The procedure
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The knee joint is filled with sterile saline to expand the space, and a small camera (arthroscope) is introduced through one incision. Fine instruments work through one or two additional incisions. Most arthroscopies take under an hour.
Conditions treated
- Meniscal tears
- Articular cartilage damage
- Loose bodies inside the joint
- Scar tissue and synovitis
- Early arthritis with mechanical symptoms
- As part of ligament reconstruction (such as ACL surgery)
Cartilage in the knee
There are two types of cartilage in the knee. The menisci are tougher fibro-cartilage shock-absorbers between the femur and tibia. The articular cartilage is the smooth surface lining the ends of the bones. Different tears and defects need different treatments.
Common arthroscopic procedures
- Meniscectomy — trimming away an unstable portion of torn meniscus.
- Meniscal repair — suturing the meniscus back together.
- Chondroplasty — tidying up frayed articular cartilage.
- Microfracture — small holes drilled into the underlying bone to stimulate the formation of new cartilage.
Recovery
- Same-day discharge in almost all cases.
- Stitches removed at around 10 days.
- Driving usually possible at 1–2 weeks.
- Office work at 1–3 days, manual work longer.
- Swelling typically takes 6–8 weeks to settle fully.
Risks
Knee arthroscopy is generally a low-risk procedure. Specific risks include bleeding, infection, deep vein thrombosis, persistent swelling, residual symptoms requiring further treatment, and rare injury to nerves or blood vessels around the knee.