Glossary
Portals (keyhole incisions)
Quick answer
Portals are the small keyhole cuts, usually under one centimetre each, through which the camera and instruments enter the knee during arthroscopy. Most knee procedures need two or three, says Dr. Pablo Gelber, the knee surgeon who operates at Aman Hospital in Doha, Qatar.
What they are
A portal is simply an entry point into the joint. The two standard portals sit on either side of the patellar tendon, just below the kneecap: one for the arthroscope and one for instruments such as shavers, probes and suture devices.
Extra portals are added when the surgeon needs to reach a particular corner of the knee, for example the back of the meniscus or a cartilage defect. Their position is chosen to avoid nerves, vessels and tendons.
Why they matter for patients
Small portals mean less damage to the skin and muscle than an open incision, which is one reason keyhole surgery usually allows earlier walking and less pain. The scars typically fade to small marks over the following months.
Some operations, such as ACL reconstruction, combine portals with a slightly longer cut to harvest a graft or drill a tunnel. Your surgeon will explain in advance where every incision will be.
Caring for them after surgery
Portals are closed with a stitch or adhesive strips and covered with a dressing. Keep them clean and dry until they have sealed, usually around 10 to 14 days, and avoid swimming pools and the sea until then. Redness spreading from a portal, fluid leaking after the first few days, or fever should be checked promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Will the portal scars be noticeable?
Most portal scars are small and fade with time. Protecting them from strong sun for several months, which matters in Qatar, helps them settle to a lighter colour.
Why is fluid leaking from one of my portals?
A little leakage of the fluid used during surgery is common in the first day or two. Leakage that continues, smells or comes with redness and fever should be seen quickly.
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