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Orthopedics · Knee

Knee arthroscopy and meniscus

Does your knee hurt, swell or catch? In arthroscopy, the doctor looks into the joint with a camera through small incisions and, depending on the findings, trims or sutures the damaged meniscus. For examining the joint alone, HR Clinic also offers nanoscopy under local anesthesia. If everything is in order, the procedure can take place as soon as within a week of the consultation.

Book an orthopedic consultation Arthroscopy or nanoscopy?
  • No referral from your GP needed
  • Performed by Prof. MUDr. Radek Hart

4K arthroscopy and nanoscopy

1 weekthat is how soon the procedure can be
nanoscopy
localanesthesia; arthroscopy under general or regional anesthesia
until the procedure
1 weekfrom the consultation, if everything is in order
arthroscopy takes
1 houror less for most procedures, depending on the findings
back to activities
6–8 weeksusually after meniscus trimming, longer after suturing

When a procedure is considered

Meniscus, swelling and a locked knee

The menisci are two wedge-shaped pads of firm, elastic cartilage between the thigh bone and the shin bone. They absorb shock, transfer weight from one bone to the other and help keep the knee stable. They can tear during sports, for example in a sudden twist, but also with age, when worn tissue needs only an awkward twist while getting up from a chair.

  1. Damaged meniscus

    With a tear you may feel a pop. Most people keep walking on the knee, but within 2 to 3 days it gradually stiffens and swells. The pain is usually in the joint line, where the meniscus sits.

  2. Locked knee

    The knee catches, locks or gives way and cannot be fully straightened or bent. If it locks and will not release, have it examined without delay; a fresh injury belongs first in a trauma clinic or emergency room.

  3. Swelling and fluid in the knee

    Swelling can also have other causes, for example arthritis, bursitis or bleeding into the joint, so the source needs to be found. A hot, red knee with fever needs help right away.

  4. Pain that does not go away

    The knee pain lasts several weeks and limits walking, sports or work. Arthroscopy is considered when the problems persist and limit you.

Diagram of the knee from the front: on the left healthy menisci between the thigh bone and the shin bone, on the right a torn meniscus with the torn part shifted into the joint thigh bone shin bone Healthy meniscus Torn meniscus
  • meniscus
  • joint cartilage
  • bones of the knee
  • site of the tear
Simplified diagram of the knee from the front, not an actual image.

When to operate

When arthroscopy makes sense

What matters is the type, size and location of the tear, your age, your symptoms and your activity level. Whether and when to operate is decided by the doctor at the consultation.

Symptoms

The knee locks

It catches or gives way.

  • The knee cannot be fully straightened or bent

Symptoms

Pain and swelling persist

And they limit you.

  • The knee swells repeatedly and is stiff
  • Pain lasts for weeks and limits walking, sports or work

Findings

Torn meniscus

Treated according to the findings.

  • The meniscus is trimmed or sutured, depending on the findings
  • Where the findings allow, Prof. Hart tries to preserve the meniscus

Not sure whether surgery is right for you? The examination decides. Book a consultation

How the procedure works

From booking to going home

The doctor makes several small incisions at the knee. Through one goes a thin camera that transmits the image of the joint to a screen, through the others fine instruments. The joint is filled with sterile fluid so that it can be seen clearly. First the doctor determines what is damaged, then trims or sutures the meniscus depending on the findings.

  1. Booking

    Online or by phone. A referral from your GP is not needed.

    online or by phone

  2. Consultation and examination

    Prof. Hart palpates the knee and uses movement tests to check whether the problems come from the meniscus.

    diagnosis and treatment plan

  3. Procedure

    Arthroscopy is performed under general or regional anesthesia. Most knee arthroscopies take less than an hour.

    as soon as within a week

  4. Home

    You go home as soon as everything is in order, often the same day. Do not drive after anesthesia; someone must take you home. At first, crutches will help you.

    check-up and physiotherapy

Nanoscopy

A look into the knee under local anesthesia

The clinic has optics for 4K arthroscopy and for nanoscopy. Nanoscopy is a gentle examination of the knee joint with fine, high-resolution optics, possibly combined with a smaller procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia only. Which of the two options suits you is assessed by Prof. Hart at the consultation based on the findings.

