debris from the joint.

Key features:

• Types of blades that can be interchanged (aggressive, smooth, burrs).
• Control of suction and speed that can be adjusted.
• Variable with varying blade diameters (typically 3 mm to 5.5 mm).
• Complimentary with varying blade diameters (typically 3 mm to 5.5 mm).

8️⃣ Arthroscopic Scissors

What it is: Thin, slender cutting instruments with fine blades employed in the removal of soft tissues inside the joint.

Why it’s needed: Enables surgeons to precisely cut through tissues like ligaments, tendons, and sutures in confined spaces.

Key features:

• Straight and curved blade configurations.
• Fine control ergonomic grips.

9️⃣ Cannulated Drill and Guide Wire System

What it is: A precise guide wire and cannulated (hollow) drill system utilized to form accurate bone tunnels or anchor holes in reconstructive surgery.

Why it’s needed: Utilized in ACL reconstructions, meniscus root repair, and anchor placement without the requirement of large incisions.

Key features:

• Guide wires in various sizes.
• Quick-connect drill bits of various sizes.
• Depth stops and sleeves for safe, controlled drilling.
• Sparkly, hard blades for accurate cuts.
• Depth stops and sleeves for safe, controlled drilling.
• Sparkly, hard blades for precise cuts.

🔟 Fluid Management System

What it is: A Pump or gravity system controlling the inflow and outflow of sterile lactated Ringer’s solution or saline into the joint space.

Why it’s important: Allows unimpeded visualization by distension of the joint, evacuation of debris, and control of bleeding.

Key features:

• Pressure and flow rate controls that are adjustable.
• Suction-irrigation handpieces.
• Anti-backflow valves to prevent contamination.

Bonus Instruments to Have

Though the above ten are definite must-haves, the following are some additional tools commonly part of advanced arthroscopy collections:

• Knot Pushers: For tightening intra-articular sutures in repair surgeries.
• Suture Cutters: Especially dedicated to cutting sutures within the joint.
• Retractors: Although less typical in strictly arthroscopic surgeries, minor retractors may be helpful in some hybrid operations.
• Radiofrequency Ablation Probes: For coagulation, contouring, and hemostasis of tissues.
  

Conclusion

Arthroscopy sets are carefully chosen sets of instruments of precision designed to perform minimally invasive joint procedures safely and effectively. Each has a specific, non-substitutable function — from initial entry with trocars to final suture cutting and irrigation.

During the assembly or installation of an arthroscopy kit, there should be a procurement of high-quality, durable, and ergonomic instruments. Apart from maximizing the efficacy of surgery, it also improves the outcome for the patient by reducing operation time, minimizing complications, and promoting speedy recovery.

Here at Hasni Surgical, we are delighted to manufacture uniform, precision arthroscopy instruments that are trusted by orthopedic professionals across the world. Should you be looking to develop a complete premium arthroscopy set, we would be delighted to assist you with expert advice and customized substitutes.