Dr. Samhitha Reddy
Consultant Proctologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon
MBBS, MS, FMAS, FISCP, DMAS
- 8 Yrs
- ASCRS Member
Orthopaedics · Arthroscopy
Knee Arthroscopy in Hyderabad: Keyhole Surgery at Lux Hospitals
Knee arthroscopy is keyhole surgery inside the joint, done through two or three incisions the size of a buttonhole. It is excellent for mechanical problems: a torn meniscus, a loose fragment, a damaged ligament.
It is not, however, a treatment for arthritis, and it is worth being clear about that. Our orthopaedic surgeons at Lux Hospitals, HITEC CITY use arthroscopy where it genuinely helps, and will say so where it would not.
- Keyhole Procedure
- Day-Care Surgery
- Minimal Scarring
What is Knee Arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small camera is passed into the knee joint through an incision of a few millimetres, with instruments introduced through one or two further portals. The surgeon sees the inside of the joint magnified on a screen and works through those tiny openings.
It is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Everything inside the joint can be inspected directly (the menisci, the cruciate ligaments, the cartilage surfaces) and most problems found can be treated in the same sitting.
What it is good for is mechanical problems: a torn meniscus catching in the joint, a loose fragment of cartilage, a ruptured cruciate ligament. What it does not treat is osteoarthritis. Large trials have shown clearly that arthroscopy for arthritic knee pain offers no benefit over physiotherapy, and offering it would be doing you no favour.
Conditions Treated by Knee Arthroscopy
These are the problems inside the knee that keyhole surgery genuinely addresses.
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Meniscal tears
The commonest reason. A torn meniscus can be repaired or the damaged portion trimmed, depending on the tear pattern and blood supply.
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Anterior cruciate ligament rupture
The ACL is reconstructed arthroscopically using a graft, restoring stability in patients whose knee gives way.
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Cartilage defects
Focal areas of damaged articular cartilage can be smoothed, micro-fractured or grafted, particularly in younger patients.
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Loose bodies
Fragments of cartilage or bone floating in the joint that cause locking. Removing them gives immediate and complete relief.
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Synovitis
Inflamed joint lining causing swelling and pain, which can be biopsied and excised arthroscopically.
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Patellar maltracking
Where the kneecap does not run in its groove correctly, a lateral release or realignment can be performed.
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Septic arthritis
An infected joint can be thoroughly washed out arthroscopically, which is both urgent and highly effective.
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Unexplained persistent symptoms
Where imaging does not explain the symptoms and mechanical signs persist, diagnostic arthroscopy has a genuine role.
Meniscal tears deserve a note. Small degenerate tears in an arthritic knee are common findings on MRI that often cause no symptoms: treating the scan rather than the patient is a well-recognised error.
When Knee Arthroscopy Helps
Mechanical symptoms are the ones arthroscopy addresses: the sensation that something is physically catching or giving way inside the joint.
Symptoms it treats well
- Locking: the knee getting stuck and needing to be wiggled free
- Catching or clicking with a sense of something moving inside
- Giving way or a feeling of instability
- Persistent swelling after an injury
- Pain localised to the joint line, worse on twisting
- Loss of full extension after a twisting injury
Symptoms it does not treat
- Generalised aching from established osteoarthritis
- Morning stiffness that eases with movement
- Pain on stairs without any locking or catching
- Night pain from advanced arthritis
- Deformity of the knee with bone-on-bone changes on X-ray
- Pain referred from the hip or lower back
The distinction matters. A knee that locks has something mechanical inside it that arthroscopy can remove. A knee that simply aches from arthritis will not be improved by looking inside it.
Diagnosis & Preparation
The assessment establishes that the symptoms are genuinely mechanical and that the problem is one arthroscopy can fix.
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Physical examination
Joint line tenderness, meniscal provocation tests, ligament stability testing and assessment of range of motion and effusion.
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X-rays
Weight-bearing films to assess the degree of arthritis: the finding that most often argues against arthroscopy being helpful.
