Concierge orthopaedics · London
Comprehensive arthroscopic management, by a fellowship-trained surgeon.
Diagnostic arthroscopy and the therapeutic step in the same anaesthetic — across the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow and wrist — with joint preservation as the default, and a targeted rehab pathway from day one.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Fellowship-trained arthroscopic surgeons
Consultants who sub-specialise in one or two joints — knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow or wrist — not generalists doing the occasional case.
- 02
Sports and joint-preservation focus
The default is to preserve your own cartilage, tendon and labrum. Replacement is a last option, not a first offer.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private arthroscopic surgery costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A knee arthroscopy in our network: £4,500–£7,500, home the same day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee arthroscopy (diagnostic + meniscal work) | £4,500–£7,500 | 45–60 min | Same day |
| ACL reconstruction | £8,500–£13,000 | 90–120 min | Same day |
| Shoulder arthroscopy (subacromial decomp.) | £5,500–£8,500 | 45–75 min | Same day |
| Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair | £8,000–£14,000 | 60–120 min | Same day |
| Hip arthroscopy (FAI / labral repair) | £9,500–£15,000 | 90–120 min | Same day |
| Ankle / wrist / elbow arthroscopy | £4,500–£9,000 | 45–90 min | Same day |
Prices vary by joint, by which surgeon does the case, by the implants used (anchors, interference screws, graft type) and by anaesthetic. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right joint, the right procedure — in one sitting.
Arthroscopy is only as good as the surgeon inside the joint. A generalist doing the occasional case is not the same as a knee, shoulder or hip specialist — and the difference shows up years later.
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Not sure a scope is needed?
Sometimes the answer is a targeted injection and rehab. We say so before you agree to surgery.
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Worried about the wrong graft?
Graft choice, implant choice and portal placement all matter. A fellowship-trained surgeon explains why theirs suits you.
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Want it done properly?
A named consultant, a proper day-case theatre, regional anaesthesia and a rehab plan from day one — for every joint we cover.
The journey
From imaging to rehab — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the imaging, the theatre and the rehab plan.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A few hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Which joint, what happened, how long, what you have tried, and what you want to get back to.
- 02
Before
Imaging reviewed or arranged
We collect your MRI, ultrasound or X-rays and have the arthroscopic surgeon read them before we quote a plan.
- 03
Before
Diagnostic arthroscopy planned
The surgeon confirms whether a scope is the right next step, and lists the therapeutic procedures that may be done in the same sitting.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the day-case unit
Admission, consent and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. Usually general anaesthetic with a regional block for pain.
- 05
On the day
Diagnostic scope plus therapeutic step
30 to 120 minutes depending on the joint and what is found — repair, debridement, reconstruction or preservation in the same anaesthetic.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery, written aftercare, sling or crutches if needed, and home within a few hours with your rehab plan.
- 07
After
Targeted rehab pathway
A joint-specific physiotherapy plan starts within days. A surgical review is arranged at two to six weeks.
Typical end-to-end: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to procedure. Rehab: 6 weeks to 9 months depending on joint and procedure.
When it helps
When arthroscopic surgery is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Knee — meniscal tears and instability
Locking, catching or giving way after a twisting injury, or ongoing pain from a degenerate meniscal tear.
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Knee — ACL or PCL rupture
A cruciate ligament rupture with instability, particularly in patients who want to return to pivoting sport.
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Shoulder — rotator cuff tears
Pain, weakness or night pain from a full- or partial-thickness rotator cuff tear confirmed on MRI or ultrasound.
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Shoulder — labral tears (Bankart, SLAP)
Recurrent dislocations, a sense of instability, or deep shoulder pain from a labral tear.
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Hip — femoroacetabular impingement
Groin pain with squatting or long sitting, with cam or pincer morphology on imaging.
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Ankle — anterior impingement
Front-of-ankle pain and loss of dorsiflexion, often in footballers and dancers with bony spurs.
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Wrist — TFCC and ulnar-sided pain
Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after a fall or twist, with a TFCC tear on MRI arthrogram.
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Red flag: hot, swollen, feverish joint
A hot, swollen joint with fever suggests a septic arthritis — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
One approach, six joints, many procedures.
What each arthroscopic option involves — and which fits which problem.
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Knee arthroscopy
Diagnostic scope with meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy, loose-body removal, and synovial biopsy where indicated.
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ACL / PCL reconstruction
Arthroscopic reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments using hamstring, quadriceps or patellar-tendon graft.
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Cartilage procedures
Chondroplasty, microfracture and MACI (matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) for focal cartilage defects.
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Shoulder arthroscopy
Rotator cuff repair, subacromial decompression, capsular release for frozen shoulder, and biceps tenodesis.
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Labral repair (Bankart, SLAP)
Arthroscopic repair for anterior instability (Bankart) and superior labral tears (SLAP) in the shoulder.
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Hip arthroscopy
Labral repair and cam / pincer osteochondroplasty for femoroacetabular impingement in the young adult hip.
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Ankle & wrist arthroscopy
Ankle impingement debridement, osteochondral lesion treatment, and wrist TFCC repair.
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Elbow arthroscopy
Loose-body removal, capsular release for stiffness, and debridement for tennis elbow refractory to non-operative care.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of arthroscopic surgeons, we picked them.
Fellowship-trained consultants 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 arthroscopic surgeon in our network.
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Fellowship-trained arthroscopic surgeons for the specific joint involved
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Day-case model with regional anaesthesia and enhanced recovery pathways
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Joint-preservation options discussed before any consideration of replacement
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Named physiotherapy partner with a joint-specific rehab pathway from day one
Safety and recovery
The risks worth naming — honestly.
