Diagnosing and treating your knee through keyhole surgery.
Knee arthroscopy uses a small camera and fine instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat a range of knee conditions — without the recovery associated with open surgery.
Book a ConsultationA thin camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the knee through a small incision — usually less than 1 cm. The image is displayed on a screen in the operating theatre, allowing Dr Mooney to examine the inside of the joint in detail. Small instruments can be introduced through additional incisions to treat problems identified during the procedure. The incisions heal within 7–10 days.
Knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a range of knee problems, including meniscal tears, loose bodies (fragments of cartilage or bone), chondral (cartilage) damage, knee joint inflammation (synovitis), and assessment before or after ligament surgery.
Not all meniscal tears are treated the same way. The right operation depends on the type and location of the tear, your age, activity level, and the blood supply to the injured area.
Damaged or frayed portions of the meniscus are trimmed away using small instruments. The remaining healthy tissue is left intact. This is the most common meniscal procedure — performed as a day procedure, typically taking 20–30 minutes. Most patients are walking within a few days and return to sport and exercise at 4–6 weeks.
The torn edges of the meniscus are sutured back together using fine sutures placed arthroscopically. This is only possible for certain tear types — particularly vertical or longitudinal tears near the outer edge, where the blood supply supports healing. Recovery is longer (return to sport 4–6 months), but the meniscus is preserved. Where repair is feasible, Dr Mooney prefers it.
A root tear affects the point where the meniscus anchors to the tibial bone — an injury that can lead to rapid joint deterioration if untreated. Repair involves reattaching the root back to the bone through a bone tunnel. This is the most technically demanding meniscal procedure and has the longest recovery (return to sport 6 months or more), but it offers the best chance of preserving joint function long term.
Recovery timelines vary between patients. Dr Mooney and the Orthopaedics 360 team will provide a personalised recovery plan.
No. Knee arthroscopy is almost always performed as a day procedure. You will go home the same day, usually within a few hours of surgery.
For a simple meniscal debridement, most patients can walk without crutches immediately after surgery, though some use them for comfort for 1–2 days. After a meniscal repair or root tear repair, crutches are used for 4–6 weeks to protect the repair while it heals.
MRI is the most useful investigation for diagnosing a meniscal tear. X-rays do not show the meniscus but are useful for assessing joint space and identifying arthritis. Dr Mooney will review your MRI and clinical examination to determine the best approach.
Knee arthroscopy for arthritis (lavage and debridement) is generally not recommended and is not performed by Dr Mooney for this indication. Evidence does not support it as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy is appropriate for mechanical symptoms — meniscal tears, loose bodies, and ligament conditions.
Fees are based on AMA recommended rates. Call the rooms for a fee estimate.
Dr Luke Mooney is an Adelaide orthopaedic surgeon who has built his surgical practice around hip and knee surgery. He trained in robotic-assisted joint replacement in Perth — one of the first surgeons in Australia to complete a dedicated robotic fellowship — and has since performed hundreds of hip and knee procedures at Orthopaedics 360 in Eastwood.
Dr Mooney is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. He holds the qualifications MBBS, FRACS, and FAOrthA. When you see Dr Mooney, you see Dr Mooney — at every appointment, at surgery, and at every follow-up.
About Dr Mooney →Call the rooms or submit an online enquiry. A GP referral is required for Medicare rebate purposes. Dr Mooney’s team will be in touch to confirm your appointment.