Keyhole (Arthroscopic) Surgery in Singapore
Dr Bryan Wang
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Trusted Orthopaedic Surgeon | Fellowship-trained in Canada With over 20 yrs of experience
Keyhole or arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique where an orthopaedic surgeon uses a small camera and specialised instruments through tiny incisions to diagnose and repair joint problems. It is commonly used to treat various condition of the knee, shoulder or elbow joints. The benefits of keyhole surgery are smaller scars, faster recovery, less pain and earlier return to work or sports.
What is Keyhole (Arthroscopic) Surgery and When is it Recommended?
Keyhole, or arthroscopic surgery, allows orthopaedic surgeons to see inside a joint using a tiny camera (arthroscope) connected to a high-definition monitor. Through 2-3 small incisions, your surgeon can diagnose and treat soft-tissue or cartilage injuries without large open cuts.
It usually recommended when symptoms / pain persists that may prompt surgical consideration or when conservative options fail. In regard to body joints, a Keyhole surgery is routinely performed on:
Keyhole surgery is preferred over open surgery for various beneficial reasons.
✅ It is minimally invasive - Small cuts (~5–10 mm) are made to insert the arthroscope thus preserving muscle and tissue.
✅ Less pain and swelling - The surrounding area has reduced inflammation as compared to open surgery.
✅ Faster recovery - It is often done as a day surgery thus reducing length of stay at the hospital and resumption of quicker rehabilitation.
✅ Precise diagnosis - High-resolution arthroscopic camera visualises cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
✅ Lower infection risk - As the incision is very small, there is only a small wound with minimal scarring thus reducing risk of infection.
Why Choose Keyhole Surgery?
Common Conditions Treated with Arthroscopic (Keyhole) Surgery
Knee Conditions
Meniscus tear (C-shaped cartilage acting as shock absorber): The meniscus cushions your knee joint and distributes weight evenly. Tears from twisting or sports injuries can cause pain, swelling or locking. Arthroscopy trims or repairs the torn segment through tiny incisions to restore smooth movement and prevent early arthritis. It may take 3-6 weeks to return to normal walking.
Anterior/Posterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL/PCL) tears: These central knee ligaments stabilise forward and backward motion. A torn ACL or PCL causes instability, giving-way episodes, and reduced sports performance. Arthroscopic ligament reconstruction using grafts rebuilds stability and protects the joint from further damage. It may take 6-9 months to return to sports.
Chondral injury or cartilage flap: Cartilage damage on the femur or tibia surface leads to painful “catching” or grinding. Arthroscopy smoothens or reattaches cartilage and sometimes uses microfracture techniques to stimulate healing.
Early knee osteoarthritis: In mild arthritis with localised cartilage damage, arthroscopy removes loose tissue (debridement) or creates small holes (microfracture) to stimulate new cartilage growth, easing symptoms and improving motion. May take about 2-4 weeks to reduce pain.
Loose bodies or synovitis: Small bone or cartilage fragments can float inside the joint, causing sudden locking or swelling. Arthroscopy allows precise removal and treatment of inflamed joint lining (synovectomy). Typical recovery may take 2-4 weeks.
Baker’s cyst: A Baker’s cyst forms when fluid builds up behind the knee due to underlying joint irritation. Arthroscopy addresses the root cause (e.g., meniscus tear or inflammation) to reduce recurrence. Recovery period may be 4-6 weeks depending on the cause of the cyst.
