Skip to main content
Halcy Orthopedics

Knee Arthroscopy in New York

Also known as: Arthroscopic Knee Surgery, Knee Scope, Knee Arthroscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery, Knee Joint Arthroscopy

4 min read
Reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a small camera, called an arthroscope, is inserted into the knee joint through small incisions to diagnose and treat problems inside the joint. Working through the same small portals, the surgeon can use specialized instruments to repair or remove damaged tissue such as a torn meniscus, loose cartilage fragments, inflamed joint lining, or torn ligaments. Because the incisions are small, most patients go home the same day and experience less pain, less stiffness, and a faster return to activity compared with traditional open knee surgery.

At a Glance

  • Knee arthroscopy uses a pencil-thin camera and small portal incisions, allowing the surgeon to see and treat structures inside the joint without a large open incision[3]
  • Most knee arthroscopy procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, meaning patients typically go home the same day[1]
  • The overall complication rate after knee arthroscopy is approximately 1.1 percent, with infection the most common adverse event at roughly 0.84 percent[5]

Overview

During knee arthroscopy, the surgeon makes two or more small puncture incisions, called portals, around the kneecap. Sterile saline fluid is used to distend the joint capsule, creating space for visualization and giving the arthroscope a clear view of the cartilage, menisci, ligaments, and synovial lining. Images from the camera are projected onto a monitor in real time, allowing the surgeon to inspect every compartment of the knee and guide miniature instruments through the additional portals.

Common procedures performed during knee arthroscopy include partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair, removal of loose bodies, smoothing of damaged cartilage (chondroplasty), microfracture for cartilage defects, debridement of inflamed synovium, and reconstruction of the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament. Some operations are purely diagnostic, used to clarify findings when imaging studies are inconclusive.

Knee arthroscopy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general, regional, or spinal anesthesia. The evidence supporting arthroscopy varies by indication. It is well-supported for many traumatic meniscal tears, loose bodies, septic arthritis, and ligament reconstruction, but multiple randomized trials have shown that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy offers little benefit over structured exercise therapy or sham surgery for degenerative meniscal tears in middle-aged adults.

What to Expect During Treatment

  1. 1Preoperative evaluation, including history, physical examination, and imaging such as X-ray or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and surgical plan
  2. 2Anesthesia is administered, which may be general, regional (spinal or epidural), or a combination with local anesthetic at the portal sites
  3. 3The leg is positioned and the knee is prepped and draped in a sterile fashion, often with a thigh tourniquet to limit bleeding
  4. 4Small portal incisions are made on either side of the patellar tendon, and the arthroscope is introduced while saline distends the joint
  5. 5A systematic diagnostic survey of all knee compartments is performed, inspecting cartilage, menisci, ligaments, and synovium
  6. 6Targeted interventions are carried out, such as partial meniscectomy, meniscus repair, loose body removal, chondroplasty, or ligament reconstruction
  7. 7Portals are irrigated, instruments are withdrawn, and the small incisions are closed with sutures or adhesive strips and dressed with a sterile bandage

How does Knee Arthroscopy work?

  • Two or three small incisions, typically 4 to 6 millimeters each, are made around the kneecap to serve as portals for the arthroscope and instruments. Sterile saline solution is infused through one portal to distend the joint and improve visualization.
  • The arthroscope contains a fiber-optic light source and a small video camera. Live images of the joint surfaces, menisci, ligaments, and synovium are projected onto a high-resolution monitor, allowing the surgeon to navigate the joint with precision.
  • Through additional portals, the surgeon introduces specialized hand instruments and powered tools such as shavers, biters, suture passers, and radiofrequency probes to trim, repair, or remove damaged tissue.
  • Because the working tools are small and the bone, capsule, and surrounding muscles are not cut open, soft-tissue trauma is minimized. This generally results in less postoperative pain and a quicker return of knee motion compared with traditional open surgery.

When It's Recommended

  • Torn meniscus, including bucket-handle and traumatic peripheral tears
  • Torn or damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
  • Loose bodies of cartilage or bone within the joint
  • Focal articular cartilage defects amenable to chondroplasty or microfracture
  • Inflamed or hypertrophic synovium (synovitis)
  • Septic arthritis of the knee requiring irrigation and debridement
  • Patellar maltracking or lateral retinacular release
  • Persistent mechanical symptoms (locking, catching) that do not respond to conservative care
  • Diagnostic evaluation when imaging is inconclusive but symptoms persist

Conditions We Treat

Runner's Knee

Runner's knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a common condition causing pain around or behind the kneecap. It often develops from repetitive str...