Gentle examination

Nanoscopy

Fine optics, a small procedure under local anesthesia.

  • Local anesthesia only, without general or spinal anesthesia
  • No need for a preoperative examination by your treating physician
  • The doctor sees the joint from the inside and can combine the examination with a smaller procedure

Knee surgery

Arthroscopy

Camera and instruments through small incisions, under general or regional anesthesia.

  • Treatment of the meniscus: trimming the damaged part, or suturing
  • Depending on the findings, also more extensive, reconstructive procedures in the joint
  • A preoperative examination may be needed before the procedure

Not sure what is suitable for your knee? The examination decides. Book a consultation

Recovery and physiotherapy

The knee needs time and exercise

After the procedure the knee hurts at first, is stiff and may swell. How quickly you return to everyday activities depends mainly on what was treated in the knee. If needed, we follow up with physiotherapy right at the clinic.

Room of the short-stay ward at HR Clinic

  1. The first days

    Keep the leg raised as much as possible, apply cooling for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours (ice wrapped in a towel), keep the dressing dry. When you may put full weight on the leg is determined by the doctor depending on the procedure performed.

  2. Meniscus trimming: 3 to 6 weeks

    After the damaged part is removed, the knee can usually bear weight right away. Healing and exercises take roughly 3 to 6 weeks.

  3. Meniscus suturing: 3 to 6 months

    A sutured meniscus has to heal together, so rehabilitation is longer. During that time the knee may be protected by a brace.

  4. Driving and work

    After a minor procedure usually in 1 to 3 weeks; you can drive once the knee can handle sudden braking. Returning to work depends on how physically demanding it is.

Prof. MUDr. Radek Hart, Ph.D., FRCS, MHA

Who operates

Prof. MUDr. Radek Hart, Ph.D., FRCS, MHA

Orthopedic and trauma surgeon of the musculoskeletal system, head physician of HR Clinic. With a torn meniscus, where the findings allow, he tries to preserve and suture the meniscus because it absorbs shock in the knee. He sees patients in Znojmo and Vienna; after a consultation in Vienna, the procedure can be performed in Znojmo.

More about Prof. Hart Specialist website ortho-hart.at

Price We will tell you the price of the procedure at the consultation, depending on the findings and the extent of the procedure.

Frequently asked questions

What patients ask most often

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What is the difference between arthroscopy and nanoscopy?

Both are a look into the knee joint with optics. Nanoscopy is a gentle examination with fine optics under local anesthesia only, possibly combined with a smaller procedure, and it does not require a preoperative examination by your treating physician. Arthroscopy is performed under general or regional anesthesia and also allows more extensive treatment, for example suturing the meniscus. Which one suits you is assessed by the doctor at the consultation.

Is the meniscus trimmed or sutured?

That is decided by the findings during arthroscopy. The outer third of the meniscus has a good blood supply, so a tear there can be sutured. The inner two thirds have no blood supply and do not heal on their own, so the damaged part there is usually trimmed. Where the findings allow, Prof. Hart tries to preserve and suture the meniscus. After suturing, rehabilitation is longer, roughly 3 to 6 months.

Do I need an MRI?

MRI shows the meniscus most precisely. An X-ray does not show a meniscus tear, but it helps rule out other causes of pain, for example arthritis. The doctor decides on any further examinations.

Will the procedure hurt, and will I go home the same day?

Arthroscopy is performed under general or regional anesthesia, nanoscopy under local anesthesia. After the procedure the knee hurts for a while and is stiff; pain medication and cooling help. You go home as soon as everything is in order, often the same day; the stay at the clinic lasts at most 24 hours.

When should I get in touch after the procedure?

Right away if you have a fever or chills, severe or worsening pain, marked swelling or redness of the knee, fluid leaking from the wound, or tingling or numbness around the joint that does not go away. Complications such as infection or a blood clot are rare, but it is important to catch them early.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No. You simply book online or by phone.

Booking

Book an orthopedic consultation

Online or by phone, at the clinic in Znojmo. A referral from your GP is not needed.

Book a consultation
Book a consultation