Is it time for a knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is keyhole surgery that diagnoses and treats problems inside the knee. A small camera and fine instruments go in through two or three tiny cuts. Most patients go home the same day.
In 2026, knee arthroscopy remains one of the most common orthopaedic operations performed in the UK. A large NHS dataset covering over 300,000 procedures found the 30-day reoperation rate was just 0.4%, and around 35% of these operations involved meniscal surgery. Complications are rare.
If your knee is locking, catching or hasn’t settled with physiotherapy, arthroscopy may help. Mr Ashwin Unnithan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a clinical interest in knee arthroscopy and meniscal repair. At consultation, he reviews your imaging with you. He discusses every option, including physiotherapy and injections. Keyhole surgery is only recommended when it will genuinely help.
As a minimally invasive knee surgeon with over ten years’ experience, Mr Unnithan uses knee arthroscopy to investigate unclear symptoms and to treat confirmed problems. This includes torn meniscus, loose cartilage fragments and inflamed joint lining.
You might recognise these signs
- Knee catching, locking or giving way
- Persistent swelling after activity
- Pain along the joint line that doesn't settle
- Knee pain that hasn't improved with physiotherapy
If your knee is catching, locking or swelling and hasn’t settled with conservative treatment, it is worth having an honest discussion about whether arthroscopy could help.
What is a knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is keyhole surgery. It uses a fine camera (arthroscope) to view directly inside the joint on a screen. This lets Mr Unnithan accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms. In the same procedure, he can treat many conditions – including trimming or repairing a torn meniscus, removing loose bodies, or addressing inflamed synovium.
Because it avoids a large open incision, knee arthroscopy is typically performed as a day case. Recovery is much faster than after open knee surgery. Where a meniscal tear is repaired rather than removed, published research shows a pooled success rate of around 83% at long-term follow-up.
It is worth being honest about when arthroscopy helps and when it doesn’t. Current NICE guidance (NG226) advises against arthroscopic lavage or debridement for osteoarthritis alone, as evidence does not support meaningful benefit in that specific scenario. Arthroscopy remains well supported for mechanical symptoms such as locking, catching or a confirmed meniscal tear – which is why accurate diagnosis at consultation matters.
Why choose Mr Ashwin Unnithan for knee arthroscopy in Wimbledon?
- Named clinical interest
knee arthroscopy and meniscal repair are specifically listed among Mr Unnithan’s clinical interests, not a general add-on procedure.
- Honest, evidence-led advice
a clear explanation of when arthroscopy will help and when it won’t, rather than defaulting to surgery.
- Minimally invasive philosophy
a dedicated minimally invasive hip and knee surgeon, prioritising the smallest effective intervention.
- High-volume, senior experience
over a decade as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. He also completed a trauma fellowship in New Zealand and further training at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
- Accurate diagnosis
where imaging is inconclusive, arthroscopy gives a direct view of the joint. This confirms the diagnosis and allows treatment in the same sitting.
- Repair over removal where possible
a preference for meniscal repair over removal, when the tear pattern and blood supply allow. This protects your knee’s long-term health.
- Accessible for Wimbledon patients
based in nearby Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, with appointments usually available within days and no GP referral needed for an initial consultation.
- Professional standing
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, member of the British Orthopaedic Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and a prize-winner at the British Trauma Society meeting.
At a glance
Your treatment journey
Consultation & imaging
Examination, MRI review where needed, and an honest discussion of whether arthroscopy is the right next step for your knee.
Planning
A personalised plan is made for what will be assessed and, where possible, treated during the procedure.
Surgery & recovery
Performed as a day case through small keyhole incisions, most patients walk the same day and go home within hours.
Rehab & follow-up
Guided physiotherapy and a scheduled review track your recovery, with most patients back to daily activity within a few weeks.
- COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about knee arthroscopy
How long does knee arthroscopy take to recover from?
Most patients are walking the same day and back to light daily activities within one to two weeks. Return to sport depends on what was treated during the procedure and is discussed individually.
Is knee arthroscopy a day case procedure?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases knee arthroscopy is performed as a day case, meaning you go home the same day under a light general or regional anaesthetic.
What is knee arthroscopy used for?
It diagnoses unclear knee symptoms directly. In the same procedure, it can treat problems such as a torn meniscus, loose bodies or damaged cartilage.
What is the success rate of arthroscopic meniscal repair?
Published research reports a pooled success rate of around 83% at long-term follow-up. Not every tear is repairable – suitability depends on its location and pattern, assessed at consultation.
What can be treated during a knee arthroscopy?
Common findings treated during arthroscopy include torn meniscus cartilage, loose bodies, damaged articular cartilage and inflamed synovial lining. Where a repairable meniscal tear is found, Mr Unnithan favours meniscal repair over removal whenever the tear pattern allows. Mr Unnithan will explain likely findings based on your imaging beforehand.
Is knee arthroscopy painful afterwards?
Discomfort is generally mild to moderate and well controlled with simple pain relief, as the incisions are small compared with open knee surgery.
Will I need physiotherapy after knee arthroscopy?
Yes, in most cases a structured, guided physiotherapy programme supports full recovery of strength and movement, particularly after meniscal work.
How soon can I be seen for knee pain?
Appointments are usually available within days, and no GP referral is required for an initial consultation with Mr Unnithan.
Quick appointment request
We’ll call you back within one working day.
Handled in line with UK GDPR — used only to arrange your appointment.