Knee arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) involves a small incision at the front of the knee for the introduction of a small camera (arthroscope.) This allows the surgeon to look inside the joint, identify problems and, in some cases, make repairs to damaged tissue. This technique is used to address tears of the meniscus joint surface cartilage. Knee ligament injuries can also be reconstructed using these 'key-hole' techniques.

The use of key-hole knee arthroscopy, with small skin incisions, means that generally such procedures have a rapid recovery and most patients can return home the same day as their surgery.