Knee arthroscopy abroad
From £2,124 at accredited European hospitals
What is knee arthroscopy?
Knee arthroscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery designed to diagnose and treat issues within the knee joint. During the procedure, a small camera, known as an arthroscope, is inserted into the knee through tiny incisions. This allows the surgeon to view the inside of the joint on a screen in real-time.
In addition to visualisation, the surgeon can use small surgical tools during knee arthroscopy to repair damage, such as removing torn cartilage or smoothing rough areas within the joint.
Because knee arthroscopy is less invasive than open surgery, recovery is generally faster than for more extensive knee procedures. Most patients are able to go home the same day. It is an effective option for addressing a range of mechanical knee conditions including meniscal tears, loose bodies and cartilage damage, but is not recommended for advanced osteoarthritis where it provides limited long-term benefit.
Through My Medical Gateway, knee arthroscopy is available at accredited hospitals in Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Spain, with packages starting from £2,124.
Who is a candidate?
Patients with mechanical knee symptoms such as locking, catching, or persistent pain not responding to conservative treatment.
Common indications:
- Meniscal tears
- Loose bodies in the joint
- Minor cartilage damage
- Synovial disease (e.g. inflammation).
Not typically recommended for advanced osteoarthritis as it provides limited long-term benefit.
Your My Medical Gateway-partnered specialist will carry out a thorough assessment before any treatment is confirmed. You will not proceed to surgery without a formal consultation and your fully informed consent.
Knee arthroscopy recovery timeline
May vary with provider
- Hospital stay: Usually day surgery (same-day discharge)
- Early recovery: Walking with full weight-bearing is often allowed immediately; crutches may be used briefly
- Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy may begin within days, focusing on range of motion and quadriceps strength
- Return to daily activities: Typically 1–2 weeks for most light activities
- Return to sports or heavy activity: 4–6 weeks depending on the procedure and rehabilitation.
What Is Included in a My Medical Gateway Treatment Package?
Treatment packages include:
- Pre-operative assessment and consultations with your specialist
- The surgical procedure, including all equipment and materials
- Hospital accommodation — knee arthroscopy is most commonly performed as day surgery, with same-day discharge
- Nursing care and post-operative guidance
- Post-operative follow-up with your surgical team.
Flights and accommodation in the destination country are not included in the prices shown.
Benefits of knee arthroscopy
- Minimally invasive procedure with smaller incisions
- Quick recovery and short hospital stay
- Can relieve mechanical symptoms (locking, catching)
- Diagnostic value: allows direct visualisation of disease within the joint.
Risks of knee arthroscopy
- Infection (rare but possible)
- Bleeding in the joint
- Blood clots (DVT)
- Damage to the knee cartilage, meniscus, or ligaments
- Persistent pain or swelling
- Rarely, stiffness or need for further surgery.
This is just an outline. The specialist orthopaedic surgeon at your chosen hospital will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.
Accredited Hospitals for knee arthroscopy
Our specialist surgeons
Every knee arthroscopy procedure through My Medical Gateway is performed by a named, qualified specialist orthopaedic surgeon at your chosen accredited hospital. All surgeons practise within nationally regulated healthcare systems and are credentialled in their field.
Your Accredited Hospital will introduce you to the specific surgeon who will be performing your procedure as part of the pre-operative consultation process. If you would like to know more about the surgical team at a specific hospital before enquiring, our UK-based team is happy to provide further detail.
Why choose My Medical Gateway?
My Medical Gateway is not a comparison site. We work with a carefully selected group of accredited European hospitals offering knee arthroscopy at a significantly lower cost than UK private surgery, with faster access than NHS waiting times.
All 9 hospitals offering this procedure have been assessed for clinical quality and safety before being made available to patients. When you enquire, you will speak with a member of our UK-based team who will guide you through your hospital options and support you throughout your journey.
Pricing table
| Hospital | Location | UK Private Cost | MMG Treatment Package | % Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meliva Kardiolita Hospital Vilnius | Vilnius, Lithuania | £3,922 | £2,124 | 46% |
| Meliva Kardiolita Hospital Kaunas | Kaunas, Lithuania | £3,922 | £2,124 | 46% |
| Nordorthopaedics clinic | Kaunas, Lithuania | £3,922 | £2,639 | 33% |
| Monza Hospital | Bucharest, Romania | £3,922 | £4,228 | — |
| Saint James Hospital | Sliema, Malta | £3,922 | £4,389 | — |
| Hospital HM Nou Delfos | Barcelona, Spain | £3,922 | £5,178 | — |
| Hospital HM Modelo | A Coruña, Spain | £3,922 | £5,178 | — |
| Hospital Universitario HM Madrid Río | Madrid, Spain | £3,922 | £5,178 | — |
| Hospital HM Málaga | Málaga, Spain | £3,922 | £5,178 | — |
Meliva Kardiolita Hospital Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania
Meliva Kardiolita Hospital Kaunas
Kaunas, Lithuania
Nordorthopaedics clinic
Kaunas, Lithuania
Monza Hospital
Bucharest, Romania
Saint James Hospital
Sliema, Malta
Hospital HM Nou Delfos
Barcelona, Spain
Hospital HM Modelo
A Coruña, Spain
Hospital Universitario HM Madrid Río
Madrid, Spain
Hospital HM Málaga
Málaga, Spain
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee arthroscopy is a relatively short procedure, typically taking between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours depending on what needs to be treated. A diagnostic arthroscopy may take less time than a procedure that also involves repairing a meniscal tear or removing loose bodies. Most patients are in the recovery room within a couple of hours of arriving in theatre and go home the same day.
No. Knee arthroscopy and knee replacement are very different procedures. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera to look inside the knee joint and treat specific conditions such as meniscal tears or loose bodies. No parts of the joint are replaced. Knee replacement removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with artificial implants. Arthroscopy is not a treatment for advanced osteoarthritis and does not replace the need for knee replacement in patients with severe joint damage.
Yes. Arthroscopy can be both diagnostic and therapeutic in the same procedure. The camera inserted through the small incisions allows the surgeon to view the inside of the joint directly and assess the condition of the cartilage, meniscus and ligaments in real time. If a treatable problem is identified, such as a meniscal tear or loose body, the surgeon can often address it in the same session using small surgical tools inserted through the same incisions.
Knee arthroscopy is effective at resolving specific mechanical problems such as a torn meniscus or loose body. However, it does not slow or reverse the progression of arthritis. Patients with underlying osteoarthritis may find that symptoms return over time as the condition progresses. Your surgeon will give you a realistic picture of the expected outcome based on your specific diagnosis and the findings from the procedure.
All knee arthroscopy procedures through My Medical Gateway are performed by named, specialist orthopaedic surgeons practising within nationally regulated healthcare environments. You are encouraged to ask your chosen hospital to introduce you to the surgeon performing your procedure during your pre-operative consultation. You can enquire about their specific experience with knee arthroscopy, including the number of procedures they have performed and the implant systems they use. Your Accredited Hospital will not proceed with any treatment without your fully informed consent.