Two small stab incisions (portals) will be made either side of the patella tendon and an instrument, known as arthroscope (Telescope attached to a fibre-optic cable and to a video monitor), will be introduced from one side portal to observe the joint structures with magnification. Through the other portal various instruments can be introduced to carry out the actual procedure. These procedures include removal of cartilage, repair of meniscus, and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Knee arthroscopy, “clean up”, usually takes around 45 minutes, and a reconstructive procedure could take up to 2 hours of anaesthetic time.