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MRI scan
Shows menisci, ligaments and cartilage in detail. Interpreted alongside the examination, not in isolation, since incidental findings are common.
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Pre-operative assessment
Blood tests, an ECG where age or history calls for one, and a review of blood thinners that need pausing.
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Anaesthetic review
Discussion of general versus spinal anaesthesia. Most knee arthroscopies are done as day cases either way.
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Pre-operative instructions
Fasting for six hours beforehand, and arranging for someone to take you home, since you cannot drive afterwards.
An MRI reported as showing a meniscal tear does not by itself justify an operation. What matters is whether your symptoms match that finding, which is what the examination establishes.
Treatment Options
Many knee problems settle without surgery. Arthroscopy is chosen where the symptoms are mechanical and the problem is one that keyhole surgery can correct.
Non-surgical
Non-surgical treatment
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Physiotherapy
Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings. Effective for many meniscal tears and the first-line treatment for degenerate ones.
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Activity modification and rest
Avoiding deep squatting and twisting allows many acute injuries to settle over six to twelve weeks.
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Anti-inflammatory medication
Reduces swelling and pain during the settling phase, used alongside physiotherapy rather than instead of it.
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Steroid injection
Useful where inflammation and swelling dominate, and it can help clarify whether pain is coming from the joint at all.
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Bracing
Supports an unstable knee and offloads a damaged compartment while other treatment takes effect.
Surgical
Arthroscopic procedures
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Meniscal repair
Stitching a torn meniscus back together. Preferred wherever possible, since preserving the meniscus protects against later arthritis.
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Partial meniscectomy
Trimming the torn portion where repair is not feasible. Effective for locking, though it removes tissue that cannot be replaced.
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ACL reconstruction
Rebuilding the torn ligament with a graft, restoring stability for patients whose knee gives way.
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Cartilage procedures
Microfracture, chondroplasty or cartilage grafting for focal defects, particularly in younger patients.
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Removal of loose bodies
Retrieving fragments causing locking. One of the most satisfying procedures in arthroscopy: the relief is immediate.
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Synovectomy and washout
Removing inflamed lining, or thoroughly irrigating an infected joint, which is an urgent indication.
Repairing a meniscus rather than trimming it is preferred wherever the tear pattern allows, because meniscal tissue removed cannot be replaced and its loss accelerates arthritis over the following decades.
What Knee Arthroscopy Involves
A thirty to sixty minute day-care procedure through two or three incisions of a few millimetres. Home the same day, walking immediately.
Arthroscopic knee surgery
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Anaesthesia
General or spinal anaesthesia, with local anaesthetic infiltrated into the portals for post-operative comfort.
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Creating the portals
Two or three incisions of five to ten millimetres are made around the front of the knee, giving access for the camera and instruments.
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Diagnostic inspection
The whole joint is inspected systematically: both menisci, both cruciate ligaments, all cartilage surfaces and the joint lining.
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Treating what is found
Meniscal repair or trimming, removal of loose bodies, cartilage smoothing or ligament reconstruction, depending on the findings.
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Final inspection and washout
The joint is inspected again to confirm the problem is addressed, and irrigated to remove debris.
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Closure
The tiny portals are closed with a single stitch each or adhesive strips, and a dressing applied.
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Recovery and discharge
Two to four hours of observation, walking with crutches, and home the same day with physiotherapy instructions.
The surgeon decides much of what is done during the operation rather than before it, because the arthroscopic view is more informative than any scan. The plan is therefore discussed as a range of possibilities beforehand.
Why Choose Lux Hospitals for Knee Arthroscopy?
The most useful thing a surgeon can do here is know when arthroscopy will not help. Here is why patients trust us:
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Experienced arthroscopic surgeons
Orthopaedic surgeons performing knee arthroscopy regularly, including meniscal repair and ligament reconstruction.
