KNEE SURGERY

Arthroscopy of the knee for meniscus injury



Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery technique used to operate on the joint (knee, shoulder, hip, etc.). 
It is performed using a small camera and special instruments inserted through thin incisions in the skin.
Arthroscopic surgery makes it possible to perform certain surgical procedures, such as the treatment of a meniscal lesion, reconstruction of a cruciate knee ligament, reconstruction of a shoulder tendon, removal of shoulder bursitis, etc.

This technique has several advantages:
- Smaller, more attractive scars
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Faster recovery


knee picto

Arthroscopy of the knee to repair meniscus injuries

Meniscus damage is one of the main causes of knee pain. They affect :

  • Young people and athletes, who are often victims of traumatic injuries
  • Older people, who tend to have degenerative lesions

The meniscus is a fibrocartilage that plays an essential role in the congruence of the joint between the tibia and the femur. It plays an important shock-absorbing role in protecting the articular cartilage.

The menisci also contribute to knee stability.

A meniscal lesion must be treated using the therapeutic methods best suited to the patient's symptoms, age and activities.

And so, degenerative meniscus injuries:in the first instance, these are treated with painkillers or anti-inflammatories, infiltrations and physiotherapy.

It is only if these various treatments fail that knee arthroscopy can be considered to remove the damaged meniscus fragment. Suturing is rarely possible in this case.

On the other hand, meniscus injuries caused by trauma or to a healthy meniscus often follow a different treatment path. A traumatic meniscus injury:a meniscus injury, which appears suddenly, during a sporting activity for example, often requires relatively rapid surgical treatment, known as semi-emergency treatment. The aim will be to suture the injury and repair it to encourage healing, thereby preserving the entire meniscus.

meniscus lesions
sailhan meniscus lesion

What can arthroscopy do?

During arthroscopy, the condition of the meniscus will dictate the procedure.

  • Repair (suture) a meniscus tear where possible, particularly in young patients with recent injuries. It is important to do everything possible to preserve the meniscus tissue in young, active patients. This applies in particular to the lateral meniscus.
  • Resect (remove) the damaged part of the meniscus if it is of poor quality, frayed or calcified. Sometimes, the lesion cannot be sutured because the tissue is too damaged. In this case, the meniscus fragment will be removed, preserving as much of the remaining tissue as possible.

The decision between repair or resection depends on several criteria:

  • Lesion shape: simple, complex
  • Location
  • Quality of meniscus tissue
  • Patient's age
  • Associated injuries (cartilage, ligaments, bones)

The meniscus is sutured using special instruments called "anchors" or "automatic sutures", which repair the injury without opening the joint.

What is the recovery period after knee arthroscopy?

Recovery is relatively rapid:

  • Return home the same day: outpatient surgery
  • Partial or full support immediately depending on the procedure performed
  • Physiotherapy started quickly, the very next day
  • Resumption of daily activities within a few days
  • The right way to get back into sport in just a few weeks

The after-effects may be slightly longer in the case of meniscus sutures, with restrictions on flexion to promote healing.


After the operation, it is advisable to ice the knee to avoid bruising and to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories as prescribed.

The surgeon's recommendations must be followed in terms of how long before resuming sport. This will depend on the type of sport practised: pivot sport, sport on the axis, off-load sport (swimming, cycling) or high-impact sport (football, rugby, handball), etc.

knee physiotherapy

Where to have an operation in Paris?

Our teams work in a number of leading establishments in Paris:

For consultations:

  • Espace Médical Vauban
  • IMSS - Institut Médical Sport Santé
  • ARAGO Clinic

For interventions:

  • ARAGO Clinic

You will be cared for by recognised specialists: Dr Kerboull, Dr Sailhan and Dr Zilber, experts in hip surgery.

clinical entrance

Knee arthroscopy is a reliable and effective minimally invasive technique for treating a wide range of meniscus and ligament pathologies.

Need a precise assessment of your situation? Contact our specialist team for personalised advice.

Contact us for a consultation