Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is a type of surgery that helps doctors look inside the knee joint using a small camera and tiny instruments. It allows surgeons to diagnose and treat many knee problems without making large cuts. This type of surgery is often used for people who have knee pain, swelling, or injuries from sports or other activities. Conditions that can be treated with knee arthroscopy include torn cartilage, damaged ligaments, and inflamed joint linings.
The History of Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy started in the 1960s in Japan thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Masaki Watanabe. It was introduced to North America by a Canadian surgeon named Dr. Robert W. Jackson who was taught by Dr. Watanabe. Doctors used to perform open surgeries with large cuts to see inside the knee, but now they can do many of the same things through very small incisions. Today, knee arthroscopy is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic surgeries around the world. It is especially popular because it usually leads to faster healing, less pain, and smaller scars than older surgical methods.
How is Knee Arthroscopy Performed?
During a knee arthroscopy, an orthopedic surgeon makes a few small incisions around the knee. Through one of the cuts, the doctor inserts a tiny camera called an arthroscope, which shows the inside of the knee on a screen (Figure 1). The other cuts are used to insert special tools that help the surgeon clean out damaged tissue, repair tears, or fix other problems. The tools and camera are designed to be very small so that the surgery can be done with minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
Conditions that are often treated with a Knee Arthroscopy
Many knee problems can be treated using arthroscopy. Some of the most common include:
- Removing a damaged meniscus (meniscectomy)
- Repairing a torn meniscus (meniscal repair)
- Reconstructing a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL reconstruction)
- Treating cartilage injuries (microfracturing osteochondral lesions). Micro-fracturing an osteochondral lesion is a surgical technique where small holes are made in the bone beneath damaged cartilage to help new tissue grow and fill in the injured area.
- Synovectomy (Removing inflamed joint lining)
These procedures can often help improve knee movement, reduce pain, and prevent further damage.
Recovery from Knee Arthroscopy
The recovery from knee arthroscopy is usually faster than recovery from open knee surgery. Because the cuts are small, there is often less swelling and pain following surgery. However, how long it takes to fully recover depends on what specific procedure was done during the arthroscopy. Some people may be walking within a day or two, while others may need crutches or physical therapy for a few weeks or months. Overall, most patients are able to recover much sooner than with traditional knee surgery.
Edited by Amari Eubanks and Stephen Pinney MD, July 26th 2026.