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Honest indications
We do not offer arthroscopy for arthritic knee pain, because the evidence is clear that it does not help.
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Comprehensive care
From the first consultation through to post-treatment follow-up, with one team throughout.
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Convenient location
Our hospital is in HITEC CITY, near IKEA: easily reachable from across Hyderabad.
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Recovery depends entirely on what was done. A simple meniscectomy takes weeks; a meniscal repair or ACL reconstruction takes months.
- Day 0
Home the same day, walking with crutches. Some swelling and discomfort at the portal sites, controlled with simple painkillers.
- Days 1–7
Ice and elevation to control swelling. Gentle range of motion exercises begin. Crutches discarded within days after a simple procedure.
- Weeks 2–6
After a meniscectomy or washout, normal walking and desk work resume. After a repair or reconstruction, protected weight-bearing continues.
- Weeks 6–12
Return to most activities after simple procedures. Progressive strengthening after repairs, with running usually permitted around three months.
- Months 6–9
Return to pivoting sport after ACL reconstruction, subject to passing functional testing rather than to time alone.
Aftercare
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Ice and elevate early
Regular icing and elevation in the first week controls swelling, which is the main limit on regaining movement.
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Follow your specific protocol
Rehabilitation differs enormously between procedures. A meniscal repair needs protection that a meniscectomy does not.
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Regain full extension
Getting the knee completely straight early is a priority. A knee that will not straighten causes lasting problems with gait.
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Keep the portals dry
Keep dressings dry for the first few days and shower rather than bathe until the portals have sealed.
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When to call us
Fever, spreading redness, increasing swelling and pain, calf pain and swelling, or the knee locking again.
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Do not rush back to sport
Returning before strength and control are restored is the main cause of re-injury, particularly after ACL reconstruction.
Where a meniscus was repaired rather than trimmed, the recovery is longer and the restrictions stricter, but preserving that tissue protects the knee for decades afterwards, which makes the extra months worthwhile.
When Should You See a Specialist?
Book a consultation if any of the following apply.
- Your knee locks or gets stuck and needs freeing.
- A sense of catching or something moving inside the joint.
- The knee gives way or feels unstable.
- Persistent swelling after a twisting injury.
- Inability to fully straighten the knee.
- Knee pain that has not settled with physiotherapy.
Cost of Knee Arthroscopy in Hyderabad
Cost depends on what is done inside the joint, not on the arthroscopy itself. These are the ranges our patients fall into.
| Procedure | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Consultation & assessment Per visit | ₹800 – ₹1,500 |
| MRI knee Where indicated by examination | ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Diagnostic arthroscopy with washout Day care, same-day discharge | ₹55,000 – ₹95,000 |
| Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy Day care, same-day discharge | ₹70,000 – ₹1,20,000 |
| Arthroscopic meniscal repair Day care or one night; implants included | ₹90,000 – ₹1,60,000 |
| ACL reconstruction One night’s stay, graft fixation included | ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Post-operative physiotherapy Depends on the procedure performed | ₹10,000 – ₹35,000 |
What changes the estimate
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What is done inside the joint
A washout, a meniscal trim, a meniscal repair and an ACL reconstruction differ enormously in time, implants and cost.
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Implants used
Meniscal repair devices and ACL graft fixation implants are a significant part of the total, and vary between manufacturers.
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Rehabilitation required
A meniscectomy needs a few weeks of physiotherapy; an ACL reconstruction needs six to nine months of structured rehabilitation.
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Room category
A shared ward, a twin-sharing room or a private suite: the largest single swing in most estimates.
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Insurance & TPA cover
We are empanelled with most major insurers, and our team files the pre-authorisation for you.
Every figure above is an indicative range, not a quote. After your consultation you are given a written, fixed-cost estimate, and that is the number you pay, with no additions once treatment begins.
Other Orthopaedics Treatments
Our Surgeons
Knee Arthroscopy Specialists at Lux Hospitals
The orthopaedic and sports injury surgeons who perform knee arthroscopy at our HITEC CITY hospital.
