Arthroscopy (Key Hole Surgery)

 

WHAT IS KNEE ARTHROSCOPY?

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Knee arthroscopy (also called keyhole knee surgery) allows your surgeon to see inside your knee joint using a camera inserted through small cuts in the skin. 

Your Nuffield Health surgeon can diagnose problems such as a torn cartilage, ligament damage and arthritis by carrying out knee arthroscopy surgery.

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INDICATIONS FOR KNEE ARTHROSCOPY

The knee joint is vulnerable to a variety of injuries. The most common knee problems where knee arthroscopy may be recommended for diagnosis and treatment are:

• Torn meniscus

• Torn or damaged cruciate ligament 

• Torn pieces of articular cartilage

• Inflamed synovial tissue

• Misalignment of the patella

• Baker’s cyst: a fluid-filled cyst that develops at the back of the knee due to the accumulation of synovial fluid. It commonly occurs with knee conditions such as meniscal tear, knee arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

• Certain fractures of the knee bones

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WHAT HAPPENS DURING KNEE ARTHROSCOPY?

• Knee arthroscopy is usually done under general anaesthetic

• The operation usually takes between half an hour and three-quarters of an hour

• Your surgeon will make 2 or 3 small incisions and insert a tiny camera to examine the inside of your knee

• They will wash out any loose material caused by wear of the joint surfaces

• It is usually possible for your surgeon to trim or repair a torn cartilage without needing to make a larger cut.

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HOW SOON WILL I RECOVER FROM KNEE ARTHROSCOPY?

• Depending on the level of repair done the arthroscopy procedure causes very little tissue damage

• Most patients recovery fairly quickly

• Your knee will be swollen and sore for the first week following your arthroscopy

• Most patients return to normal activity levels within 2 - 3 weeks

• Be sure and discuss any concerns regarding your recovery with your orthopaedic surgeon.

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RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Knee arthroscopy is a safe procedure; complications are very rare however all surgery includes risks such as:

• Pain

• Bleeding

• Infection of the surgical site (incision)

• Scarring

• Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)

• Difficulty passing urine.

Specific complications of knee arthroscopy might include:

• Damage to the nerves around the knee

• Developing a lump under the wounds

• Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of the knee.