The word ‘arthroscopy’ simply means looking (scopy) into a joint (arthro). Knee arthroscopy was first introduced into the UK in the 1970s and it has now become one of the most versatile and successful of all orthopaedic operations. A knee arthroscopy is not ‘just a knee arthroscopy’ – no two knee arthroscopies are ever exactly the same. The key is identifying which patients actually need a knee arthroscopy and then ensuring that the correct surgical procedures are actually performed to the highest possible standards.

Nowadays, it seems that pretty much everyone has an ‘expert’ opinion on knee arthroscopy. There seems to be constant interference from insurance companies and healthcare managers; however, the decision as to whether any individual patient might  need an arthroscopy and what precise arthroscopic procedures might actually need to be undertaken inside their knee is something that should only be taken by a proper, qualified, experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in knee surgery.