Recovery & Aftercare

  • Most patients go home the same day, often using crutches for the first few days depending on the procedure
  • Mild to moderate swelling and discomfort are common during the first 1 to 2 weeks and can be managed with ice, elevation, and prescribed medications
  • For simple procedures such as partial meniscectomy or loose body removal, return to desk work is often possible within 1 to 2 weeks
  • Physical therapy is commonly recommended to restore knee motion, strength, and balance, typically starting within the first week
  • Return to running, cutting sports, or heavy labor generally ranges from 6 weeks to several months depending on what was done
  • Recovery after ligament reconstruction or meniscus repair is significantly longer, often 6 to 9 months before full sports clearance
  • Persistent or worsening symptoms such as fever, increasing redness, severe calf pain, or shortness of breath warrant prompt medical evaluation

Alternative Treatments

  • Structured physical therapy and a progressive exercise program
  • Activity modification, weight management, and bracing
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and other analgesics
  • Intra-articular injections, such as corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid
  • Open knee surgery for selected complex injuries
  • Partial or total knee replacement for advanced osteoarthritis

Related Treatments

Physical Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a pencil-thin camera, called an arthroscope, inserted through small incisions to view and treat problems inside the knee joint. Through the same small portals, the surgeon can repair or remove damaged tissue such as a torn meniscus, loose cartilage, inflamed synovium, or a torn ligament, without the larger incision required for open knee surgery.
Most knee arthroscopy procedures take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on what is found inside the joint and what work is performed. A purely diagnostic look or a simple loose body removal may take less time, while meniscus repair or ligament reconstruction generally takes longer.
For most patients in generally good health, knee arthroscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day once you have recovered from anesthesia. Your surgical team will give you specific discharge instructions before you leave.
Recovery depends on what is done during the procedure. For simple procedures such as partial meniscectomy or loose body removal, many people return to desk work within 1 to 2 weeks and to most regular activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Meniscus repair and ligament reconstruction can require 6 months or more before full return to cutting or pivoting sports.
Reported risks include infection, blood clots in the leg or lungs, bleeding into the joint, injury to nerves or blood vessels around the knee, persistent stiffness or pain, and complications of anesthesia. Overall complication rates after knee arthroscopy are approximately 1 percent, but vary by procedure type. See the safety section above for more detail.
No. Randomized trials suggest that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tears in middle-aged adults often provides little benefit over structured exercise therapy, and arthroscopy for primary knee osteoarthritis has not been shown to outperform sham procedures. Your surgeon can help determine whether arthroscopy is likely to be useful for your specific diagnosis.
Contact your surgical team promptly if you develop fever, increasing redness or drainage at the incision sites, severe or worsening knee or calf pain, calf swelling, shortness of breath, or chest pain. These can be signs of infection or a blood clot and require timely evaluation.
Knee Arthroscopy is commonly recommended for individuals experiencing torn meniscus, including bucket-handle and traumatic peripheral tears, torn or damaged anterior cruciate ligament (acl) or posterior cruciate ligament (pcl), loose bodies of cartilage or bone within the joint, focal articular cartilage defects amenable to chondroplasty or microfracture. Schedule a consultation at Halcy Orthopedics in New York to find out if Knee Arthroscopy is right for you.
Knee Arthroscopy is available at our Manhattan Flagship office (401 Park Avenue South, Suite 800, New York, NY 10016); our Brooklyn Heights office (75 Henry Street, Suite 320, Brooklyn, NY 11201). Contact our office to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you.

Your Practitioner

Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in cartilage preservation and minimally-invasive joint procedures. Dr. Chen treats high-performance athletes and weekend warriors alike, with a focus on returning patients to the activities they love.

Dr. Marcus Rivera, MD

Spine surgeon with subspecialty training in motion-preserving cervical procedures. Dr. Rivera has performed more than 2,000 cervical disc replacements and lectures internationally on navigation-assisted spine surgery.

Dr. Priya Nair, MD

Non-operative sports medicine physician focused on regenerative orthopedic care. Dr. Nair leads the practice's PRP and ultrasound-guided injection programs, and serves as team physician for two NYC-area collegiate athletic departments.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11