Keyhole Surgery for Knee Pain: What You Need to Know

Degenerative knee conditions such as osteoarthritis can often lead to the obliteration of the joint lining and associated menisci. This causes individuals to experience symptoms that are highly uncomfortable and may have a negative effect on their quality of life.¹ Keyhole Knee Surgery, also known as Knee Arthroscopy, is one of the most common orthopedic ambulatory procedures in the UK for treating degenerative knee conditions. Results can vary depending on age, sex, income, and diagnosis.²

What is Knee Keyhole Surgery?

Knee Arthroscopy (Keyhole Surgery) is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to evaluate and treat the inside of the knee. Small puncture holes are made on both sides of the kneecap for surgical instruments and an arthroscope (a small tube with a camera and light). The arthroscope projects a clear image of the knee joint onto a monitor, guiding the surgeon during the procedure.

Indications for Knee Keyhole Surgery

Knee arthroscopy is recommended when conservative treatments have failed or as a diagnostic tool. Common indications include:³

• ACL or PCL tears
• Meniscus tears⁴
• Patella dislocation
• Loose cartilage or tissue in the joint
• Baker’s cyst removal/diagnosis
• Mild knee fractures
• Synovial swelling
• Knee arthritis (not always effective)
• Irrigation and debridement

How Should the Patient Prepare for Knee Keyhole Surgery?

Preparation includes a detailed health history, medication review, and stopping certain drugs (like aspirin/ibuprofen) before surgery. Patients may need to fast for 12 hours and may be prescribed painkillers for post-op pain.

What to Expect Before the Procedure?

The surgeon will review your health, examine your knees, and order pre-op tests (bloodwork, EKG, X-rays) if needed.⁵ Most procedures are outpatient (day case). An anesthetist will discuss anesthesia options: local, regional, or general.

What to Expect During the Keyhole Surgery?

The patient is positioned for optimal access, with a safety belt and tourniquet applied. After prepping and draping, small incisions are made. The knee is filled with sterile solution for visibility. The arthroscope is inserted, and the surgeon diagnoses and treats the problem using specialized instruments. The procedure usually lasts less than an hour. Incisions are closed with stitches or adhesive strips and covered with a soft bandage.⁶

What to Expect After the Procedure?

After surgery, patients recover for 1–2 hours and receive aftercare instructions. Recovery is usually faster than with open surgery, but following your doctor’s advice is crucial.⁷

What are the Possible Complications of Knee Keyhole Surgery?

• Infection inside the knee
• Excessive bleeding
• Shortness of breath from anesthesia⁸
• Allergic reactions to anesthesia or medications
• Blood clots (DVT) during recovery⁹
• Bleeding in the joint
• Stiffness or mobility issues
• Damage to joint surfaces, ligaments, meniscus, cartilage, or nerves¹⁰

Recovery at Home

After surgery, arrange for help at home for the first day. Keep your leg elevated, use ice packs, and change dressings as instructed. Gradually return to activity, starting with light exercises and physiotherapy to restore knee function and strength.

Alternatives to Keyhole Surgery

Prolotherapy

In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat knee pain.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help knee pain.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of knee pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after keyhole surgery on the knee?

Patients may experience swelling and pain for about a week, and some may feel more tired than usual. Most recover quickly with proper care.

How long is recovery from keyhole surgery on the knee?

Recovery is 5–7 days for diagnostic procedures, 2–12 weeks for treatment. Recovery may take longer if tissue repair is needed. Gradually return to activity and follow your doctor’s advice.

Can you walk right after arthroscopic knee surgery?

Patients can bear weight with a brace immediately after surgery and may use crutches for 4–6 weeks. Avoid long walks until cleared by your doctor.

Is knee arthroscopy major surgery?

No, it is a minor, outpatient procedure. It is recommended for joint injuries, inflammation, or chronic damage.

Is a knee scope painful?

Knee scoping is less painful than open surgery, with faster recovery. Some pain and stiffness are expected, but most patients recover quickly.

What is the fastest way to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery?

• Rest and elevate your leg
• Apply ice packs to reduce swelling
• Follow your doctor’s weight-bearing instructions
• Use crutches as needed
• Change dressings regularly
• Start physiotherapy as advised

Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call

Don’t let knee pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.

Get in Touch

• Phone: +44 1234 380345
• Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk

Our Clinic Locations

• London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
• Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
• Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH

All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.

Author Bio

Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating knee pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with knee pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile

References

1. Alkan, B. M., Fidan, F., Tosun, A., & Ardıçoğlu, O. (2014). Quality of life and self-reported disability in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Modern rheumatology, 24(1), 166–171. https://doi.org/10.3109/14397595.2013.854046
2. Hawker, G., Guan, J., Judge, A., & Dieppe, P. (2008). Knee arthroscopy in England and Ontario: patterns of use, changes over time, and relationship to total knee replacement. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 90(11), 2337–2345. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.G.01671
3. Mayr HO, Rueschenschmidt M, Seil R, et al. Indications for and results of arthroscopy in the arthritic Knee: a European survey. Int Orthop. 2013;37(7):1263-1271. doi:10.1007/s00264-013-1896-3
4. Bhattacharyya R, Davidson DJ, Sugand K, et al. Knee Arthroscopy: A Simulation Demonstrating the Imperial Knee Arthroscopy Cognitive Task Analysis (IKACTA) Tool. JBJS Essent Surg Tech. 2018;8(4):e32. Published 2018 Dec 26. doi:10.2106/JBJS.ST.18.00017
5. Ward BD, Lubowitz JH. Basic knee arthroscopy part 1: patient positioning. Arthrosc Tech. 2013;2(4):e497-e499. Published 2013 Nov 22. doi:10.1016/j.eats.2013.07.010
6. Royse, C. F., Williams, Z., Ye, G., Wilkinson, D., De Steiger, R., Richardson, M., & Newman, S. (2014). Knee surgery recovery: Post-operative Quality of Recovery Scale comparison of age and complexity of surgery. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 58(6), 660–667. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.12273
7. Ward BD, Lubowitz JH. Basic knee arthroscopy part 1: patient positioning. Arthrosc Tech. 2013;2(4):e497-e499. Published 2013 Nov 22. doi:10.1016/j.eats.2013.07.010
8. Royse, C. F., Williams, Z., Ye, G., Wilkinson, D., De Steiger, R., Richardson, M., & Newman, S. (2014). Knee surgery recovery: Post-operative Quality of Recovery Scale comparison of age and complexity of surgery. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 58(6), 660–667. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.12273
9. Ward BD, Lubowitz JH. Basic knee arthroscopy part 1: patient positioning. Arthrosc Tech. 2013;2(4):e497-e499. Published 2013 Nov 22. doi:10.1016/j.eats.2013.07.010
10. Bhattacharyya R, Davidson DJ, Sugand K, et al. Knee Arthroscopy: A Simulation Demonstrating the Imperial Knee Arthroscopy Cognitive Task Analysis (IKACTA) Tool. JBJS Essent Surg Tech. 2018;8(4):e32. Published 2018 Dec 26. doi:10.2106/JBJS.ST.18.00017