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Knee arthroscopy surgery
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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KNEE ARTHROSCOPY SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you’ll be cared for by dedicated knee specialists, who’ll use the latest imaging technology to accurately diagnose your condition and devise a treatment plan tailored to you. Our minimally invasive surgical techniques will be combined with excellent support and aftercare, making your recovery as fast and comfortable as possible.
We’re a trusted provider of orthopaedic care in the UK, and 97% of our patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
We’re a trusted provider of orthopaedic care in the UK, and 97% of our patients say they’d recommend us to family and friends.
A knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical approach to diagnose and treat ongoing knee pain, using a camera inserted through a very small incision in your knee joint. You’ll usually have an MRI first, to help your surgeon decide exactly what surgery you need.
Arthroscopy is an effective way to treat a variety of problems and conditions without the need for open knee surgery, including:
Arthroscopy is an effective way to treat a variety of problems and conditions without the need for open knee surgery, including:
- Meniscal injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Kneecap or patella instability
- Repairing damaged cartilage
- Removing a loose body (a small fragment of cartilage or bone that breaks away from your knee joint)
Your knee might be damaged from an injury, from overuse in sports or physical activities, or from another condition.
Whatever the cause, if you’re experiencing ongoing knee pain and non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy or medication haven’t helped, your consultant or GP might recommend an MRI scan. If that shows significant damage to any part of your knee joint, then a knee arthroscopy can be a fast, effective way to treat you.
Whatever the cause, if you’re experiencing ongoing knee pain and non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy or medication haven’t helped, your consultant or GP might recommend an MRI scan. If that shows significant damage to any part of your knee joint, then a knee arthroscopy can be a fast, effective way to treat you.
A knee arthroscopy can help treat a variety of symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these, it’s a good idea to see an orthopaedic specialist:
- If your knee joint’s painful and it gets worse when you put more weight on it
- If you feel as if you knee joint will give way, or it can’t support your weight
- If your knee joint is swollen and it’s painful when you touch it
- If you hear and feel popping or clicking sounds when you move your knee
- If you can’t fully extend your leg, or your knee joint gets locked in place
A knee arthroscopy is a very common surgical procedure, and it’s an effective way to treat a variety of knee conditions using just a few small incisions. This minimally invasive technique offers several key benefits over open knee surgery, which include:
- Fewer stitches
- Less tissue damage
- Less pain after your operation
- Faster discharge (you can usually go home the same day)
- Faster recovery
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist knee consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
THE KNEE ARTHROSCOPY SURGERY PROCESS
What to expect
From initial consultation through to your recovery and aftercare, you’ll be in the hands of expert consultants and dedicated, caring teams. They’ll keep you fully informed at every stage of the process, and tailor your care specifically to your needs.
01
Initial consultation
The first step is to see a GP. They’ll ask you about your medical history and talk to you in detail about your knee condition, any pain you’re experiencing and how it’s affecting your life. Depending on your situation, they might recommend medication, refer you to a physiotherapist for non-surgical treatment, or to a specialist knee consultant.
02
Investigations and diagnosis
If you’re referred to a knee consultant, they’ll physically examine your knee in detail, and they might recommend imaging tests such as an ultrasound or an MRI scan to get a more detailed picture. The results should come back within 48 hours, and then your consultant will discuss your specific treatment options.
03
Treatment
A knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. A camera is inserted through a very small incision in your knee joint which transmits images to a high-definition monitor and allows your surgeon to see right inside your knee. They’ll then make other small incisions if needed, so they can insert specially designed surgical tools and carry out the specific treatment you need.
The surgery itself usually takes between 30-45 minutes, depending on your condition, and you should be able to go home the same day.
The surgery itself usually takes between 30-45 minutes, depending on your condition, and you should be able to go home the same day.
04
Aftercare
After your knee arthroscopy, you’ll be given time to recover from your anaesthetic in a private room, and something to eat and drink when you’re ready. We’ll also give you some crutches to help you get around, which you’ll need to use for a couple of weeks.
Your consultant and team will devise a programme to help you recover as quickly as possible. That might include physiotherapy or pain medication, as well as advice about how to manage your recovery at home.
Your consultant and team will devise a programme to help you recover as quickly as possible. That might include physiotherapy or pain medication, as well as advice about how to manage your recovery at home.
Locations
Where can I get knee arthroscopy surgery?
You can access our specialist knee services at locations across London, Manchester and Birmingham. From initial consultation through to treatment and next steps, you’ll be treated by some of the country’s most respected experts.
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Knee arthroscopy surgery FAQ
This is a very common procedure, and while no surgery is totally risk-free, the chances of complications are low. There’s a small risk of blood clotting or infection, and some people have adverse reactions to anaesthetic, but these are rare.
Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your specific surgical procedure and your condition, why it’s effective for you, and the likelihood of any complications.
Your consultant will talk to you in detail about your specific surgical procedure and your condition, why it’s effective for you, and the likelihood of any complications.
No, it’s not. It’s minimally invasive, which means your surgeon only has to make a few small incisions in your knee. The tissue and structures around your knee joint don’t get damaged in the way they can from open knee surgery, where your joint is opened right up.
You won’t feel any pain during the procedure itself because of the anaesthetic. The surgery only requires a few small incisions to be made around your knee joint, so you should feel less pain afterwards than with open surgery. You should also feel relief from your original knee pain more quickly and recover faster too.
It depends on your age and your overall health. Most patients have a general anaesthetic, but it’s also possible to have a local anaesthetic, so you’re awake but the area around you knee is numbed, or an epidural, which numbs the entire lower half of your body. Your consultant will talk you through the best option for your specific condition.
You’ll probably need to use crutches immediately after your surgery, and possibly for a few weeks afterwards. Your dedicated team will give you all the advice you need about managing your recovery at home, and might recommend physiotherapy or exercises that help get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
You’ll need to rest and recover from your anaesthetic immediately after the surgery, but you should be able to go home the same day. The total recovery time is different for each patient, but it should take 6-12 weeks in total.
In the first couple of weeks, you’ll feel some pain or discomfort, and some swelling, which can be eased with ice packs. Your consultant will check your progress, give you pain medication if you need it, and help you work out how to get back to your usual routine as safely and quickly as possible.
In the first couple of weeks, you’ll feel some pain or discomfort, and some swelling, which can be eased with ice packs. Your consultant will check your progress, give you pain medication if you need it, and help you work out how to get back to your usual routine as safely and quickly as possible.
You won’t be able to drive immediately after the procedure, so make sure you have transport arranged to get you back home. Every person’s recovery time is different, but you will be able to drive as soon as you can perform an emergency stop without pain or discomfort.
Our patients’ stories
Hana's recovery: Roaring back from a serious knee injury
Hana was a fearsome player on the pitch, but her commitment came at a price. In 2018 she tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and was seen by Mr Simon Thompson. He helped her get back to playing at a competitive level and Hana got to wear the England jersey she’d dreamed of. So, when she then suffered a meniscal tear in 2020, she knew who she was going to see.
Decades of pain, resolved in weeks
Now 46, Mike had been struggling with knee problems since he tore his right ACL during a football match at the age of 19.
Kriti’s story
As Kriti Singh stepped off the dance floor at her thirtieth birthday party in Varanasi, India, she felt a sharp pain in her right knee. With a ten-year history of knee trouble, this didn’t bode well.
“With hindsight, I should have dealt with my knee problems a long time ago. I’d say to anyone else in my position that if you’re not sure about anything, you should seek the help of a specialist.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.