Hand Held Manual Instruments

As in open surgeries, arthroscopy also finds use of scissors, graspers and punches in surgeries. It should be noted that though they have the same names and functions as their open surgery counterparts, the design of arthroscopy manual instruments is different as it has to provide for the needed levels of strength in extremely thin (around 2-3mm diameter) instruments at the same time maintaining the precision and sharpness to avoid resection of healthy tissue and ensuring minimum surgeon discomfort. Other features that contribute to making a good hand held instrument are maneuverability and safety. Maneuverability is desired to negotiate in the tight spaces of joints like knee and safety is essential to take maximum care of the patient.

The manual instruments typically have three distinct parts, viz.

1. Tip or the Jaws
2. Shaft
3. Handle

The jaws perform the actual function of cutting, punching or grasping, shaft is the connecting body that also transmits the force to perform the desired function while handle is the part that allows the surgeon to hold the instrument and initiate the function of the instrument.