Concierge orthopaedic surgery · London
Private diagnostic arthroscopy in London, a scope inside the joint.
Direct inspection of the joint when MRI leaves questions — with the option to treat findings at the same session, by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Why patients choose us
- 01
MRI first, always
We do not send anyone to arthroscopy without a good MRI in front of the surgeon first.
- 02
Sub-speciality surgeons
A knee surgeon does your knee, a shoulder surgeon does your shoulder. No all-rounders.
- 03
Treat in the same session
If the finding is clear-cut and consented, the surgeon deals with it there and then.
Indicative pricing
What a private diagnostic arthroscopy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner surgeons and units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A diagnostic knee arthroscopy in our network: £3,500–£7,000, with findings on the day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Findings turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic knee arthroscopy | £3,500–£7,000 | Half-day | Same-day |
| Diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy | £3,800–£7,500 | Half-day | Same-day |
| Diagnostic hip arthroscopy | £5,500–£11,000 | Half-day | Same-day |
| Diagnostic ankle arthroscopy | £3,500–£7,000 | Half-day | Same-day |
| Diagnostic wrist/elbow arthroscopy | £4,000–£8,000 | Half-day | Same-day |
| Arthroscopy + therapeutic intervention | £5,000–£12,000 | Half-day | Same-day |
Prices vary by joint, the sub-speciality of the surgeon, the anaesthetic used, and whether a therapeutic step is added in the same session. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Joint pain, inconclusive scans — people get bounced around.
Most people end up seeing three or four clinicians before anyone puts a camera in the joint. When the MRI has been done and the answer is not there, arthroscopy is the definitive next step.
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MRI looks equivocal?
A good MRI answers most questions. When it does not, arthroscopy is the definitive test — do not go around a fourth loop of imaging.
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Waiting for an NHS slot?
For a lost sporting season or a job on the line, weeks matter. We can arrange assessment and scoping quickly.
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Unsure it is the right test?
Sometimes an ultrasound-guided injection or a physio-led rehab trial is the better first step. We will say so.
The journey
From enquiry to rehab — what happens, in order.
One surgeon from first message to the wound-check appointment — including the physio pathway after.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Half-day at the unit
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, any previous imaging, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which surgeon, which unit, indicative price. If MRI or ultrasound is the right first step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. We coordinate anaesthetic screening and pause any anticoagulation with your GP.
- 04
On the day
Arrival, consent and anaesthetic
You change, meet your surgeon and anaesthetist, and consent runs through both the diagnostic and any therapeutic step that might follow.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
Two or three small keyhole portals. A camera and instruments enter the joint, each compartment is inspected in turn, and any clear finding is treated in the same session.
- 06
On the day
Recovery, then home
Around one to three hours in recovery. Home the same day with dressings, crutches if needed, and a rehab plan.
- 07
After
Findings and rehab
Your surgeon explains what was seen and done on the day. Physiotherapy starts within days, and we follow you through to the wound-check appointment.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks to surgery. Urgent cases: days.
What it shows
Find the reason that matches your joint.
Arthroscopy answers questions no other joint test can — and treats many of them at the same session. These are the reasons people come to us.
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Knee — meniscus, ligament
Direct visualisation of meniscal tears and cruciate integrity when MRI is equivocal.
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Shoulder — labral tears, cuff
SLAP and Bankart lesions and rotator-cuff pathology seen and probed in real time.
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Hip — labrum, FAI
Labral tears and femoroacetabular impingement assessed with dynamic examination under anaesthesia.
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Ankle — impingement
Anterior soft-tissue or bony impingement, osteochondral lesions and loose bodies.
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Ligament assessment
Stress testing of ligaments under anaesthesia gives a definitive answer where clinical exam is limited by guarding.
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Cartilage assessment
Chondral defects graded and mapped for size, depth and location — critical for treatment planning.
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Inconclusive MRI
When high-quality MRI cannot explain the symptoms, arthroscopy is the definitive next step.
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Red flag: septic joint
A hot swollen joint with fever needs same-day A&E — septic arthritis is a surgical emergency.
Procedure types
Not all arthroscopies are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Knee arthroscopy
Two or three portals inspect the medial and lateral compartments, patellofemoral joint and cruciates. The workhorse joint for keyhole surgery.
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Shoulder arthroscopy
Glenohumeral joint and subacromial space inspected — labrum, cuff, biceps anchor and impingement all assessed in one sitting.
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Hip arthroscopy
Central and peripheral compartments accessed with traction. Sub-specialist surgery — pick a hip-arthroscopy specialist by volume.
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Ankle arthroscopy
Anterior and posterior portals for impingement, osteochondral lesions of the talus and loose-body removal.
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Wrist/elbow arthroscopy
Small-joint arthroscopy for TFCC tears, ligament injury and loose bodies in the elbow.
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Diagnostic + partial meniscectomy
The most common combined procedure — a torn meniscal fragment is trimmed at the same session, when appropriate.
