Knee Arthroscopy

Minimally invasive diagnoses and treatments

Keyhole knee surgery

Knee Arthroscopy, often referred to as keyhole knee surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for diagnosis and treatment of a number of knee conditions.

Using a small fibre optic camera inserted through a tiny incision, Mr Freedman is able to view the interior of the knee joint on a television screen and use specialised instruments to perform various treatments. These treatments can range from repairing torn cartilage, meniscal repair and reconstructing ligaments like the ACL. The procedure is typically quick, taking less than 30 minutes, and patients can usually return home the same day, making it a convenient option for addressing specific knee issues.

The advantages of knee arthroscopy includes less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and minimal scarring due to the small incisions used, which often don’t require sutures. Following the procedure, patients might use crutches for a short period, but mobility is generally restored quickly. While not suitable for treating extensive cartilage loss typical of advanced arthritis, arthroscopy is effective for specific conditions like meniscus tears, loose cartilage removal, and ligament reconstructions, offering a tailored treatment that aligns with the patient’s unique needs.

The benefits of knee arthroscopy

Our advanced, minimally invasive knee arthroscopy procedure has a range of benefits:

Rapid Recovery: Knee arthroscopy involves smaller incisions than traditional knee surgery, leading to faster healing and a quicker return to normal activities, often allowing patients to resume their daily routines shortly after the procedure.

Reduced Surgical Impact: With the use of tiny cameras and instruments, knee arthroscopy minimises the trauma to surrounding tissues, resulting in less postoperative pain and reduced reliance on pain medications during recovery.

Precise Visual Assessment: The camera used in knee arthroscopy provides real-time, high-definition images of the knee’s interior, offering Mr Freedman the ability to diagnose issues more accurately and tailor treatments specifically to each patient’s needs.

Case Examples

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Advanced diagnosis and treatment tools

Knee arthroscopy is an excellent tool for diagnosing and treating a range of conditions, with minimal incision required and rapid recovery time.

Frequently asked questions

What conditions can be treated with knee arthroscopy?

Knee Arthroscopy is particularly useful for treating soft tissue problems inside the knee – such as cartilage tears or tears of the meniscus, which is a c-shaped shock-absorbing disc that sits between the two main knee bones (femur and tibia). Knee arthroscopy is also very useful for repairing or reconstructing ligaments (such as the ACL) and can also be used to assist in fracture repairs and to remove loose or damaged cartilage or bone from inside the knee

Are patients with knee arthritis candidates for knee arthroscopy?

This depends on an individual patient’s symptoms. At present, knee arthroscopy cannot restore large areas where cartilage is lost and so is not the preferred treatment for chronic pain associated with arthritis. Such patients would be better served by having a total knee replacement. However, patients with arthritis occasionally develop mechanical pain due to having a free-floating loose piece of cartilage floating in and occasionally getting stuck inside the joint. In this situation, removing the “loose body” can improve symptoms. Therefore, in the context of arthritis, it is important to have a clear assessment as to the cause of symptoms and realistic expectations as to the purpose of the arthroscopy.

What are the risks of knee arthroscopy?

The complication rate from knee arthroscopy is extremely low. The procedure is quick, performed through very small incisions and is usually a procedure performed on relatively young patients with few medical problems. Knee arthroscopy is usually performed as “day surgery” with patients going home the same day and not required to stay overnight in hospital. Nevertheless, all surgical procedures carry some small risks. For knee arthroscopy, this includes small risk of blood clots, infection, or cartilage damage. Multiple precautions are taken to minimise the risks and will be discussed with you.