The cost of arthroscopy can depend on the location under investigation, what happens during the procedure, and the level of anesthesia necessary for patient comfort and safety. Typically an arthroscopy is more expensive than a simple set of medical imaging studies and less costly than an open surgery. It can be an excellent option for diagnosis and treatment of a range of conditions. Patients with concerns about costs can discuss them with their physicians to determine if they qualify for financial assistance.
The level of anesthesia necessary can be an important contributing factor to the cost of arthroscopy. For local anesthesia, costs are much lower, as the patient does not need specialized monitoring. Regional anesthesia can be more expensive, as an anesthesiologist will need to administer anesthesia and may need to stay to monitor the patient. General anesthesia can be much more costly and requires special medical care to keep the patient safe.
Procedures that may take place during the arthroscopy can also add to the costs. If the surgeon just performs the procedure to look into a joint and determine what is going on inside, it may be relatively inexpensive. Collection of biopsy samples will add to the expense. Any kind of surgical procedure to repair the joint, remove bone fragments, and perform similar activities will also make it more expensive. In addition, the cost of arthroscopy can rise if complications develop in surgery and the care team has to perform emergency interventions.
The site of the arthroscopy procedure can also play a role. Knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and other joints all require different angles of approach. Surgeons will charge varying fees depending on where they need to go. A surgeon can keep the cost of arthroscopy low with minimal interventions during the procedure, but the baseline cost is usually not flexible. The surgeon needs to charge for the time, use of equipment, and other expenses, and these are fixed on the basis of the location.
A doctor may recommend an arthroscopy for diagnostic purposes, to evaluate the inside of a joint and look for sources of inflammation, pain, and other issues. It can also be performed for treatment, to address an ongoing problem with a joint. Patients can ask about the risks and benefits of different options, as well as the associated expenses. If a patient is worried about the cost of arthroscopy, the surgeon may be able to cut costs with some adjustments to the procedure.