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Diagnostic + shoulder decompression
Subacromial decompression performed at the same sitting where impingement is confirmed and conservative care has failed.
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Diagnostic + micro-fracture
Small chondral defects treated with micro-fracture at the same session, with a defined rehab pathway to follow.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of surgeons, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
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Consultant orthopaedic surgeons with sub-speciality accreditation
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MRI-first pathway (arthroscopy only after imaging)
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Same-day therapeutic intervention where indicated
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Protocolised rehab pathway with named physiotherapists
Safety and eligibility
Very safe — but there is real planning to do.
Diagnostic arthroscopy is very safe, but a general anaesthetic, fasting, blood-thinning medication and driving restrictions all need planning. We coordinate the details.
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Small keyhole surgery
Infection, DVT and nerve-injury risk are all small but real — well under one in one hundred for a straightforward diagnostic arthroscopy.
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Overnight stay
Usually not needed. Day-case surgery is the norm for diagnostic arthroscopy of every joint.
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General anaesthetic
Most arthroscopy is done under a general anaesthetic. Regional blocks are often added for pain control.
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Fasted from midnight
Nothing to eat after midnight, with sips of clear water allowed up to two hours before your appointment.
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Driving restriction
Usually one to two weeks depending on the joint, the procedure and your insurer’s requirements.
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Anticoagulation planned
Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel need pausing to a protocol — always ask, never stop on your own. We coordinate this.
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Pregnancy special case
Diagnostic arthroscopy is usually deferred in pregnancy unless essential. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant.
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MRI first is the correct order
A good MRI is nearly always the right first test. Arthroscopy earns its place only once imaging has been done.
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Rehab is essential
The operation is only half of the outcome. A protocolised physiotherapy plan is what turns a good scope into a good result.
Reading your report
An arthroscopy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
However complex the joint, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
You will be told the headline on the day — the rehab plan is written before you leave.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and prior imaging
Your details, the joint examined, the presenting symptoms and the MRI (or ultrasound) findings that led to arthroscopy.
- 02 Technique
Portals and inspection sequence
Which portals were used, the compartments inspected and the sequence followed — so anyone reviewing the report knows exactly what was seen.
- 03 Findings
Labels for each compartment
Each compartment described in turn, with cartilage grading, meniscal or labral status and ligament integrity recorded against standard classifications.
- 04 Impression
Read this first — findings and plan
The conclusion, the therapeutic actions taken at the same session, and the rehab plan. Read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover diagnostic arthroscopy when clinically indicated; we confirm cover and pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about diagnostic arthroscopy.
Quick answers on when to scope, cost, risks, anaesthetic, driving and rehab.
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Why not just have an MRI?
MRI is the correct first test for nearly every joint problem. Arthroscopy earns its place only when a good MRI cannot answer the question, or when the finding needs treatment that can be done through the scope. If you have not had a recent high-quality MRI, that is where we start.
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When is arthroscopy the right test?
When imaging is inconclusive, when the clinical picture and imaging disagree, when the finding needs treatment (a torn meniscus, a loose body, a labral tear), or when the joint needs assessment under anaesthesia to bypass guarding. It is diagnostic and therapeutic in the same sitting.
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What are the risks?
For a diagnostic arthroscopy, infection, DVT and nerve injury are all well under one in one hundred. There is joint stiffness for a week or two and mild swelling. Serious complications are uncommon but real — your surgeon will walk you through the specifics for your joint.
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How much does a private diagnostic arthroscopy cost in London?
A diagnostic knee arthroscopy is typically £3,500–£7,000 in our network. Shoulder is £3,800–£7,500 and hip is £5,500–£11,000. If a therapeutic step (partial meniscectomy, decompression, micro-fracture) is added in the same session, the total sits £5,000–£12,000. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
A consultation with the orthopaedic surgeon comes first, so the right joint is examined and any imaging is reviewed. We can arrange that consultation quickly — no GP letter needed to get started.
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When can I drive again?
Usually one to two weeks depending on the joint operated on, whether it was the driving-side leg, and your insurer’s requirements. Your surgeon will give you a joint-specific answer at discharge.
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How long is the rehab?
Six to twelve weeks for most straightforward diagnostic arthroscopies with a small therapeutic step, longer for cartilage repair or ligament work. Physiotherapy starts within days — the plan is written before you leave.
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What kind of anaesthetic is used?
Most arthroscopy is done under general anaesthetic, often with a regional nerve block added for pain control. Some smaller procedures can be done with regional anaesthesia alone. You meet the anaesthetist on the day and choose together.
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When is the therapeutic surgery done in the same session?
When the finding is clear on the pre-operative imaging and you have consented to it. A torn meniscal flap, a loose body, a subacromial spur or a small chondral defect are typical same-session decisions. Anything unexpected is discussed and staged, not done blind.
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When should I see a GP urgently?
A hot, swollen joint with fever, a joint that cannot bear weight after trauma, or sudden loss of function needs same-day assessment — septic arthritis, fracture and tendon rupture are all time-critical. Call 111 or go to A&E.
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