Arthroscopy vs arthroplasty

Updated on - -02 Feb 2026

Joint pain or limited mobility can make everyday activities, like walking, climbing stairs or even getting out of bed, challenging and frustrating. If conservative treatments such as medication or physiotherapy are not enough, surgical options may become necessary. Two common procedures, arthroscopy and arthroplasty, offer solutions, but they serve very different purposes.

Understanding what each entails, their recovery, risks and long-term outcomes can help you make an informed decision about which option may be right for your lifestyle and health needs.

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon uses an instrument called an arthroscope. This is a small tube with a light and a camera that allows the surgeon to examine the inside of a joint through tiny incisions. It helps diagnose and treat joint problems without affecting the surrounding tissue.

Recovery is typically quicker, and scars are smaller compared to traditional open surgery. In some cases, arthroscopy can help avoid the need for major surgery when joint damage is minimal.

What is arthroplasty?

Arthroplasty is an extensive surgical procedure where a diseased joint is replaced with an exact artificial replica. In this procedure, general or regional anaesthesia is first administered to the patient, after which the surgeon makes an incision to remove and replace the affected joint. The incision is then closed with sutures of staples. Depending on the damage, the surgeon may choose to replace either half or the entire joint. Arthroplasty is performed mostly in the hip and knee joints. Arthroplasty is recommended only when other conventional methods such as medication and physiotherapy do not help to ease the symptoms.

Arthroplasty is used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, severe joint pain, joint deformities and osteonecrosis.

Being a major surgery, the recovery time after arthroplasty may vary between 3-6 months. Patients may need continuous rehabilitation to regain full joint function.

Understanding the key differences between arthroscopy and arthroplasty

Even though both of these procedures are related to joints, they differ greatly in recovery, intent and scale. Here's how:

Conditions treated by arthroscopy and arthroplasty

These two procedures treat different joint conditions based on the severity of damage.

Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is typically used when joint symptoms are moderate and the damage can be managed with a less invasive repair. Common situations include:

• Early joint inflammation or synovitis, especially in younger patients
• Loose fragments of cartilage or bone inside a joint
• Torn cartilage, such as a meniscus tear in the knee or torn ligaments

Arthroplasty: Arthroplasty is considered when joint damage is advanced and requires replacement. It may be indicated for:

• Post-traumatic arthritis, where previous injuries have led to joint destruction
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions causing severe joint surface damage
• Severe osteoarthritis, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the hips or knees

Procedure and recovery comparison

Here is a proper insight into the recovery and procedure of arthroscopy and arthroplasty:

Arthroscopy

• The surgeon makes small incisions and then inserts the arthroscope to intervene and get a proper view of the joint.
• The procedure might take 1 to 2 hours, depending on what is being done.
• Usually, patients get discharged on the same day, or a one-night hospital stay is enough.
• Since the incisions are small, there is less blood loss and pain and quicker recovery.

Arthroplasty

• The surgeon removes the injured joint surfaces and then replaces them with prosthetic components, such as ceramic, plastic or metal.
• The operation might take 2-3 hours or more, and the hospital stay might range from several days to a week. It can be more, depending on your condition.
• Early mobilisation is highly encouraged (walking with support and getting up). However, complete recovery can take months. Here, physical therapy plays an essential part in regaining function, mobility and strength.

Benefits and risks of arthroscopy

Before you opt for this procedure, you should have a proper understanding of its risks and benefits:

Benefits

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, which means smaller incisions, less tissue damage and generally faster recovery with reduced pain compared to open joint surgery. Patients can often resume light activities sooner, which minimises time away from daily routines and work. The procedure also carries a lower risk of infection than more extensive surgeries.

Risks

Even though arthroscopy is considered minor surgery, it still involves certain risks. These can include damage to blood vessels or nerves, infection, bleeding or instrument malfunction.

The procedure may not fully address advanced joint damage, providing symptom relief without completely resolving the underlying problem. Rehabilitation is necessary and patients may experience pain, limited motion or swelling if post-operative therapy is not followed properly.

Benefits and risks of arthroplasty

Benefits

Arthroplasty can significantly reduce chronic pain after joint replacement, allowing patients to perform daily activities with greater ease. By restoring joint function and mobility, it helps individuals walk, move and climb more comfortably. Improved mobility and reduced pain often lead to greater independence and the ability to enjoy a more active lifestyle, enhancing overall quality of life.

Risks

As a major surgical procedure, arthroplasty carries higher risks compared to minimally invasive surgeries. Potential complications include implant loosening or wear, nerve damage, blood clots and infection. Recovery is longer and more demanding, requiring activity restrictions, consistent physiotherapy and time to adjust to the new joint. Over time, implants can wear out or fail, which may necessitate revision surgery.

Cost comparison: Arthroscopy vs arthroplasty

Cost is an important consideration when choosing between arthroscopy and arthroplasty, and it can vary depending on factors such as implant quality, surgeon expertise, city, hospital and post-operative care. Arthroscopy is generally less expensive because it is minimally invasive, involves smaller incisions, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery.

Arthroplasty, on the other hand, tends to be more costly due to the use of implants, longer hospitalisation, extensive rehabilitation and higher surgical risks. For patients, this means arthroscopy may be suitable if joint damage is detected early, while arthroplasty can provide a more durable long-term solution for severely damaged joints, despite the higher upfront cost.

Insurance coverage for arthroscopy and arthroplasty

When you have a health insurance, it can affect your decision-making for either procedure. Let’s take a look at how insurance can help in these two surgical procedures:

• The policy might cover post-operative care, hospitalisation, surgery and in some cases, rehabilitation, depending on the conditions and terms.
• In general, both procedures can be covered under your policy if the surgery is medically necessary, conducted in a recognised hospital and falls under the policy’s list of covered procedures.
• Always inform the insurance firm and ensure pre-authorisation if it's needed. Not doing so can lead to claim denial/refusal.

Note: This is an indicative list. Please check policy wording for details.

Conclusion

Understanding arthroscopy and arthroplasty helps you make informed decisions about joint care, balancing severity, risks, recovery and costs. Consulting a certified orthopaedic surgeon ensures the right procedure at the right time, while reviewing your critical illness insurance plan safeguards your finances during treatment and rehabilitation.

Combining medical guidance with insurance awareness empowers you to protect both your health and financial well-being. For personalised advice on health insurance, fill out the form on this page today.

FAQs

1. Can arthroscopy delay the need for arthroplasty?

Yes, in many cases, arthroscopy might relieve the symptoms, repair the tissue and enable you to delay a major joint replacement. However, it might not always prevent the need for arthroplasty when the joint damage progresses.

2. Is the recovery time much shorter with arthroscopy than with arthroplasty?

Yes, it’s because arthroscopy is less invasive and also involves smaller incisions. You might return to your day-to-day activities sooner. Arthroplasty involves much more extensive surgery and also rehabilitation.

3. Will the health insurance policy cover both surgeries equally?

Not necessarily. The policy may have different terms for the major versus minor surgeries, for post-operative care, for physiotherapy and for implants. Always check the policy documents and consult with the insurer to understand the coverage well.

4. What factors should one consider before picking between arthroscopy and arthroplasty?

You should consider the severity of the joint damage, symptoms, surgeon recommendation, your age, cost, activity level and how the health insurance policy might cover the after-care and procedure. Having realistic expectations about the long-term results and recovery is also important.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.