Knee arthroscopy uses two small 5 mm incisions and a tiny camera to repair meniscus tears, remove loose fragments, or smooth damaged cartilage. Most patients walk the same day and return to work in 1–2 weeks.
What conditions does it treat?
Meniscus tears, ACL/PCL injuries, loose cartilage bodies, synovial inflammation, and early osteoarthritis cleanup are the most common indications.
It's also used diagnostically when MRI findings are inconclusive.
How is it performed?
Under spinal or short general anaesthesia, two pencil-thin incisions are made. A camera enters one portal and instruments through the other.
Damaged tissue is trimmed, repaired with sutures, or smoothed using radiofrequency probes.
Recovery
Patients walk within hours and go home the same day. Crutches are used for 2–5 days.
Office work resumes in a week, and sports in 4–8 weeks depending on the procedure.