At a glance
Arthroscopy is a procedure in which a surgeon inserts a thin camera into a joint to look inside it and, when needed, repair it during the same session. The word comes from the Greek for 'joint' and 'to look'. The camera, called an arthroscope, is about the width of a pencil and transmits a live image to a screen in the operating room.
Because the surgeon works through small cuts rather than opening the joint fully, surrounding muscles and tissues are disturbed as little as possible. Depending on what is found, the surgeon can insert additional thin instruments through nearby cuts to trim torn cartilage (the smooth cushioning tissue inside a joint), reconstruct ligaments (the tough bands that hold bones together), or flush out loose fragments of bone.
Medical Condition
Arthroscopy is used when imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans have not given a clear enough picture of what is wrong inside a joint, or when a known problem needs surgical treatment. It is most commonly performed on the knee, shoulder, and ankle, but can also be used on the hip, wrist, and elbow.
- Torn meniscus (the crescent-shaped cartilage pads in the knee)
- Torn or damaged rotator cuff (the group of tendons stabilising the shoulder)
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, a common knee ligament injury
- Recurrent shoulder dislocation caused by loose or torn stabilising tissue
- Loose bone or cartilage fragments floating inside a joint
- Synovitis (persistent inflammation of the joint lining) that has not responded to medication
- Cartilage damage from injury or early arthritis (wear of joint surfaces)
- Unexplained joint pain or swelling after other investigations have been inconclusive
Arthroscopy is generally not suitable when the joint is actively infected, when the patient has bleeding disorders that cannot be managed, or when general health is too poor to tolerate anaesthesia safely. Severe, advanced arthritis where the joint surfaces have been almost entirely worn away is usually better treated with joint replacement surgery rather than arthroscopy.
- Active joint infection (septic arthritis) requiring other treatment first
- Uncorrectable bleeding disorders
- Medical conditions that make anaesthesia unsafe
- End-stage joint destruction where arthroscopy cannot meaningfully improve the joint
Risks & Complications
Arthroscopy is generally well tolerated, and serious complications are uncommon, but no surgical procedure is without risk.
- Temporary pain and swelling inside the joint after the procedure
- Infection at the skin cuts or, rarely, inside the joint itself
- Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg, more likely after knee procedures
- Stiffness or limited range of motion during recovery
- Accidental injury to nearby cartilage, nerves, or blood vessels during instrument use
- Haemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint space) causing pain and swelling
- Fluid accumulation in the joint, sometimes requiring drainage
- Reactions to anaesthesia, including nausea or, very rarely, more serious effects
- Instrument breakage inside the joint, an uncommon but recognised event
- Need for a second procedure if the repair is incomplete or does not heal as expected
Preparation & Procedure
Before the procedure, the orthopaedic team will review your full medical history, including any medications you take. Blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and certain supplements are usually paused for a period set by the doctor, because they can affect bleeding during the operation. Smoking slows wound healing, and many teams ask patients to stop for several weeks beforehand.
You will be asked to stop eating solid food for at least six hours before the procedure and to stop drinking even clear fluids for at least two hours before. The exact fasting times depend on the type of anaesthesia planned and your hospital's protocol. Arrange for someone to take you home, as you will not be able to drive after anaesthesia.
Routine pre-operative tests often include a blood count, clotting tests, and sometimes an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check heart rhythm. An X-ray or MRI of the affected joint is usually already available from earlier investigations. Your anaesthetist may request additional tests based on your age and other health conditions.
- 1. You change into a hospital gown and an intravenous (IV) line is placed in your arm to deliver fluids and medication.
- 2. The anaesthesia team gives you either general anaesthesia (you are fully asleep), regional anaesthesia (a nerve block that numbs only the limb), or spinal anaesthesia, depending on which joint is being treated and your overall health.
- 3. The surgical team positions and secures the limb, then cleans the skin around the joint with antiseptic solution.
- 4. A tourniquet (an inflatable cuff that temporarily reduces blood flow) is sometimes placed on the limb above the joint to keep the operating field clear.
- 5. The surgeon makes two or three small cuts, usually less than one centimetre each, around the joint.
- 6. A sterile saline (salt water) solution is pumped into the joint to expand it and improve visibility.
- 7. The arthroscope is inserted through one cut, and the surgeon inspects the joint structures on the screen.
- 8. If repair is needed, thin surgical instruments are introduced through the other cuts to perform the work, such as trimming, stitching, or anchoring tissue.
- 9. The saline is drained, the instruments are removed, and the small cuts are closed with sutures or adhesive strips and covered with a dressing.
