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Orthopedic Surgery Procedure

Arthroscopy at the Orthopedic Surgeon

A plain-language guide to keyhole joint surgery. What it is, what it costs, how recovery works, and when a surgeon really recommends it.

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At a Glance

Procedure time30 to 90 min
AnesthesiaGeneral or regional
Hospital staySame day, go home
Recovery1 to 12 weeks
Typical self-pay$3,000-$12,000
Small cutsKeyhole. Usually two or three openings about the size of a buttonhole.
Most common jointKnee #1. Knees lead, then shoulders, ankles, hips, wrists, and elbows.
Home same dayOutpatient. You rarely stay overnight unless the repair is large.

What is arthroscopy?

Keyhole surgery, explained simply

Arthroscopy is keyhole surgery that lets a surgeon look inside a joint and fix problems through small cuts. A thin camera called an arthroscope shows the joint on a screen while tiny tools repair or clean the damage. Most people go home the same day.

Arthroscopy is surgery that lets a surgeon see and fix the inside of a joint without opening it up. The name comes from two Greek words that mean "to look at joints."

The surgeon makes a few small cuts near the joint. Through one cut goes a thin tool called an arthroscope. It holds a tiny camera and a light, sending a clear picture of your joint's interior to a screen in the room. Through the other cuts go small instruments that cut, trim, stitch, or smooth the damaged tissue.

Because the cuts are so small, surgeons often call this keyhole surgery. It can be done on almost any joint, but these are the most common:

  • Knee: torn meniscus, loose cartilage, worn lining
  • Shoulder: torn rotator cuff, labrum tears, bone spurs
  • Ankle and hip: trapped tissue, cartilage damage, bone spurs
  • Wrist and elbow: loose fragments, stiffness, inflamed lining

Arthroscopy can do two jobs in one visit. It shows the surgeon exactly what is wrong and fixes the problem in the same operation.

When do you actually need it?

Who it helps and who can skip it

Most people come to arthroscopy after other things have failed. A surgeon usually suggests it only when joint pain or locking has not improved after weeks or months of simpler care.

Your doctor will likely try these first:

  • Rest and changing the activity that hurts
  • Physical therapy to build the muscles around the joint
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine
  • A steroid shot in some cases
When surgery makes sense
Your joint catches, locks, or gives out. An MRI shows a clear tear or loose piece. If the pain limits your work or your sleep, those are signs the damage may need a hands-on repair.
When you may not need it
Arthroscopy is not a cure for general arthritis. Studies show that scraping out a worn, arthritic knee often gives no more relief than therapy alone. If the main problem is old, spread-out joint wear, a clean-out surgery may not help, and your surgeon should tell you so. Always ask what the surgery is meant to fix and what happens if you wait.

How do you get ready for it?

The week before and the day of

Good preparation makes the day go smoothly and lowers your risk.

A week or two before:

  • Tell your surgeon about every medicine and supplement you take. Blood thinners, aspirin, and some herbal pills may need to stop for a few days.
  • If you smoke, cutting back helps your joint heal.
  • Set up a ride home. You cannot drive after anesthesia.
  • Get your home ready. Clear walkways, and put what you use often within easy reach.

The day before:

  • You will likely be told not to eat or drink after midnight. Follow the exact time your team gives you.
  • Pack loose clothes that fit over a bandage or sling.
  • Charge your phone and bring your ID and insurance card.
The morning of
Take only the medicines your surgeon approved, with a small sip of water. Leave jewelry and contact lenses at home. Arrive on time so the team can check you in without a rush.

How is arthroscopy done, step by step?

What happens inside the operating room

Arthroscopy follows a clear set of steps, and the whole thing is usually quick.

  1. 1Anesthesia: You get medicine so you feel no pain. This may be general anesthesia, where you sleep, or a regional block that numbs just the limb. The team picks the safest choice for you.
  2. 2Cleaning and access: The skin over the joint is cleaned. The surgeon makes two or three small cuts, each about the size of a buttonhole.
  3. 3Fluid in: Sterile fluid flows into the joint to gently push it open. This gives the camera a clear view and washes away debris.
  4. 4The camera: The arthroscope goes in through one cut. The inside of your joint appears on a screen in sharp detail.
  5. 5The repair: Through the other cuts, the surgeon uses small tools to trim torn cartilage, stitch a tear, remove loose pieces, or smooth a rough surface.
  6. 6Closing up: The tools come out, the fluid drains, and each cut is closed with a stitch or small strips. A bandage goes on.

Most arthroscopies take 30 to 90 minutes. You wake up in a recovery area, and once you are steady, you go home the same day.

What does recovery look like?

A realistic week-by-week timeline

Recovery depends on the joint and on what the surgeon repaired. A simple clean-out heals faster than a full tear repair.

First few days
Expect some swelling and soreness. Rest, ice the joint, and keep it raised when you can. Take pain medicine as directed, and keep the bandage clean and dry.
First two weeks
Many people walk with help, return to a desk job, and start gentle motion. Your surgeon will tell you when the stitches come out.
Weeks three to six
Physical therapy usually begins or ramps up. This is the part that decides your long-term result. Doing the exercises matters more than the surgery itself for getting strength back.
Six weeks to a few months
A simple knee scope may feel close to normal in a month. A shoulder or large tear repair can take three to six months before you return to sports or heavy lifting.

