Advanced Knee Arthroscopy & Meniscal Repair Surgery in Marylebone, Chelsea & Richmond
Knee pain that develops after a sudden twist, gradual wear can be frustrating and disruptive. Many patients describe symptoms such as clicking, catching, locking or a feeling that the knee is giving way. When these mechanical symptoms persist, they can limit everyday movement and physical activity.
Mr Sivan Sivaloganathan specialises in knee arthroscopy and meniscal surgery, offering minimally invasive treatment for meniscal tears, mechanical knee symptoms and injuries. Care is focused on accurate diagnosis, tissue preservation and long-term joint health.
Understanding Knee Arthroscopy & Meniscal Injuries
Knee arthroscopy is a form of keyhole surgery that allows the inside of the knee joint to be examined and treated using a high-definition camera and specialised instruments. The procedure is performed through small incisions, avoiding the need for large open surgery.
One of the most common conditions treated with knee arthroscopy is a meniscal tear. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage structure that acts as a shock absorber and stabiliser within the knee. It helps distribute load, protect joint surfaces and maintain smooth movement.
Meniscal tears can occur due to knee injuries, sudden twisting movements or gradual degeneration over time. Tear patterns vary and may include radial, horizontal, bucket-handle or complex tears. Depending on the type and location of the tear, symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness and mechanical locking.
Knee arthroscopy allows a range of procedures to be performed, including diagnostic arthroscopy, meniscal repair, removal of damaged meniscal tissue when repair is not possible, and treatment of knee cysts or other mechanical problems.
This minimally invasive approach, often referred to as keyhole knee surgery, helps reduce recovery time, minimise scarring, and improve overall patient outcomes.
Many patients ask whether surgery is necessary. If mechanical symptoms such as locking or catching develop, keyhole surgery is very likely to be beneficial. Recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed. Meniscal repairs take longer to heal than partial meniscectomy, but they preserve more natural knee function in the long term.
The Arthroscopic Procedure & Key Benefits
The Arthroscopic Procedure
Before surgery, a detailed assessment is carried out, including clinical examination and MRI review. This allows accurate identification of the tear type and planning of the most appropriate treatment.
During knee arthroscopy, small incisions are made to introduce a camera and specialised instruments into the joint as part of knee arthroscopy and meniscal surgery. The camera provides a clear, magnified view of the knee structures, allowing precise treatment. Decisions are made intra-operatively on whether the meniscus should be repaired or selectively trimmed, with preservation prioritised wherever possible.
The procedure is typically performed as a day case or short-stay surgery. Anaesthesia options are discussed in advance, and patients are guided through what to expect before and after the operation.
Meniscal Repair & Preservation
Preserving meniscal tissue is a key principle of modern knee surgery. Where suitable, advanced repair techniques are used to stabilise the tear and allow healing. Meniscal preservation helps protect the knee from early arthritis and supports long-term joint health.
These techniques are commonly performed using keyhole knee surgery, which minimises tissue damage, reduces recovery time, and supports optimal surgical outcomes.
In selected cases, biologic or regenerative techniques may be used alongside repair to optimise healing. When repair is not appropriate, only the damaged portion of the meniscus is removed to maintain as much normal structure as possible.
Key Benefits of Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. Incisions are small, typically two to three keyhole cuts, resulting in minimal scarring and reduced post-operative pain. Recovery is significantly faster, and complications are less common.
The procedure allows accurate diagnosis and treatment in a single operation, supporting quicker return to daily activities and knee while preserving joint health for the future.
Recovery After Meniscus Surgery
Most patients are able to return home on the same day of surgery, with mobility aids provided if needed. Crutches may be required for a few days up to two weeks, depending on the procedure performed.
Rehabilitation is structured and progressive. The early phase focuses on reducing swelling and restoring movement. Strength and balance exercises are introduced gradually, followed by knee-specific rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation timeline for meniscus repair:
- 0–2 weeks: Protection of the repair and keep the knee in extension
- 2–6 weeks: Progressive range of motion with increasing flexion by 30 degrees every 2 weeks
- 8 weeks onwards: Full range of motion including deep flexion and strengthening exercises
Meniscal repairs require a longer recovery period than partial meniscectomy, but they offer better long-term joint preservation.
Who Benefits from Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is particularly suitable for athletes with knee injuries, patients with meniscal tears causing mechanical symptoms, individuals with knee cysts affecting function, and those with persistent knee pain that has not responded to conservative treatment. Active patients seeking to maintain their lifestyle often benefit from this minimally invasive approach.
Why Choose Mr Sivan Sivaloganathan for Your Knee Arthroscopy
Mr Sivaloganathan is dual fellowship-trained in complex knee surgery and trauma, with advanced specialist training at Imperial College Healthcare Trust and the Complex Hip and Knee Unit in Montreal, Canada. He is an Imperial College London medical graduate and holds an MSc in Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine.
Mr Sivaloganathan has extensive experience in meniscal repair and arthroscopic techniques, with a strong focus on knee preservation and joint-conserving surgery. Internationally, he is part of the Global Visiting Surgeon Programme, where surgeons from around the world observe and learn his advanced surgical methods. Mr Sivaloganathan is also an invited faculty speaker at international meetings and a published researcher in personalised knee care.
A former British Army Medical Officer with operational deployment in Afghanistan, Mr Sivaloganathan brings military-grade precision, discipline and attention to detail to every procedure. His service has been recognised with the Herrick Medal with clasp and the NATO Medal.
Patients benefit from comprehensive care, from initial assessment and imaging review through surgery and rehabilitation.
Consultations are available in Marylebone, Chelsea and Richmond/Chiswick, with flexible appointments from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. Facilities are modern, fully accessible and inclusive, with on-site parking available.
Book a Knee Arthroscopy Consultation
If knee pain, locking or instability is limiting your activity, a specialist assessment can determine whether knee arthroscopy or meniscal surgery is appropriate.
Book your expert consultation today.
Email: abigail.ballard@medicineinmotion.info
Telephone: (+44) 7823 701873
Knee Arthroscopy & Meniscal Surgery FAQs
What is knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure offered by Mr Sivaloganathan to diagnose and treat knee issues like pain, injuries, or mechanical symptoms, often involving meniscal surgery for repairs or tears.
When is meniscal surgery recommended ?
Mechanical symptoms (locking, clicking) or chronic pain
How does Mr Sivaloganathan use arthroscopy for knee problems?
Mr Sivaloganathan performs knee arthroscopy to address knee pain, mechanical symptoms, and injuries, combining it with meniscal repair or other surgeries for effective management.
What are the benefits Mr Sivaloganathan offers with knee arthroscopy and meniscal surgery?
These procedures help alleviate knee pain, repair damage from injuries or knee, and prevent progression to conditions like osteoarthritis, with quicker recovery compared to open surgery.
What sets Mr Sivaloganathan apart in knee arthroscopy?
With a background in complex knee trauma from Imperial College and operational experience in the British Army, Mr Sivaloganathan offers expert, holistic care in arthroscopy and meniscal surgery.