Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses an arthroscope, which is inserted into the joint through small incisions. The surgeon can see the inside of your joint on a video monitor during the operation. This type of surgery does not require large incisions and typically has less pain after surgery than open surgery.
Open Surgery is when surgeons make larger cuts in your skin to operate on your joints. It may be necessary for some types of injuries or if there are other health problems like arthritis or diabetes present in addition to the injury.