Knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a range of knee injuries. It is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that uses a tiny camera (an arthroscope) to see inside your knee joint.
What is knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a form of minor surgery for people who are experiencing knee problems. It is used to diagnose the reason for your symptoms and in many cases it can also be used to treat them. The procedure is generally used to:
- Diagnose injuries – the camera shows damage to soft tissues or bones within the knee joint and enables the clinician to make a diagnosis.
- Repair damaged soft tissues and bones – If damage to the soft tissues or bones is discovered, the clinician may make a second small incision above the knee joint and use tiny surgical tools to repair the damage using stitches or sutures.
- Remove damaged or inflamed tissue – Sometimes the arthroscope might show up damaged bone and cartilage that cannot be repaired or inflamed tissue (such as the synovium). Tiny surgical tools can be used to remove this damaged or inflamed tissue.
Is knee arthroscopy keyhole surgery?
Yes, knee arthroscopy is a form of keyhole surgery, so-called because the cuts made are very small – around the size of a keyhole. It is also referred to as ‘minimally-invasive’ surgery which means that, unlike conventional ‘open’ surgery, it doesn’t require the clinician to make large incisions to be able to see inside the joint. There are a number of benefits to having arthroscopic surgery, which are outlined below.
What are the benefits of knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is an effective way of diagnosing and treating common knee injuries. Because it uses very small incisions, recovery time is generally less than with conventional open surgery and pain levels tend to be lower. This means you’re normally able to get back to your everyday life sooner and there is also a smaller chance of complications.
What is knee arthroscopy used for?
Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat damage or disease affecting the knee joint. You may be offered knee arthroscopy if you have knee pain that hasn’t got better with non-surgical treatments (such as physiotherapy, rest or anti-inflammatory medication). Conditions that might require knee arthroscopy include:
- Soft tissue injuries affecting the ligaments (which connect bones to bones) or tendons (which connect muscles to bones). Athletes are particularly prone to such injuries, which might include anterior cruciate ligament tears, medial collateral ligament tears, a torn meniscus or patellar tendonitis.
- Fractures, which may also lead to cartilage damage.
- Synovitis which is inflammation of the soft tissue inside the joint (called the synovium).
What happens during knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is normally performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you shouldn’t have to stay in hospital overnight but can normally go home once you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You will need to stop eating and drinking before your surgery and you may also need to stop taking certain types of medication – this will be explained to you by the clinical team before you come for your appointment.
Just prior to the procedure, you will be given anaesthetic, which means you won’t feel anything during the arthroscopy. Your leg will be secured in a stabilising device to hold it steady during the procedure and, once the knee is numb, the clinician will make a small incision above your joint. They will insert a thin, flexible tool with a tiny camera at one end (the arthroscope). This transmits images from the inside of your joint onto a computer screen, enabling the clinician to see what is going on inside the joint. By moving the arthroscope gently, they can see the entire knee joint. If treatment is needed, they make another small cut through which tiny surgical tools are inserted. These are used to repair or remove damaged tissue. After the procedure, any incisions will be closed with stitches or dressings. Once the clinical team is confident that you have recovered from the anaesthetic and are ready to go home, you will be able to leave the clinic, but you should not drive yourself home.
After surgery there may be some mild discomfort. You should avoid putting weight on the affected knee for a few days and may need to use crutches or a walker to get around. Keep the leg elevated to reduce swelling and take painkillers to relieve pain and discomfort. Incisions will be covered with a dressing and will need to be kept clean and dry until you are advised by the clinical team that it is safe to shower or bathe. You will normally need to follow a programme of exercise recommended by a physiotherapist to strengthen the muscles around your knee and restore flexibility.
Are there risks associated with knee arthroscopy?
All surgery carries a small risk, however, complications from knee arthroscopy are rare. In some instances, you may experience bleeding or swelling around the incision site. There is also a small chance of infection, blood clots or knee stiffness. Your clinical team will discuss the risks with you prior to the procedure.
Finding out more
Contact us if you would like more information about knee arthroscopy, including what to expect.
