Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic Knee Surgery

The key to successful cartilage repair lies in rehabilitation; do not rush the process. 

Postoperative Care Guidelines 

• Apply ice to reduce swelling: 15–20 minutes at a time for the first 48 hours. 

• Keep the wound dry: Avoid infection; if redness, swelling, or fever occurs, return for a follow-up visit. 

• Avoid excessive weight-bearing: Use assistive devices or crutches as directed based on the surgical site. 

• Switch to low-impact exercises: such as swimming or cycling; avoid running or jumping. 

Outpatient FAQs 

Q1: Is arthroscopic cartilage repair surgery painful?  

You may experience mild to moderate discomfort after surgery, which can usually be managed with oral pain medication. Because this is a minimally invasive procedure, the incision is very small (only 0.5–1 cm) and causes minimal tissue damage, resulting in significantly less postoperative pain and a shorter recovery period compared to traditional surgery. 

Q2: Does this surgery require an overnight hospital stay?  

To allow patients to return to their familiar surroundings as soon as possible, our clinic’s arthroscopic surgeries do not require hospitalization. After the procedure, patients are observed briefly in the clinic and can return home the same day to rest and recover. 

Q3: How soon after surgery can I walk normally or return to work?  

General daily mobility typically returns within 1–2 weeks; returning to work depends on the nature of the job. For sedentary office work, patients can usually return to work quickly; however, for physically demanding jobs involving prolonged standing or heavy lifting, a longer rehabilitation period is required. 

Q4: Will the repaired cartilage “completely” return to its original state?  

Cartilage does not “regenerate completely” like skin, but minimally invasive repair can improve joint stability and comfort while slowing down degeneration. The core goal of the surgery is to smooth out uneven, fragmented cartilage and stimulate the growth of new repair tissue, allowing you to regain pain-free mobility. 

Q5: My MRI report shows normal results, so why does the doctor still recommend arthroscopy? 

Although MRI is an excellent imaging tool, it inevitably has blind spots and sometimes cannot clearly visualize very small areas. Arthroscopy allows a high-definition camera to be inserted directly into the joint cavity, providing a “zero-blind-spot” examination. Areas that are unclear on MRI can be directly confirmed and immediately repaired via arthroscopy. 

Q6: If I’m active (or an athlete), can I return to sports after surgery?  

In most cases, yes, but the timing of your return to sports will depend on your individual rehabilitation progress. Many patients who love sports have successfully returned to the field after cartilage or meniscus repair, following a gradual, personalized rehabilitation program. 

Q7: Why is it recommended to combine arthroscopic surgery with regenerative therapy injections (such as PRF, PRP, BMAC, or amniotic membrane)?  

Arthroscopy allows us to “see and address the problem,” but to ensure greater stability and more complete healing in the repaired area, a favorable biological environment is essential. Regenerative therapy injections provide a rich supply of growth factors and regenerative signals, which can accelerate healing after arthroscopic treatment, improve the quality of repair, reduce inflammation and pain, and slow the rate of degeneration. 

Q8: Who is not a suitable candidate for arthroscopic surgery?  

Patients with severe joint deformity or complete loss of cartilage may require alternative treatment options. When cartilage has been completely worn away (severe osteoarthritis), the scope for minimally invasive repair is very limited. In such cases, physicians typically recommend evaluating other options, such as total joint replacement.