Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is ‘key hole’ surgery that performed through very small incisions, for a multitude of knee pathology. Dr Agolley is a knee surgeon on the Gold Coast who performs Knee Arthroscopy.

The most common knee problems arthroscopy addresses include:

Meniscal tears
Loose bodies
Treatment of damaged articular cartilage
Cartilage restoration
Assist with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

What are the symptoms?

Depending on the pathology, the history will be varied. Often there is a traumatic injury associated with knee symptoms. Their may be locking and catching in the knee associated with pain.

Dr Agolley will perform a thorough history and examination to help come to a diagnosis of your knee problem.

What investigations will be required?

Plain x-rays are essential to assess the presence of any bone injury. MRI may be required if there is suspicion of a soft tissue injury including tears of the meniscus and ligaments.

When Should I have Surgery?

After non-surgical treatments are exhausted, the decision to proceed with knee arthroscopy will be discussed. Surgery is recommended when there is ongoing pain, mechanical symptoms or instability, which prohibits you from having a good quality active life.

The procedure is often done as a ‘day only’ procedure, where you walk in and walk out on the same day.

The procedure and post-operative recovery

The specific type of procedures required during your knee arthroscopy will be discussed with you prior to the procedure. In general for most patients:

Your anaesthetist will perform general anaesthetic
2 small keyhole incisions are made over your knee
The knee joint is examined and the specific procedures required are undertaken
The knee is irrigated and local anaesthetic is infiltrated around the knee
The surgical site is thoroughly cleaned and closed

The post-operative recovery consists of:

The majority of patients that have an arthroscopy are discharged on the same operative day
Most patients are able to take full weight without crutches
Full range of motion is permitted of the knee
Return to sedentary work, school by 2-3 days
Heavy labour and running sports by 4 weeks

You may require an altered rehabilitation protocol, where your weight bearing and range of motion regimen are different to the standard arthroscopy protocol.