Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that doctors use to observe, diagnose and treat joint disorders. Compared to open joint surgery, arthroscopy is minimally invasive and requires less rehabilitation time after the procedure. The procedure has proven effective in treating chronic pain, deformities, and joint injuries.
Arthroscopy is often prescribed when conservative therapy does not produce the desired results. In this case, the procedure helps the doctor to diagnose and treat the joint. At present, this method has become firmly established in surgical practice, and doctors resort to classic ‘open’ surgery only in severe cases, such as the treatment of malignant tumours.
Advantages of arthroscopic surgery:
- High diagnostic accuracy of the method. With arthroscopy, the doctor can make a diagnosis with 100% accuracy.
- Low level of trauma. During arthroscopy, the doctor makes an incision of up to 5 mm, so the recovery period is faster and less painful than with open surgery.
- Minimal postoperative risks. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, complications such as bleeding and infection are unlikely.
- No large scar after the procedure. The only reminder that the patient underwent arthroscopy will be a small scar on the side of the patella. For comparison, with open surgery, the scar can be up to 20 centimetres long.
- Short hospital stay — up to 2 days.
- No need for a cast.
- Patient reviews of arthroscopy indicate that the procedure is easily tolerated and recovery is rapid. In most cases, patients can return to their normal lives within two weeks.
- Arthroscopic surgery is effective in 99% of cases for treating meniscus injuries.
In addition, there are innovative methods of arthroscopy. Israeli clinics perform InSpace Balloon surgery, which has proven effective in 85% of patients. The method is relevant for rotator cuff tears. During the procedure, the doctor implants a balloon into the area of the damaged tendons. After the balloon is in place, it is filled with saline solution to ensure smooth sliding between the shoulder bones. After the procedure, the patient can undergo painless physical therapy, which can potentially eliminate or postpone the need for more extensive shoulder surgery.
If you need joint examination and treatment, arthroscopy is a reliable and effective method. Make an appointment for the procedure at one of the clinics abroad. Leave your request on the MediGlobus website.
Read: Diagnostics before joint arthroscopy
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends arthroscopy if the patient has a pathology that cannot be treated with conservative therapy but is not at the stage where endoprosthetics — complete or partial joint replacement — is required. Before arthroscopy, tests are performed to assess the condition of the joint:
- specialist consultation;
- laboratory tests;
- MRI/CT scan;
- ultrasound.
When is arthroscopy used?
A patient may need arthroscopy if they have joint pain, swelling or stiffness. The procedure is also performed to assess the extent of joint damage resulting from sports injuries or osteoarthritis. For therapeutic purposes, arthroscopy is used for:
- repairing damaged cartilage;
- removing fragments of loose bone or cartilage;
- draining excess fluid (in cases of arthritis or bursitis);
- treating carpal tunnel syndrome and temporomandibular joint disorder.
What types of arthroscopy are there?
| Knee arthroscopy | Performed to diagnose and repair ligament or meniscus damage. |
| Ankle arthroscopy | The examination helps to identify ligament tears, inflammation and fractures of the ankle joint. The procedure is often performed for athletic injuries. |
| Hip arthroscopy | Relevant for injuries, degenerative and destructive processes. |
| Shoulder arthroscopy | Used for shoulder cuff tears, damage to the joint surface or tendons, as well as for dislocations and limited joint mobility. |
| Elbow arthroscopy | Used for problems with bending and straightening the arms in diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, synovitis, etc. |
How is arthroscopic surgery performed?
Arthroscopy is performed under different types of anaesthesia (general, spinal or local), depending on the type of surgery. The anaesthesiologist selects the type of anaesthetic after examining and consulting with the patient. Before the operation, the affected joint area is treated, and several small incisions of a few millimetres are made. This is necessary so that the doctor can insert the arthroscope and a thin surgical instrument into the joint cavity.
For a better view during the operation, the joint is filled with sterile fluid. The surgeon then examines the inside of the joint, diagnoses the problem and decides whether surgery is necessary. If surgery is required, the doctor inserts special instruments and performs the necessary procedure. If the surgeon decides that the patient needs classic ‘open’ surgery to solve the problem, they can perform it simultaneously with arthroscopy. After the procedure, the arthroscope and surgical instruments are removed along with excess fluid from the joint. The incisions are closed with special tape or sutures and covered with a sterile bandage.
The surgery usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the type of procedure being performed. For example, arthroscopic meniscus surgery takes less than an hour, while hip arthroscopy takes about two hours.
Rehabilitation after arthroscopy
The time required for recovery after arthroscopic surgery depends on the joint and the specific procedure. The hospital stay is usually no more than two days. Often, the patient can return to work and light physical activity within a few weeks. More strenuous physical activity is contraindicated for several months.
