What is it?

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used for the investigation and treatment of certain knee problems. It is a keyhole surgical procedure which uses thin, telescopic instruments which allows a faster recovery than traditional surgery.

Arthroscopy surgery can be used to diagnose and treat conditions such as:

• Knee ligament injuries
• Meniscus tears
• Cartilage injuries

Diagnosis and treatment options

Your consultant will take a detailed history of your symptoms and carry out a thorough examination of your knee. You might need some additional tests:

• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

During surgery your consultant will make two small (keyhole) cuts, one either side of your knee. This allows the consultant to both view the inside of the knee with the arthroscope (a tiny camera) and, if appropriate, treat the problem by placing small surgical instruments through the second keyhole.

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery and is routinely performed as a daycase procedure.