Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to view the knee joint without making a large incision (cut) through the skin and other soft tissues with the help of a small camera called an arthroscope. The camera displays pictures on a video monitor, and your surgeon uses these images to guide miniature surgical instruments.
Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee problems.
Knee arthroscopy may relieve painful symptoms of many problems that damage the cartilage surfaces and other soft tissues surrounding the joint.
Common arthroscopic procedures for the knee include:
- Removal or repair of a torn meniscus
- Reconstruction of a torn anterior cruciate ligament
- Removal of inflamed synovial tissue
- Trimming of damaged articular cartilage
- Removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
- Treatment of patella (kneecap) problems
- Treatment of knee sepsis (infection)