90 Uralba St, Lismore NSW

Knee Arthroscopy

A Knee Arthroscopy may be considered as a surgical treatment option for those patients experiencing knee pain and/or mechanical symptoms such as clicking or locking of the knee.  Patients may require a knee arthroscopy following a diagnosis of a meniscal tear, loose bodies within the joint, cartilage that is worn and frayed, or to investigate unexplained knee pain.  The surgeon may diagnose these conditions following the examination of the knee with or without an MRI scan of the knee joint.

A knee arthroscopy is a form of ‘key hole’ surgery and requires the surgeon to make small incisions on either side of the knee.  The surgeon inserts a small, specialised camera into one side of the knee and specialized tools through the incision on the other side of the knee.  The camera enables the surgeon to look at the knee joint to confirm the diagnosis and the specialized tools allow the surgeon to address the damage in the joint, for example to trim or repair a torn meniscus, remove loose bodies in the joint or trim any frayed or torn cartilage. 

The aim of a knee arthroscopy is to minimise mechanical symptoms such as locking or catching as much as possible and reduce knee pain. 

The decision to proceed to surgery should be a collaborative one between you and your surgeon.  Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery that will allow the patient to make an informed decision regarding proceeding to a knee arthroscopy.

Frequently Asked Questions