Knee Arthroscopy Procedures
Arthroscopy may be considered when symptoms, physical examination, and imaging identify a specific treatable problem. It is generally not indicated for the management of knee arthritis alone.
Common pathologies that may be addressed
- Repairable meniscal tears: selected acute traumatic tears, especially peripheral vertical tears, bucket-handle tears, and selected root tears.
- Unstable non-repairable meniscal fragments: partial meniscectomy may be considered when a torn fragment causes persistent mechanical symptoms and cannot be repaired.
- Loose bodies: mobile cartilage or bone fragments causing catching or locking.
- Focal cartilage lesions: selected small lesions may be treated with chondroplasty or marrow-stimulation procedures in appropriate patients.
- Synovial conditions: selected inflamed or abnormal synovial tissue may be biopsied or debrided.
- Ligament-related procedures: arthroscopy is commonly used as part of ACL reconstruction and assessment of associated injuries.
Selected references
- Siemieniuk RAC et al. Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears: clinical practice guideline. BMJ. 2017.
- AAOS. Management of Acute Isolated Meniscal Pathology Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. 2024.
- Noorduyn JCA et al. Physical therapy vs arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tears, five-year follow-up. JAMA Network Open. 2022.