Arthroscopic powered instruments: a review of shavers and burrs

There has been rapid development in the field of arthroscopic surgery in the last decade. Hand in hand with this the instrumentation has also become more specific and sophisticated. Powered arthroscopic instruments such as shavers and burrs are commonly used in all forms of arthroscopy and a large range is now available to the orthopaedic surgeon. This large array can cause confusion, especially since many have very specific intended functions. This article reviews the types of blades and burrs available and the principles underlying the mechanism of how they work. A better understanding of the subject should hopefully make the surgery easier and also minimize the potential damage these instruments can cause.