The association was initiated on 5 May 1981 at the Royal Society of Medicine when a meeting was held to discuss the formation of a group interested in knee surgery. The initial scientific meeting took place at Guy’s Hospital in October 1981 but the constitution was not written or officers elected until 1984. In subsequent years, the association was formalised, the constitution being approved in 1986, and the logos, notepaper and ties followed soon after. Initially, the membership was restricted to 50, but this later grew with the increasing interest in knee surgery.
Regular scientific meetings have been held. In addition, a number of educational courses have been started, guest lecturers have been invited to many of the meetings, fellowships have been awarded, and presidential medals have been awarded for outstanding presentations. Links with other associations have gradually developed, resulting in the combined meeting with the American Knee Society in 1997 and with the Australian Knee Society in 1999.