Keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery to diagnose and repair joint injuries such as torn knee ligaments (ACL) and meniscus tears, with small cuts and quicker recovery.
Overview
Arthroscopy is keyhole surgery in which a small camera (arthroscope) is put into a joint through tiny cuts. The surgeon sees the inside of the joint on a screen and repairs damaged tissue with fine instruments.
Our orthopaedic team uses arthroscopy mainly for knee and shoulder problems, including reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a common sports injury. In ACL reconstruction, the torn ligament is replaced with a graft, usually taken from your own hamstring or patellar tendon.
Who needs this treatment?
- Knee giving way or feeling unstable after a twisting injury
- ACL or other ligament tears confirmed on examination or MRI
- Meniscus (cartilage) tears causing pain, locking or swelling
- Shoulder problems such as recurrent dislocation or rotator cuff tears
- Persistent joint pain where the cause is not clear from scans
Benefits
- Small cuts, less pain and less scarring than open surgery
- Usually a short hospital stay
- Faster start to rehabilitation
- Restores joint stability so you can return to sport and work
How it is done
Before the procedure
An MRI is usually done to confirm the injury. Pre-surgery physiotherapy to reduce swelling and regain movement often leads to a better result.
During the procedure
Under spinal or general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes two or three small cuts around the joint, inspects it with the camera and repairs or reconstructs the damaged structures.
After the procedure
You can usually go home within one or two days. A knee brace and crutches may be advised for a few weeks.
Recovery and aftercare
Simple arthroscopic procedures may need a few weeks of recovery. After ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation is longer and a return to sport usually takes several months.
- Follow the physiotherapy programme stage by stage; it is essential for a stable knee
- Use ice and keep the leg raised to reduce swelling in the first days
- Do not return to sport until your surgeon and physiotherapist clear you
Frequently asked questions
Not always. Less active people or those with partial tears may do well with physiotherapy alone. Young, active people and those whose knee keeps giving way usually benefit from reconstruction.
No. Arthroscopy uses cuts of about one centimetre. ACL reconstruction needs one slightly longer cut to take the graft.
This page gives general information. Whether a treatment is right for you, and what it involves, depends on your condition; your doctor will explain the options after examining you.