After surgery, patients sometimes experience pain in the joint. Painkillers can help manage the discomfort. The doctor will also prescribe aspirin or other medications to prevent blood clots. Depending on which joint was operated on, the patient may need crutches, a splint or an orthosis during recovery. For example, during rehabilitation after shoulder arthroscopy, the patient wears an orthotic bandage for several weeks to keep the limb in the correct position.
In general, rehabilitation after arthroscopic surgery is faster and less painful than after open surgery. The doctor will also select a set of safe exercises or prescribe physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles and speed up recovery after arthroscopy.
Possible complications after joint arthroscopy
Arthroscopy carries risks, which may include infection, damage to blood vessels or nerves, bleeding, and swelling. However, thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, these postoperative complications occur in only one out of 100 cases. If the patient has a fever, increased pain, numbness, tingling, or swelling, they should consult a doctor and come in for a follow-up examination.
How much does arthroscopy cost, and where can it be performed?
The decision to undergo arthroscopy should be entrusted to a qualified doctor, and only after examination and thorough testing. Despite the safety of the procedure, we still recommend contacting foreign clinics with experienced surgeons and specialised operating rooms. Such conditions are available at the following hospitals:
Liv Hospital (Turkey)
Koç University Hospital (Turkey)
Samsung Medical Centre in South Korea
Assuta Clinic in Israel
Debling Medical Centre in Austria
Munich Orthopaedic Centre OST in Germany
Malvazinky Clinic in the Czech Republic
Kardiolita Clinic in Lithuania
Quirónsalud Torrevieja Clinic in Spain
The cost of arthroscopy depends on the joint being treated and the type of procedure. Diagnostic arthroscopy is less expensive than therapeutic arthroscopy, as the latter involves surgery on the joint. The price of arthroscopy is also influenced by the country chosen and the level of the clinic. In medical centres in Turkey and South Korea, the cost of surgery is 30-40% lower than in clinics in Germany, Austria or Israel. For example, the cost of knee arthroscopy in Turkey starts from $2,500, while a similar procedure in Israel will cost at least $5,000. The table below shows approximate prices for different types of procedures.
| Country | Cost |
| Ankle arthroscopy | from $2,500 |
| Wrist arthroscopy | from $3,800 |
| Shoulder arthroscopy | from $3,800 |
| Country | Cost |
| Knee arthroscopy | from $2,800 |
| Hip arthroscopy | from $3,000 |
Reviews of arthroscopy in foreign clinics
Clinic: Liv Clinic
Procedure: Knee arthroscopy
Patient from: Kyiv
Vitaliy: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Ramazan Erden Erturer and the entire staff of the Liv Clinic for the excellent knee arthroscopy. For a long time, I suffered from knee pain that prevented me from living a full life. I decided to go to Turkey because treatment in Ukraine was not helping. After consulting with Professor Ertyurer, I decided to have arthroscopy. The operation was successful, and I was able to return home after just a few days. I would like to note the doctor’s high level of professionalism. He is not only an experienced surgeon, but also a sensitive person who treats his patients with care. I would also like to thank the entire staff of the Liv Clinic for their care and attention. Thanks to them, my days in the hospital were comfortable and problem-free. I am very pleased with the result of the operation and recommend Professor Erturer to anyone who has problems with their knee joints. Thank you very much! I would like to add that after the operation, I underwent a course of rehabilitation in my own country, which helped me to fully restore the mobility of my knee joint.”
Summary
- Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that doctors use to observe, diagnose and treat joint disorders.
- The procedure is often prescribed when conservative therapy does not produce the desired results.
- Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. During the procedure, the doctor makes an incision of up to 5 mm, so the recovery period is faster and less painful than with open surgery.
- There are innovative methods of arthroscopy. Israeli clinics perform InSpace Balloon surgery, which has proven effective in 85% of patients.
- Before arthroscopy, tests are performed to assess the condition of the joint: specialist consultation, laboratory tests, MRI/CT, and ultrasound.
- The procedure usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the type of procedure being performed.
- Arthroscopy carries risks, which may include infection, damage to blood vessels or nerves, bleeding, and swelling.
- However, thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, these postoperative complications occur in only one out of 100 cases.
- Despite the safety of the procedure, we still recommend going to foreign clinics where there are experienced surgeons and specialised operating rooms. Such conditions exist in hospitals in Israel, Korea, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Turkey.
If you need arthroscopy, the MediGlobus team will help you find a doctor and clinic abroad. Submit your request via the ‘Get a free consultation’ button or call us at +38 095 836 81 98, and our specialist will contact you shortly. MediGlobus services are free of charge.
