Knee Arthroscopy (“Key-hole Surgery”)
A knee arthroscopy is an operation normally carried out under general anaesthetic. Small incisions are made in the knee to allow a telescope to be gently inserted to the knee to allow an assessment to be made.
The surgeon has the opportunity to assess a number of areas within the knee such as: the articular cartilage; the meniscal cartilages (“footballer’s” or “sportsman’s” cartilages); the cruciate ligaments, the knee cap (or patella); and the inner lining of the knee (synovium).
Small tools can be used within the knee to carry out a number of treatments.
The images below are of healthy meniscal cartilages being gently assessed for damage.
The picture shows a healthy-looking cartilage as the knee-cap (patella) rests on the cartilage below (trochlea of the femur).
A damaged anterior cruciate ligament being probed.
An anterior cruciate ligament that has stretched so much that it is no longer functional.
