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Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a surgeon inserts a small camera (arthroscope) into the knee joint through a 1 cm incision and performs repairs through one or two additional small portals. It is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee problems: torn meniscus, damaged cartilage, loose bone fragments, inflamed synovial tissue, and ligament injuries. Over a million knee arthroscopy procedures are performed each year in the US. Most are done as outpatient surgery and take under an hour.

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Knee Arthroscopy surgery - orthopaedic procedure overview and what to expect

Who Needs Knee Arthroscopy?

Patients whose knee symptoms — pain, locking, catching, swelling that doesn't resolve — have not improved with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. MRI findings that correlate with symptoms (a meniscus tear causing mechanical locking, for example) are typically required before surgery is recommended. Arthroscopy is appropriate for patients of all ages, from young athletes with sports injuries to older adults with degenerative meniscus tears.

What to Expect

1
Outpatient surgery; most patients go home the same day
2
General or spinal anesthesia, plus a local nerve block to reduce post-operative pain
3
Surgery takes 30-60 minutes depending on what is found and repaired
4
The surgeon inflates the knee with saline to create working space, then repairs the damaged tissue with small instruments passed through the portals
5
Common repairs: partial meniscectomy (removing torn tissue), meniscus repair (suturing the tear), chondroplasty (smoothing damaged cartilage), removal of loose bodies
6
After surgery the knee is wrapped; crutches are provided if weight-bearing is restricted

Recovery Timeline

Days 1-3

Ice and elevation. Keep the dressing dry. Weight-bearing depends on what was repaired — meniscectomy patients often walk the same day; meniscus repair patients use crutches for 4-6 weeks.

Weeks 1-2

Wound check and suture removal at 10-14 days. Begin gentle range-of-motion and quadriceps exercises. Swelling is expected.

Weeks 2-6

Progressive physical therapy. Stationary bike and straight-leg raises. Meniscectomy patients often return to light activity by week 4.

Months 2-3

Return to running and sport-specific drills (for meniscectomy). Meniscus repair patients continue protected weight-bearing until tissue heals.

Months 4-6

Return to full sport for most procedures. Meniscus repair requires 4-6 months before contact sport. Swelling can linger for several months.

Risks & Complications

  • Infection (less than 1%)
  • Blood clot (DVT)
  • Stiffness from scar tissue (arthrofibrosis)
  • Re-tear of the meniscus
  • Cartilage damage from the instruments
  • Nerve or blood vessel injury (rare)
  • Failure to relieve symptoms — not all knee pain originates from what is visible arthroscopically

Frequently Asked Questions

Is knee arthroscopy worth it for a meniscus tear?

It depends on the tear type and your symptoms. For a mechanical tear causing true locking or catching, surgery typically resolves the problem well. For degenerative meniscus tears in middle-aged patients, multiple large trials (including the Finnish Degenerative Meniscus Lesion Study) have shown that surgery offers no significant benefit over supervised exercise therapy in most cases. An orthopaedic surgeon who reviews your MRI and listens to your specific symptoms is the only one who can tell you which category you fall into.

How long is the recovery from knee arthroscopy?

Recovery varies a lot depending on what was done. A partial meniscectomy (removing torn tissue) often allows return to desk work in a few days and physical activity in 4-6 weeks. A meniscus repair (stitching the tear back together) requires 4-6 months because the repaired tissue has to heal. Cartilage procedures can take 6-12 months. Ask your surgeon specifically about what procedure they plan to perform before estimating your recovery timeline.

Will I need a knee replacement after arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy does not cause knee replacement. However, if the underlying problem is significant cartilage loss from arthritis, arthroscopy is unlikely to provide lasting relief. In that case, knee replacement may become appropriate on its own timeline — not because the scope caused anything, but because the arthritis progresses regardless. Patients with bone-on-bone arthritis who have realistic expectations about arthroscopy outcomes are the ones who end up most disappointed.

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Estimated Cost

$5,000 - $15,000 depending on what is repaired. Meniscectomy is less expensive than meniscus repair. Most insurance plans cover the procedure when non-operative treatment has been tried first. Out-of-pocket costs depend heavily on plan and facility.

Full cost breakdown

Related Specialty

Sports Med Specialists →

Related Conditions

ACL TearMeniscus TearTennis ElbowStress FractureGolfer's Elbow

Other Procedures

ACL ReconstructionArthroscopic SurgeryMeniscus RepairTommy John Surgery (UCL Reconstruction)PCL ReconstructionORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation)

This information is for educational purposes only. Costs are estimates and vary by location, surgeon, and insurance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.