Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that is used by orthopaedic surgeons to visualize, diagnose and treat problems inside a joint.

A latest study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Arthroscopic surgeryon the meniscus is the most widespread orthopedic practice that is performed in the United States.

As per the study, the surgery is performed approximately 700,000 times in one year at an estimated cost of $4 billion.

The study was conducted in Finland and is comprised of a small part of meniscal tears.

Nearly 80% of tears develop because of wear and aging factor. Some researchers thinkthat surgery in such cases should be considerably limited.

The patientswho participated in the Finnish study received anesthesia and incisions. Some of the patients received realsurgery, but others just received replicated ones. The patients did not know what type of surgery was performed on them. After a year, the patients in both groups said their knees felt better and also told to go with the same surgical procedure that was received by them earlier.

The study comprised of five hospitals and 146 patients who were belonging to an age group of 35 years to 65 years. The people were suffering with wear-induced tears and knee pain. Nearly, half of them had mechanical problems such as locking or clicking knees.

Dr. Frederick Azar, first vice president of the orthopedic surgeons' academy, says arthroscopy is a very helpful tool in carrying out such surgeries.