Knee arthroscopy is keyhole surgery where a camera is inserted into the knee through two or three puncture wounds. It allows the surgeon to look at the joint surfaces, cartilage and the main ligaments of the knee.
The procedure is usually performed at Chapel Allerton Hospital and carried out under a general anaesthetic as a day case procedure. This means you will be allowed home later the same day once you have recovered from the anaesthetic.
After surgery
A return to full activities generally takes between 2 to 6 weeks. This depends upon the type of treatment performed and the extent of damage in the knee. You should be able to return to office type work within 2 to 5 days and physical work within 2 to 3 weeks. You should be able to drive within a week. You should however be able to perform an emergency stop without discomfort or hesitation before starting to drive again.
Depending on the level of swelling and comfort you can start light training 3 weeks after your procedure and gradually progress to higher impact activities around 5 to 6 weeks. However it’s important to remember that rehabilitation rates vary from person to person.
If you have any concerns after your discharge home feel free to contact ward C3 for advice. The contact number can be found in our information leaflet ‘Knee Arthroscopy’.