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Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon: Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy
MS (Ortho), FIJR, FIASM (UK), FIKS (Italy), FIRJR
8 years experience
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Dr. Bathini Hithesh
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS, MS, FIJR
6 years experience
Testimonials
What Patients Say About Their Treatment
Reviews from patients treated for knee, shoulder and sports injuries at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad.
From the Blog
Latest Health Articles by Lux
Written by Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala on knee arthroscopy, sports injuries and orthopaedic care.
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Best Knee Replacement Surgeon in Hyderabad: What to Look For
Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
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Best Knee Replacement Surgery in Hyderabad
Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
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Knee Arthroscopy for Cartilage Damage: Benefits & Care
Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
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Untreated Bone Fracture: Risks, Symptoms & Treatment
Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
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Rotator Cuff Tear vs Frozen Shoulder: Symptoms & Treatment
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Knee Arthroscopy vs Open Knee Surgery: Key Differences
Dr. Sai Kishan Sirasala
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about knee arthroscopy, its recovery, and what surgery costs at Lux Hospitals.
What is the recovery time for knee arthroscopy?
It depends entirely on what was done. A simple washout or partial meniscectomy allows walking within days and normal activity within two to six weeks. A meniscal repair needs three months of protection, and an ACL reconstruction six to nine months before returning to pivoting sport.
Is knee arthroscopy safe?
Yes, it is a very safe procedure with a low complication rate. Risks include infection, blood clots, stiffness and bleeding into the joint, all of which are uncommon. Being keyhole surgery, it carries considerably less risk than open knee surgery.
How long does the procedure take?
Typically thirty to sixty minutes, though it varies with what needs doing. A diagnostic arthroscopy with washout may take twenty minutes, while an ACL reconstruction takes ninety minutes or more.
Does knee arthroscopy help arthritis?
No, and this is worth being clear about. Large trials have shown that arthroscopy for arthritic knee pain gives no benefit over physiotherapy. It remains valuable for genuinely mechanical problems such as locking from a loose body, but it is not a treatment for arthritis itself.
Can I walk after knee arthroscopy?
Yes. You will walk with crutches the same day, and most patients discard them within a few days after a simple procedure. Where a meniscal repair or ligament reconstruction was performed, protected weight-bearing continues for several weeks as instructed.
What are the potential complications after knee arthroscopy?
Infection, blood clots in the leg, stiffness, persistent swelling, bleeding into the joint and, rarely, nerve injury around the portals. All are uncommon. Persistent swelling is the most frequent nuisance and settles with ice, elevation and time.
Will a meniscal tear be repaired or trimmed?
Repair is preferred wherever the tear pattern and blood supply allow, because meniscal tissue removed cannot be replaced and its loss accelerates arthritis over subsequent decades. Tears in the poorly vascularised inner portion generally cannot be repaired and are trimmed instead. The decision is often made during the operation.
What is the cost of knee arthroscopy at Lux Hospitals?
Diagnostic arthroscopy with washout ranges from about ₹55,000 to ₹95,000, partial meniscectomy ₹70,000 to ₹1,20,000, meniscal repair ₹90,000 to ₹1,60,000, and ACL reconstruction ₹1,40,000 to ₹2,50,000. Cost is driven by what is done inside the joint and the implants used.
How can I book an appointment for knee arthroscopy at Lux Hospitals?
You can book an appointment by calling us, messaging us on WhatsApp, or walking into Lux Hospitals, HITEC CITY. Bring any X-rays or MRI scans of the knee with you.
Still have questions? Call us at 079 6908 4422
Still have questions? Message us on WhatsApp at 079 6908 4444
Book Your Knee Consultation in Hyderabad
Keyhole knee surgery where it genuinely helps, with an honest assessment first and a fixed-cost estimate before treatment.
Plot No.116, Lumbini Avenue, HITEC CITY, Near IKEA, Hyderabad – 500032