Arthroscopy refers to a technique whereby a small camera is inserted into the knee under spinal or general anaesthetic, and the inside of the knee assessed and treated appropriately
The commonest reason for arthroscopy is tearing of the meniscus (a half-moon shaped shock absorbing disc) in the knee which can either be torn by an acute injury, or can start to develop fraying and splitting as patients get into their forties and beyond.
Arthroscopy, generally speaking, is a day case procedure. The portals (small holes used to put the camera and instruments in the knee) in my practice are usually not stitched as they are made horizontally and heal very well. They require a dressing initially for two days, and thereafter a change of dressing for a further five days and thereafter no dressing at all.
Physiotherapy can commence depending on the actual procedure performed at the arthroscopy within the first week post-operatively and patients generally return to normal activity around four weeks later with a clinic review around six to eight weeks later.
