Innovative Needle Arthroscopy Helps Reduce Opioid Use and Speeds Knee Surgery Recovery

A new study shows that patients undergoing knee surgery recover faster and rely on fewer pain medications when surgeons use a cutting-edge “needle” technique instead of traditional arthroscopy.

Published in the February 2026 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedics, the research found that patients who received minimally invasive needle arthroscopy used half as many opioids in the first 24 hours after surgery. They also experienced better early knee function compared to those who underwent standard arthroscopic procedures.

“This study reinforces that smaller, less invasive approaches can make a meaningful difference in how patients experience recovery,” said lead author Dr. Chad Lavender, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Smaller Tools, Bigger Impact

The study evaluated 81 patients in total—41 treated with needle arthroscopy and 40 with conventional arthroscopy. All participants required surgery to clean up damaged or torn cartilage.

Needle arthroscopy involves inserting a slender, needle-like tube equipped with a light and camera through a very small incision in the knee. At roughly 1.9 millimeters in diameter, the needle arthroscope is less than half the size of the 4-millimeter scope used in standard arthroscopy.

Because the procedure is so minimally invasive, patients can stay fully awake, typically needing only a local anesthetic to numb the joint.

Significantly Lower Opioid Use

One of the most important findings: patients who had needle arthroscopy needed an average of 1.3 opioid pills the day after surgery—compared with 2.7 pills among those who received traditional arthroscopy.

While both groups showed similar recovery outcomes after six weeks, the needle-arthroscopy group reported less early discomfort and a quicker return to daily activities.

Supporting Efforts to Reduce Opioid Dependence

“By reducing post-operative pain and the need for opioid medications, we can help patients return to their normal lives faster while supporting broader efforts to combat opioid dependency,” Lavender said.

This is especially significant at a time when communities across the country continue working to prevent misuse of powerful synthetic drugs like FYL and XYL, and to expand access to lifesaving treatments such as Naloxone.

Source: JCESOM