Some parts of an arthroscopic surgery have different costs. The total cost of an arthroscopic surgery does not only entail paying a surgeon; it also involves paying for the administration of anesthesia, for example. Multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests might also be required to identify what is wrong and later to ensure everything is right. Hospital stays before and after the surgery are sometimes required, in addition to the costs of various doctor visits leading up to the arthroscopic surgery.
Paying the surgeon who is performing the arthroscopic surgery can represent a key part of the total arthroscopic surgery costs. Different hospitals and surgeons often charge varying amounts for the same surgery, in addition to the surgeons having differing levels of experience with the surgery. Another key part of the actual surgery that represents a significant cost is the administration of anesthesia. Arthroscopic surgery typically requires general anesthesia, though the amount required for a particular person, and thus the cost, varies.
If the patient receiving arthroscopic surgery needs to stay in the hospital before or after the surgery, this will involve additional arthroscopic surgery costs. Hospital food and the use of a bed alone can add a significant amount to the total cost. Additional medical care or observation that is required before or after the surgery will entail more charges.
An MRI is another essential part of an arthroscopic surgery, and it might represent a not inexpensive amount of a patient’s arthroscopic surgery costs. The reason MRI scans are used instead of other technologies, such as x-rays or x-ray computed tomography scans, is because the former offers more contrast between different substances within the human body, so more actionable information can be gathered. MRIs can help identify the type and extent of the joint damage that is to be fixed through arthroscopic surgery. The costs of an MRI scan can be expensive, though they are sometimes overlooked when considering the overall arthroscopic surgery costs. More than one MRI scan may be necessary, as it is generally considered important to observe the state of the post-operation joint to make sure that everything has gone well.
Leading up to a surgery, multiple doctor visits may be needed to determine what is wrong. This may include multiple tests and referrals to a different doctor. These costs, while additional to the arthroscopic surgery, represent another aspect of the total cost of an arthroscopic surgery.