Move at your team's pace, not the calendar's. Going back to hard activity too soon is a common reason repairs fail. Ask for clear limits on what you can and cannot do.

What are the risks you should know about?

Why this is surgery, not a quick fix

Arthroscopy is safer than open surgery, but it is still surgery, and real risks exist. Knowing them helps you spot trouble early.

Do not treat joint pain on your own with risky shortcuts. Some people try unproven injections, draining a joint at home, or strong online supplements to avoid surgery. These can cause infection, hide a worsening tear, or delay care you actually need. Joint problems need a trained eye and, often, imaging.

Watch for these warning signs after surgery and call your surgeon right away:

  • Infection: Growing redness, warmth, pus, or a fever over 101°F.
  • Blood clot: Calf pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, or sudden shortness of breath. A clot is a medical emergency.
  • Numbness or weakness: A nerve near the joint can be irritated, which usually fades but should be reported.
  • Pain that gets worse, not better, after the first few days.

Less common risks include stiffness, bleeding into the joint, and a repair that does not hold. Pick a surgeon who does this procedure often, and ask how many they do each year. Experience lowers your risk.

Does it actually work?

Success rates and honest limits

For the right problem, arthroscopy works well. Outcomes depend heavily on what is being fixed and on the joint.

Strong results
Repairs for a torn meniscus, a torn rotator cuff, a labrum tear, or removing a loose fragment have good track records. Most people get real, lasting pain relief and return to their activities.
Weaker results
When the underlying problem is widespread arthritis, a clean-out scope often gives little extra benefit over physical therapy. This is one of the most studied findings in orthopedics, so be cautious if surgery is offered mainly for general arthritis pain.

Your own result rests on three things: the right diagnosis, a skilled surgeon, and your effort in physical therapy afterward. The surgery opens the door, but the rehab walks you through it. People who follow their exercise plan do far better than those who stop early.

Ask your surgeon for an honest estimate based on your scan and your goals, not a general promise.

What does arthroscopy cost and how do you find a surgeon?

Real price ranges and your next step

Arthroscopy is surgery, so the price covers more than the surgeon. You pay for the operating room or surgery center, the anesthesia, and any implants used in a repair. The total varies a lot by joint, by city, and by whether a tear is stitched or simply trimmed.

A diagnostic knee scope sits at the low end; a shoulder repair with anchors runs toward the top. The table below shows realistic US ranges for the full bill.

How to lower your cost:

  • Ask if the surgery can be done at a surgery center instead of a hospital. Centers often cost much less.
  • Get the procedure codes (CPT codes) in advance and ask your insurer what you will owe.
  • If you pay cash, ask for a bundled price that covers the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility in one number.
Finding a surgeon
Look for a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who does arthroscopy on your specific joint often. Our directory lists 34,538 orthopedic surgeons across the country. You can search by location, read their training, and check which joints they focus on before you book a visit.
SituationTypical cost
Insured, in-network (deductible + coinsurance)$1,500-$5,000 out of pocket
Insured, high-deductible plan$3,000-$8,000 out of pocket
Medicare$300-$1,500 out of pocket after Part B
Self-pay / cash (full procedure)$3,000-$12,000

Ranges cover the full bill (surgeon, facility, and anesthesia) for common joints. A simple diagnostic knee scope falls at the low end; a shoulder or large tear repair with anchors falls at the high end. Always confirm your share with your insurer using the exact CPT codes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an arthroscopy take?

Most arthroscopies take 30 to 90 minutes. A simple look-and-clean is faster than a full repair. You will spend extra time before and after for prep and waking up from anesthesia, so plan for a few hours at the center.

Is arthroscopy a major surgery?

It is less invasive than open surgery because the cuts are small, but it is still real surgery with anesthesia and real risks. Take recovery seriously and follow your surgeon's instructions closely.

Will I be asleep during the procedure?

Often yes, under general anesthesia. Some joints can be done with a regional block that numbs only the limb while you stay awake or lightly sedated. Your team picks the safest option for you.

How soon can I walk or drive after a knee arthroscopy?

Many people walk with help the same day or the next day. Driving usually waits until you are off strong pain medicine and can move the joint safely, often one to two weeks. Ask your surgeon for your specific clearance.

Does insurance cover arthroscopy?

Most insurance plans cover it when a surgeon shows it is medically needed, such as a documented tear. You will still owe your deductible and coinsurance. Call your insurer with the procedure codes to learn your exact share.

What is the difference between arthroscopy and open surgery?

Arthroscopy uses a camera and small cuts, so there is less scarring and usually a faster recovery. Open surgery uses one large cut and is chosen when the repair is too big or complex for keyhole tools.

How painful is recovery?

Expect soreness and swelling for the first few days, managed with ice and pain medicine. A simple scope often feels much better within a week. A larger repair stays sore longer and needs months of physical therapy.

Can arthroscopy fix arthritis?

Not really. For widespread arthritis, a clean-out scope often gives no more relief than physical therapy. Arthroscopy works best for clear, specific damage like a torn meniscus or rotator cuff, not general joint wear.

Sources

Last updated June 2026. Reviewed against the cited sources; provider and cost data from CMS, updated monthly.

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Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about a medical condition. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Our editorial standards