Knee arthroscopy surgery at Spire Leicester Hospital

At Spire Leicester Hospital, we offer fast diagnosis and treatment in our clean, modern facilities - without the wait. We also provide high-quality aftercare for as long as you need it.

If you need treatment, we can offer you a choice of expert orthopaedic surgeons who are committed to providing clinical care that's personalised to you.

At Spire Leicester Hospital, we have extensive experience of performing knee arthroscopy. All our orthopaedic operations take place in theatres with a laminar flow system that regulates air flow to reduce the risk of infection.

The procedures offered to you will depend on your symptoms or condition and might include:

• Repair or removal of torn cartilages – cartilage acts as a shock absorber in the knee and is commonly damaged as a result of sports injury or simply ‘wearing out’
• Damage to the knee cap and the joint surfaces can be trimmed or shaved
• Small holes (micro-fractures) can be made in the bone to stimulate new cartilage growth
• Removal of loose bodies such as bone, cartilage or debris from the joint

Finding us

We're located 7 miles from junction 21 of the M1 and easily accessible from the A47 and A6. We’re a 15 minute cab ride from Leicester railway station. We have free parking on-site for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

All of our 21 consulting rooms are on the ground floor making it easier for you if your knee problems are affecting your mobility. During your consultation, your consultant will:

• Discuss what may have happened to cause your symptoms (eg a sports injury or fall)
• Ask about your medical history
• Possibly recommend looking at your knee using our advanced scanning and imaging technologies to help diagnose the cause of your pain or mobility issues
• Give you the opportunity to talk openly about your treatment options and answer any questions you may have

Here’s what will happen on the day of your knee arthroscopy:

• You’ll meet your orthopaedic surgeon again and your anaesthetist
• You’ll be given the type of anaesthetic that you’ve agreed with your consultant – either a general, where you’re asleep, or a spinal or epidural, when you’re either sedated or awake but can’t feel anything below your waist
• Your surgeon will make two or more small incisions into your knee then pass the arthroscope – a thin, flexible, telescopic instrument with a light and a tiny video camera on the end – into your knee joint to view it
• They'll then repair damage to cartilage or ligaments, remove loose bone fragments or scar tissue, and may take tissue samples if there’s inflammation

If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they’re welcome to wait in your room while you have your operation.

It’s common to experience some pain or discomfort, but rest assured our nursing team will be able to provide pain relief medication and ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. How long any pain lasts for after your arthroscopy will depend on:

• Your condition or injury
• The exact nature of the surgery you had
• If you have an ongoing knee disease or injury needing further treatment

After your surgery, your consultant will discuss how your investigation/treatment went, and any future procedures you may benefit from. Typically, you’ll be able to go home later the same day or the day after your knee arthroscopy.

Although everybody’s different and you should always follow your consultant’s advice, here’s a typical recovery timeline for knee arthroscopy: