The surgery is carried out through keyhole surgery (arthroscopically).
It is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep. The operation takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Your surgeon will make a number of small cuts on your knee, and insert a tiny telescopic camera and small surgical instruments. This means your surgeon carry out the operation using a monitor.
The articular cartilage is either cut away, shaved until the surface is smooth, or drilled with holes in order to generate fibrocartilage. Your surgeon will close the area with surgical sutures/clips or dissolvable stitches.
You should be able to return home on the day of the operation and begin putting some weight on your leg immediately.
You will need to use crutches from a few days to six weeks after surgery and might need to ice your knee if it is still swollen. Any pain should be manageable with over-the-counter painkillers.
You’ll need to keep your wounds dry for up to 14 days after the operation to help with healing.
If you have a desk job, you may be able to return to work within a few days. Those with more active jobs may take longer to recover.
You will be given some exercises to help strengthen your knee and the surrounding structures, and may be referred to a physiotherapist. You should be able to return to sports or exercise after about six to twelve weeks.
