Private knee arthroscopy surgery

Need to know

• What happens during a knee arthroscopy? icon plus

  Your surgeon will make two to four very small cuts on your knee to insert the arthroscope and any surgical tools they might need to use. Next, they will inflate the joint with a sterile solution so they can see inside it more clearly.

  If they identify a problem, they may use specialised surgical instruments to trim or repair the damaged tissue as neccessary.

  When the operation has finished, the surgeon will close the small cuts on your knee with a few stitches or narrow adhesive strips.

  The whole procedure usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

• Is knee arthroscopy major surgery? icon plus

  Compared to major open surgeries, knee arthroscopy (also known as keyhole surgery) is a straightforward, minimally invasive procedure. The surgeon only needs to make very small incisions and the procedure doesn't damage the structures around the joint.

  While no surgery is completely risk-free, this does mean that the risks with knee arthroscopy are low. Occasionaly problems can occur, such as blood clotting, but these are rare. Your specialist will be able to discuss this further with you.

• Is knee arthroscopy painful? icon plus

  Knee arthroscopy can be carried out with a general anaesthetic, or under local anaesthetic with sedation. It’s your choice and, either way, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. You can talk to your surgeon about which is the best approach for you.

  A key benefit of knee arthroscopy is that you feel less pain after the procedure than with open surgery. As the procedure is minimally invasive, patients tend to recover quicker and feel relief from knee pain earlier.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Before you have the surgery, your consultant will explain the procedure to you, and take you through any possible risks and side effects. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have at this point.

  If you’ve decided on a general anaesthetic, your consultant will let you know how long you should avoid eating and drinking before the procedure.

• Can you walk right after arthroscopic knee surgery? icon plus

  The hospital staff will let you know what to expect and how to care for your knee while it heals. Your knee may feel swollen and tender for a few weeks.

  Your consultant may recommend some physiotherapy exercises to help improve your mobility as you recover. They'll also let you know if any further tests or procedures may be needed and when you can get back to your usual routine.

• Recovery from knee arthroscopy surgery icon plus

  After a knee arthroscopy, you’ll need to rest in the hospital to recover from the anaesthetic. Often, patients can return home the same day as the procedure.

  The procedure is a minimally invasive surgery, which leads to a much quicker recovery than open surgery. Most patients are fully recovered after four to six weeks. You may feel a small discomfort in your knee for about one to two weeks afterwards, and you might experience some swelling, which you can treat with ice packs.

  Your doctor will observe your progress and discuss the surgery and any relevant recovery information with you, including when you can get back to work and your usual routine. They can also give you advice on appropriate exercises for you following your surgery, such as whether weight-bearing exercises are safe for your recovery.