Arthroscopic surgery, or arthroscopy, is a procedure in which a surgeon makes a small incision and views images of the joint, usually to diagnose, monitor, treat, or repair an injury or disease. Orthopedists find arthroscopy valuable because it is easier on the patient's body and requires a shorter rehabilitation time than open surgery.

Fractures are not all the same, and neither are their treatments. A broken toe, for example, can be much simpler to treat than a compressed vertebrae or shattered leg. Sometimes, caring for a fracture requires more than a splint or cast. 

Quiz: If you’ve just hurt yourself — for example, sprained your ankle or tweaked your shoulder hitting a tennis serve  — do you ice the injury or apply heat to it?

Or how about chronic soreness or swelling from conditions like osteoarthritis or lower back pain? What’s more effective: heat or cold?

These are questions many people have, and a surprising number aren’t certain about the answer.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative condition affecting the joints. About 27 million people in the U.S. have some form of OA, which is a breakdown of joint cartilage that can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness. OA is a long-term, incurable disease; you can't reverse its effects, but you can learn strategies and options for managing your symptoms.