At The London Clinic, we provide a private knee arthroscopy service to correct all kinds of knee joint problems. One of our world class orthopaedic surgeons will guide you from pre-op, right through to recovery.
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Knee arthroscopy
Also known as: Knee keyhole surgery
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What is it for?
For the treatment of problems in the knee
On this page
Treatment overview
Knee arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) allows your surgeon to look inside your knee to diagnose and treat any injuries or abnormalities.
Your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend it if you have persistent knee pain, swelling or stiffness, usually from:
- Sporting injuries
- Arthritis
- Age related cartilage degeneration
- Accidents e.g. rupture to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Compared to open surgery, knee arthroscopy tends to reduce your recovery time post-surgery and minimise the risk of complications.
Our specialist team of renowned consultant orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses all work as one, to provide a world-leading service that puts your needs first.
Timeline
At The London Clinic we offer instant access to the best medical treatment, so you can get back to the life you love.
Consultation and diagnosis
You’ll be seen by one of our orthopaedic surgeons, at our specialist clinic near Harley Street, to give you a thorough assessment of your knee joint.
Your orthopaedic surgeon may send you for an MRI scan to get a more detailed image of the bone, meniscus cartilage and ligaments in your joint.
Many knee problems can be solved without surgery.
Instead of keyhole surgery, or as part of your treatment package, your surgeon may recommend:
- A tailored weight-loss program
- Specialist physiotherapy
- Steroid injection
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Knee-brace
Thorough pre-admission assessment
After your first consultation you’ll have a follow up appointment with your care team so they can fully assess:
- Your general health
- Advise you on what you can or can’t eat before surgery
- Advise you on any physiotherapy you might need
You may be given a blood test to investigate any underlying health conditions.
The day of your operation
Your care team will prepare you for surgery and let you know exactly what to expect during the day.
After the operation, you’ll be taken to the recovery suite, where you’ll be looked after while you wake up from the anaesthetic. .
Aftercare and follow-up
Knee arthroscopy is normally a same day procedure, so you’ll be free to go home once your care team is happy with your recovery.
Once home, you’ll have a video check-up with your care nurse about your dressing, any medication, and your overall well-being.
Further down the road we’ll invite you for a follow-up appointment with your surgeon who’ll assess your joint and check you’re recovering well.
FAQs
Knee arthroscopy surgery takes place with you asleep (under general anaesthetic).Your surgeon will begin the procedure by making very tiny cuts (incisions) a few millimetres in length at each side of your knee joint. A miniature camera (arthroscope) is then inserted into the joint and the pictures displayed on a video screen. Guided by the camera, your surgeon will examine your knee for any damage, or abnormalities.Using specialised miniature instruments your surgeon may:
- Cut away damaged tissue
- Repair and trim cartilage
- Reconstruct torn ligaments
- Drain excess fluid
- Remove loose fragments of bone
Once finished, your surgeon will remove the instruments and camera from your knee, and close the incisions using special tape or stitches. They will also apply a protective dressing to the wound. You will then move to the recovery suite while your anaesthetic wears off.  Once your care nurse is happy with your progress, you’ll be free to go home.
How long it takes to recover from knee arthroscopy depends on how fit and healthy you are before your surgery. Recovery time varies from person to person, but your knee will probably feel quite sore and stiff for two to six weeks. For the first few days after surgery it’s best to take plenty of rest. If your job isn’t too physical, you should be able to go back to work after a week. If your job is quite active, you may need to take up to two weeks off work. You should keep the wound dry for at least four days after surgery. A shower is fine, but you shouldn’t bathe or swim until the wound is fully healed.Once at home, you can follow the exercise program from your physiotherapist to help you get back on your feet.We’ll also have regular follow-ups with you to make sure you’re recovering as expected. If there’s anything you’re worried about, you can contact us at any time.
Knee arthroscopy is an effective, minimally invasive procedure which allows your surgeon to see, diagnose and repair any knee damage.Arthroscopic knee surgery has several advantages over open surgery, including:
- Shorter recovery time
- Less scarring (tiny cuts a few millimetres in length)
- Less pain post-surgery
- Faster healing
- Lower risk of infection
- Faster return to normal life
At The London Clinic our surgeons use the latest arthroscopic techniques for a smoother recovery and better outcomes.
Although knee arthroscopy is very safe, all surgery carries some risk.  Apart from short-lived swelling, bruising and numbness for a few days after the surgery, there can be rarer side-effects from knee arthroscopy:
- Bleeding inside the joint
- Blood clot that develops in a limb (e.g DVT)
- Infection in the joint
- Permanent nerve damage with numbness
- Weakness or pain in the leg or foot
- Further knee surgery
At The London Clinic your care team will focus on reducing complications and help you make a full recovery, as smoothly as possible.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
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0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.