Knee arthroscopy

Examination and surgery of the knee (with key hole surgery) (e.g. for washout, removal of a torn cartilage or a loose body)

Speciality Orthopaedics, Trauma
Urgency elective, urgent, emergency
Duration 15 min to 1 h
Blood Loss minimal
Anaesthesia General Anaesthetic +/- Local Anaesthetic, Spinal
Anaesthesia II Local Anaesthetic, +/- Nerve Block
Nerve Blocks Femoral
Pain mild-moderate (++)
Post-op Pain Local up to 4-8 hours, Nerve Block up to 10-30 hours
Post-op Pain II Tablets, Suppositories, Injection (im, iv), Ice / cold compresses
Hospital Stay Day Surgery (a few hours) to 2 days
Full Recovery 2 to 8 weeks
Additional Info Recovery time depends on surgical procedure. Raised leg and physiotherapy facilitate recovery. Good pain relief with local anaesthetic injection into the knee

Specialities