The routine arthroscopic surgery would cost you about Rs.15,000/- to Rs.30,000/- which includes your hospital stay, surgical and anaesthesia charges, OT and consumable etc. In special arthroscopic procedures for example ACL/ PCL reconstruction, the cost would be about Rs.50,000/- to Rs.70,000/- depending upon the admission category and implant used ( subject to revision).Please ask your doctor for current estimates.

Although uncommon, complications do occur occasionally during or following arthroscopy. Infection, phlebitis (blood clots of a vein), excessive swelling or bleeding, damage to blood vessels or nerves and instrument breakage are the possible complications but occur in far less than 1 percent of all arthroscopic procedures.

Arthroscopy is a blood less surgery. It has very less morbidity compared to open joint surgery. This has resulted in less pain and stiffness, fewer complications, decreased length (if any) of hospitalization as most of the arthroscopic procedures are done as Day care surgery. The small incisions are closed by single stitch and most of patients are discharged walking same evening of surgery and has faster recovery times.

Recovery from arthroscopy is much faster than recovery from traditional open joint surgeries. Still it is important to follow instructions carefully after you return home.

Swelling : keep the operated limb elevated as much as possible for first few days. Apply ice as recommended by your doctor to relieve swelling and pain.

Wound care : Keep your wound and dressing clean and dry. Your wound should not come in contact with water. Change any bandage immediately if it becomes wet or bloody.

Activity : After most arthroscopic surgeries you can walk unassisted, but your surgeon may advise you to use a brace, crutches, a cane or a walker for a limited period of time after surgery. You can gradually put more weight on your leg as your discomfort subsides.

Medications : You may require pain medications for first few days. Antibiotics may be prescribed in major reconstructions surgeries.

Complications : Potential post operative problems with arthroscopy surgery include infections, blood clots in the legs and an accumulation of blood in the joint. These complications occur infrequently and are minor and easily treatable.

Warning signs : If you notice any of the following, call the concerned orthopaedic surgeon or orthopaedic duty doctor at Sant Parmanand Hospital

• Fever
• Chills
• Persistent warmth or redness around the operated joint
• Persistent or increased pain
• Excessive bleeding
• Tingling or numbness

Rehabilitation programme : Hospital physical therapist will instruct you for ambulation, range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises. Your doctor will specify when you should begin an exercise programme to gain motion and to strengthen muscles around the joint e.g. two commonly used exercises to strengthen the muscles above your knee are : quadriceps setting and straight leg raising exercises.

Arthroscopic surgery is very successful in relieving the pain and swelling from a torn meniscal cartilage. However, the results of arthroscopic surgery for arthritis alone are somewhat unpredictable. While it is relatively easy to excise or repair a torn meniscus, not much can be done if the articular cartilage is significantly frayed or worn from the ends of the bones (arthritis). Current technology does not allow surgical repair or regeneration of the surfacecartilage. In some select cases where only a small area (around one centimeter) of cartilage is missing from the ends of the bones, the bone can be drilled to stimulate a scar to form on the end of the bone. This scar may reduce the pain but it is not as good as normal cartilage. Overall, the results of arthroscopy in arthritic knee is unpredictable and is helpful in only those cases where there are mechanical symptoms due to torn meniscus or loose bodies.