Is keyhole surgery worth it if I have knee arthritis?
Every day patients with knee arthritis ask me whether keyhole surgery (knee arthroscopy) would help them. The bottom line is that it is an excellent minor procedure for patients who have symptoms from obstructing lesions in the knee such as a torn meniscus (cartilage shock absorber) or loose body regardless of the presence of underlying arthritis. It is less useful for patients with simple ache from arthritis without any mechanical component. The trick is telling the difference and this requires experience.