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Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to diagnose, treat, and eliminate knee pain. With the aid of a small camera and narrow surgical instruments, knee arthroscopy is a proven knee pain treatment that requires minimal downtime and offers exceptional results. Learn more about getting a knee arthroscopy at Harley Street Specialist Hospital below.
Consult with leading orthopaedic specialists
Same day imaging scans, diagnosis & treatment
Minimally invasive procedure designed to eliminate knee pain
Harley Street Specialist Hospital is a specialist orthopaedic clinic based in the heart of London. We work exclusively with talented consultants and skilled surgeons to provide exceptional healthcare for privately insured and self-paying patients.
Our surgeons regularly carry out knee arthroscopy and other knee cartilage surgery from our comfortable London hospital. We’re proud to offer some of the highest success rates and best patient reviews, while ensuring our patients aren’t signed up to lengthy waiting lists.
We’ll provide you with an individualised treatment plan based on your symptoms, including knee arthroscopy if this is the best course of action for you. For fast assessment and diagnosis of your knee condition, book an appointment with our orthopaedic team today.
Knee arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery used to diagnose and treat knee pain. Keyhole surgery involves making small incisions around the knee joint to insert a camera and thin surgical instruments to establish the cause of pain and remove or correct tissue damage.
Knee arthroscopy is often a day case procedure, meaning you won’t need to stay in hospital overnight. Here’s how knee arthroscopy surgery works:
1. Assessment and diagnosis — Your consultant team will conduct diagnostic imaging tests to confirm if knee arthroscopy is the right treatment for you.
2. General anaesthetic or spinal block — If knee arthroscopy is performed under general anaesthetic, you won’t be awake during the procedure. If a spinal block is used instead, you’ll be awake but won’t feel anything from the waist down.
3. Inserting the arthroscope — Your knee surgeon will make a small incision into your knee joint where they can insert a tiny camera known as an arthroscope.
4. Arthroscopic diagnosis — Using visuals from the camera, the surgeon will identify any problematic tissue, such as loose cartilage or damaged ligaments.
5. Arthroscopic treatmen — Depending on your diagnosis, the surgeon will use surgical instruments to extract any excess cartilage, remove scar tissue, or repair ligaments in your knee.
6. Recovery — After your knee arthroscopy surgery, you’ll be monitored in hospital for a few hours.
After a short monitoring period, you’ll be able to go home to recover from your knee surgery. You might need to use crutches for a few days while you get back on your feet.
If you still have questions about knee arthroscopy and how it can help, learn more about the process in these frequently asked questions.
A knee arthroscopy can treat many painful knee problems including:
If knee arthroscopy isn’t right for you, other types of knee surgery (such as a knee replacement) may be recommended.
While knee arthroscopy recovery is usually shorter than for other types of knee surgery, you’ll still need to take it easy for a few weeks. Most patients can resume light exercise around a month after the procedure and gradually build up their activity levels.
Compression stockings are used to reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs while you recover from surgery. You should wear them at all times for at least two weeks after your procedure (or longer if advised by your doctor).
We recommend that you take at least two weeks off work following a knee arthroscopy. This will give your knee the best chance of healing in the initial recovery phase.
You might need to take a longer break from work if your job involves a lot of standing, walking, or heavy lifting.
Most patients can drive one week after their knee arthroscopy procedure. However, this depends on any painkillers you’re still taking. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to drive again.
Knee arthroscopy costs £4,025 at Harley Street Specialist Hospital. Self-paying and privately insured patients are encouraged to book an appointment with our consultation team for an initial assessment and diagnosis.
Spread the cost of your medical treatment over several months with our finance options and medical payment plans. This is ideal for patients seeking the speed and comfort of private healthcare without significant upfront payments.
Use our self-payment options to get prompt care with the consultant of your choice. Patients looking for fast, efficient treatment without private health insurance are welcome to pay for treatment before their procedure.
We welcome patients with private medical insurance from approved insurers, including Bupa, AXA, Aviva, and many more. Find out how to claim for your treatment with private health insurance to get optimum care and comfort.
Find out more about keyhole surgery for knee pain below.
The procedure itself shouldn’t be painful at all, as you’ll be given an anaesthetic or spinal block that prevents you from feeling anything during surgery.
When the anaesthetic wears off, you will feel some discomfort in your knee. This can normally be managed with pain medication prescribed by your doctor, or over-the-counter painkillers if preferred.
Knee arthroscopy is a successful procedure for many minor knee injuries. However, one study found that this type of surgery offers similar benefits to non-surgical knee pain treatments like physiotherapy. Despite this, 40% of the physiotherapy patients opted for knee arthroscopy after a few weeks due to a lack of improvement.
The benefits and risks differ for each patient, so it’s best to have an in-depth conversation with a consultant about whether keyhole surgery is the right option for you.
Many patients can walk very soon after their knee arthroscopy with the aid of crutches. Regular supportive physiotherapy will help you become more mobile more quickly.
You’ll probably be encouraged to bend and flex your knee as soon as you feel able to after your surgery. Regular gentle flexion will help build strength in your knee joint and support muscles.
Knee arthroscopy is generally considered a low-risk operation, especially compared with open knee surgery or knee replacement. Some possible complications include a small risk of infection, nerve damage, and blood clots. But with the right care and advice, most patients avoid these altogether.
Our experienced knee surgeons carry out hundreds of knee arthroscopies each year, so you’re in excellent hands when you choose Harley Street Specialist Hospital for your knee pain treatment. With no waiting lists and a comfortable central London location, you’ll get fast, convenient care.
If you’re considering a knee arthroscopy to tackle your knee pain, book an appointment with our consultants at a time that suits you.
