Arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery, meaning it is not as invasive as traditional “open” surgery. Arthroscopic meniscus repair is normally carried out under general anaesthetic, meaning you will not be conscious during the surgery, and an anaesthetist will talk with you about the anaesthetic they will be using for the procedure.

Once you have been given the general anaesthetic, the skin around your knee will be thoroughly cleaned using an antibacterial fluid. The surgeon will make a small incision in your knee and insert a thin metal tube (known as an arthroscope) through the cut into the knee joint. The arthroscope contains a light source and a camera or lens at one end, allowing the surgeon to see the inside of the joint clearly. Sterile saline solution will be flushed through your joint to help reduce any bleeding and allow better visibility of the menisci.

Using the arthroscope, the surgeon will carefully examine the damaged meniscus, as well as the entire knee joint. Small surgical instruments will be used to repair the damage in the meniscus where possible. If the damage is too extensive to allow a full repair, they may trim part of the meniscus as much as possible in order to help relieve your symptoms. 

The surgeon will then remove the arthroscope from the knee joint and close any cuts made during the surgery using stitches or special surgical tape. Your knee will then be covered with a sterile dressing to ensure it remains free of infection.

Following your surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room, where out theatre staff will monitor you carefully while you wake up from the anaesthetic. Once you have fully woken up and the theatre recovery room staff are happy with your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels, you will be taken back to your ward to rest.

Complications and Risks

Although it is known as keyhole surgery, it will take time to fully recover from your arthroscopic meniscal repair. While you are recovering, it is important to take things slowly in order to gain maximum benefit from the surgery.

All surgical procedures carry risks and the potential for complications. For arthroscopic meniscal repair these include:

• Infection in the knee joint,
• Damage to the nerves near the knee joint,
• Formation of a blood clot (known as a ‘deep vein thrombosis’ or ‘DVT’).

The above risks are intended as guidelines only and are not exhaustive. We always recommend that you talk with your consultant about potential risks and complications before you decide to have any surgery.

The consultant-led orthopaedic Knee Clinic at St Joseph’s has vast experience in carrying out arthroscopic meniscal repair. Should you be experiencing pain and/or stiffness in your knee joint, please contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our knee specialists. They will assess the cause of your pain and determine the best treatment option available for you.

Should arthroscopic meniscus repair be required, the expert team in our Knee Unit will make sure you receive the best treatment and post-operative support possible.