- 10. You are moved to a recovery area where vital signs are monitored until the anaesthesia wears off.
Aftercare
Many arthroscopy patients go home on the same day, but some stay overnight depending on the extent of the repair and the anaesthesia used. Recovery length varies widely: a simple diagnostic look inside the joint heals faster than a ligament reconstruction, which can take several months of rehabilitation.
- Keep the joint elevated and apply ice wrapped in a cloth for the first day or two to reduce swelling.
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, and follow the wound care instructions given by the team before discharge.
- Weight bearing and movement restrictions depend on what was done inside the joint; the surgeon will set these individually.
- Physiotherapy (rehabilitation exercises guided by a trained therapist) usually begins within days for simple procedures and within weeks for major repairs, and is central to regaining strength and range of motion.
- Pain is usually managed with oral pain relievers; any prescription for blood thinners to prevent clots should be taken for the full course.
- Avoid driving until the doctor confirms the joint is strong enough to react quickly, and avoid contact sports until cleared.
- Watch for warning signs that need prompt medical attention: increasing redness, warmth, or discharge from the cuts; a fever; sudden severe pain or swelling; or calf pain and leg swelling that could signal a clot.
- Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled within the first one to two weeks to check wound healing and then at regular intervals to assess joint recovery.
- Returning to heavy manual work or sport depends on the specific repair and varies from a few weeks to over a year.
Cost & What Determines It
The cost of arthroscopy varies widely because it depends on what the surgeon finds and decides to repair during the procedure, not just on the procedure itself. A diagnostic look that reveals nothing needing repair costs far less than a procedure that involves reconstructing a ligament or reattaching torn cartilage, even if both start the same way.
- Complexity of the repair: a simple trim of torn cartilage costs less than a full ligament reconstruction using a graft (a piece of tissue transplanted to rebuild the ligament)
- Number of problems addressed in one session: treating multiple structures at once adds to the cost
- Hospital class and country: private hospitals in major cities and hospitals in countries with higher operating costs charge more
- Anaesthesia type: general anaesthesia costs more than a nerve block done by a specialist
- Length of stay: day surgery is less expensive than an overnight or multi-day admission
- Implants and fixation devices: anchors, screws, or staples used to reattach tissue are billed separately and their price varies by brand and material
- Post-operative imaging: an MRI after surgery to verify the repair adds to the total
- Physiotherapy sessions: rehabilitation is a significant cost element that is often outside the surgical package
- Medication after discharge: pain relief and blood thinners for home use are usually billed separately
A hospital package for arthroscopy typically covers the operating room fee, the surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees, the arthroscope and basic instruments, nursing care during admission, and the first follow-up visit. Items that are often billed outside the package include implants, pre-operative blood tests and imaging ordered specifically for admission, physical therapy, and any medication dispensed on discharge.
BPJS Kesehatan and most Indonesian private insurance policies do not cover treatment received outside Indonesia, so patients travelling abroad for arthroscopy normally pay out of pocket or rely on an international private health insurance plan that explicitly covers overseas procedures. Before travelling, ask the hospital for a written cost estimate that lists what is and is not included in the quoted price. This estimate is the most reliable way to compare options and avoid unexpected charges on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does arthroscopy take?
Most arthroscopy procedures take between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on what the surgeon finds and repairs inside the joint. A straightforward diagnostic look around is quicker, while repairing a torn ligament or removing damaged cartilage takes longer. Your surgeon will give you a more specific estimate once they have reviewed your imaging results.
Will I be put to sleep, and how bad is the pain after?
Arthroscopy is usually done under general anaesthesia (fully asleep) or regional anaesthesia (the area below your waist is numbed), depending on which joint is being treated and your overall health. Most people feel soreness and swelling around the joint for a few days after the procedure, and doctors typically manage this with pain relief tablets and ice. The discomfort tends to ease noticeably within the first week.
How long is recovery, and when can I go back to work?
Recovery time varies widely depending on whether the procedure was purely diagnostic or involved a repair such as fixing a ligament or trimming cartilage. People with desk jobs often return to work within one to two weeks, while those doing physical labour or sport may need several weeks to a few months before they are fully active again. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will set a personal timeline based on which joint was treated and what was done.
How much does arthroscopy cost?
The cost depends on several factors specific to your case, including whether the procedure is diagnostic only or includes a repair, which joint is being treated, the type of anaesthesia used, and the class of hospital or facility you choose. If implants such as anchors or screws are needed to fix tissue, this adds to the overall cost. Requesting a written estimate from the hospital is the clearest way to understand the full breakdown for your situation.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
