Knee Arthroscopy

A knee arthroscopy is a keyhole operation on the knee. The procedure involves usually two but occasionally more small incisions (approximately one centimetre), being made in the knee. Through these incisions specialised instruments are placed to perform surgery inside the knee.

A camera attached to a video monitor is used to see inside the knee and various other instruments are used to perform the required surgery.

Common procedures performed during arthroscopy

• Meniscal cartilage resection
• Meniscal cartilage repair
• Removal of loose bodies
• Smoothing of articular cartilage damage
• ACL reconstruction is mostly an arthroscopic procedure

More information on meniscal cartilage resection and meniscal cartilage repair can be found in the procedures area of this website.

What is involved in Knee Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy of the knee is usually performed as a day surgery procedure. Most patients go home the day of the operation.

Usually patients will be able to walk immediately after the procedure, although some may wish to use crutches for pain management.

Patients, usually recover quickly from knee arthroscopy. Most patients will return to normal function in about two weeks. That does depend however on what activity is being performed. Patients requiring heavy use of the knee or athletic activity may take significantly longer to return to normal.

This is however general information, all patients are individuals and the post operative course will depend on the findings in the knee, the actual surgery performed and patient factors.

More specific post operative information and instructions for patients who have had a knee arthroscopy can be found in the post operative instructions area of this website.

The gallery below has photographs taken of arthroscopy of the knee. Normal articular and meniscal cartilages are shown in the first image. The following images show conditions commonly treated during an arthroscopy.

Normal Meniscus & Articular Cartilage

Articular Cartilage Flap 1

Articular Cartilage Flap 2

Degenerative Meniscal Tear

Gouty Meniscus

Large Loose Body

Loose Bodies

Meniscal Cartilage Flap Tear

Meniscal Cartilage Flap Tear

Radial Tear Meniscal Cartilage

On the page Patient Info, there are Instructions for Patients who have just had a knee arthroscopy and a sheet of exercises to perform in the first 2 weeks after knee arthroscopy.