Arthroscopic knee surgery is conducted to repair damage to the various structures of the knee–such as tendons, ligaments and cartilage–using a device called an arthroscope. The procedure may involve the removal of debris or smoothing of bony structures to joint realignment and grafting.

The less invasive nature of an arthroscope, which is a small lighted scope attached to a monitor, allows for smaller incisions and thus are usually associated with quicker recovery.

Further Reading:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Knee Arthroscopy

BioMet: Arthroscopic Surgery / The Knee