Level of knee functional limitations among patients after knee arthroscopy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Knee joint disorders are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions that frequently impair daily functional capacity. Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgical technique, is widely utilized for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of knee pathologies, offering reduced morbidity and expedited recovery. However, postoperative functional outcomes may be compromised by inadequate adherence to rehabilitation protocols. Objective This study aimed to assess postoperative functional limitations following knee arthroscopy. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) with 278 participants recruited via convenience sampling from public and private hospitals. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze demographic and functional outcomes. Results Among 278 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy, most were young males (91.0%) treated in private facilities (71.9%), with ACL reconstruction as the predominant procedure (62.6%). Overall, 66.9% reported clinically meaningful residual functional limitations, most commonly inhibited function (42.4%). Functional outcomes varied significantly by gender ( χ 2  = 19.7, p  < 0.001, V  = 0.27), with females disproportionately experiencing moderate impairment (60.0%) and by etiology ( χ 2  = 11.2, p  = 0.024, V  = 0.20), with osteoarthritis patients showing worse profiles than trauma cases. Procedure-specific differences were evident, with diagnostic arthroscopy yielding the best outcomes and ACL reconstruction the poorest. Findings are limited by small subgroup sizes, selection bias, and lack of long-term follow-up. Conclusion Post-arthroscopy functional limitations were prevalent, particularly among therapeutic cases and female patients. Disparities between public and private hospital outcomes suggest potential gaps in postoperative care. These findings underscore the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies and patient education to optimize functional recovery.