Arthroscopy is one of the safer surgical models we cover, but no surgery is risk-free. These are the ones a good surgeon walks you through before you sign.
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Infection (uncommon but serious)
Deep joint infection is uncommon but important — swelling, redness, fever or worsening pain after a few days must be reviewed the same day.
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DVT and pulmonary embolism
Any joint surgery carries a small risk of clots. Early mobilisation, hydration and — for some — a short course of blood-thinner reduce the risk.
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Nerve injury
Small sensory nerve branches around portals can be bruised or cut, giving a patch of numbness. Motor nerve injury is rare with a fellowship-trained surgeon.
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Complex regional pain syndrome
A rare pain syndrome that can follow limb surgery. Early recognition and physiotherapy give the best chance of recovery.
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Missed intra-articular pathology
Occasionally a lesion is not fully addressed at the first scope. A named consultant reduces this — and a plan for revision, if needed, is made up front.
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Progression to open surgery
A small proportion of arthroscopic cases convert to open surgery if the pathology is not safely addressable through portals. This is discussed at consent.
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Re-tear and hardware failure
Repairs and reconstructions can re-tear, and anchors or interference screws can loosen — usually within the first year, and usually salvageable.
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Articular cartilage progression
Arthroscopy does not stop underlying arthritis. If cartilage wear is already advanced, benefit is more limited and honesty about that matters.
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Red flags
Fever, calf swelling, chest pain, spreading redness or heavy bleeding after surgery are not normal — call the clinic or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever joint was scoped, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Joint, indication and method chosen
Which joint was scoped, why (meniscal tear, cuff tear, impingement, instability), and what therapeutic step was planned.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and portals used
Anaesthetic type, regional block if used, the portals made, and any implants or anchors placed.
- 03 Findings
Intra-articular findings
What the surgeon saw — cartilage status, ligament integrity, labral or meniscal pathology — and what was done about each.
- 04 Impression
Weight-bearing, rehab and review timing
Read this first: weight-bearing status, sling / brace, rehab milestones, and when to return to sport or work.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for arthroscopic surgery is usually straightforward with a specialist referral and supporting imaging. Cover for hip arthroscopy and MACI is more variable — we confirm before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about arthroscopic surgery.
Quick answers on recovery, rehab, cost, insurance and how joint preservation stacks up against replacement.
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What is comprehensive arthroscopic management?
A model of care where a fellowship-trained arthroscopic surgeon assesses the joint, performs a diagnostic arthroscopy, and delivers the therapeutic step — repair, debridement, reconstruction or preservation — in the same anaesthetic where safe to do so.
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Which joints can be treated arthroscopically?
The knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow and wrist are all routinely treated arthroscopically. The knee and shoulder are the most common; hip and ankle arthroscopy are more specialised and are only performed by surgeons with sub-specialty training.
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Is arthroscopy done as a day case?
Almost always. Most patients arrive in the morning, have surgery under general anaesthetic with a regional block for pain, and are home a few hours later with a rehab plan.
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How long is recovery after arthroscopy?
A simple diagnostic or meniscal scope is often back to desk work within a week and sport within four to six weeks. Reconstructions (ACL, rotator cuff, hip labral repair) take three to nine months for full return to sport.
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Will I need physiotherapy?
Yes — a joint-specific, protocol-driven physiotherapy pathway is the single biggest determinant of outcome after arthroscopy. Rehab starts within days of surgery.
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How much does private arthroscopy cost in London?
Roughly £4,500–£7,500 for a knee scope, £5,500–£8,500 for a shoulder decompression, £8,000–£14,000 for a rotator cuff repair, and £8,500–£15,000 for ACL reconstruction or hip arthroscopy. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Does insurance cover arthroscopic surgery?
Usually yes, when a specialist has confirmed the indication and imaging supports it. Cover for hip arthroscopy and MACI is more variable — we confirm with your insurer before booking.
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Can arthroscopy prevent joint replacement?
For the right patient, yes — repair of a labral tear, cartilage preservation and correction of impingement can delay or prevent progression to replacement. For advanced arthritis the honest answer is that arthroscopy will not turn the clock back.
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What are the risks of arthroscopy?
Infection, DVT / PE, nerve injury, CRPS, missed pathology, progression to open surgery, re-tear and hardware failure are the main risks. All are uncommon in fellowship-trained hands, and each is discussed at consent.
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When should I see A&E rather than book a clinic?
A hot, swollen, feverish joint (possible septic arthritis), calf swelling and chest pain (possible clot), or heavy bleeding and spreading redness after surgery are all reasons to seek same-day medical help.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Knee arthroscopy
Diagnostic and therapeutic keyhole surgery of the knee.
Learn more -
Shoulder arthroscopy
Cuff, labral and impingement surgery of the shoulder.
Learn more -
Hip arthroscopy
Labral repair and FAI osteochondroplasty of the hip.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
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Hypertension
Related condition guide.
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Type 2 Diabetes
Related condition guide.
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Blood Tests
Related diagnostic test.
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Health Assessments Select
Related diagnostic test.
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In practice, in London
How comprehensive arthroscopic management tends to unfold when you go private
For comprehensive arthroscopic management, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. Waiting lists on the NHS for comprehensive arthroscopic management vary widely by borough and by how the GP letter reads. Privately in London, we can normally offer a slot inside the same week, sometimes within 48 hours if there’s a cancellation. The difference isn’t clinical quality — the consultants are frequently the same faces you’d see on the NHS — it’s the calendar.
A private comprehensive arthroscopic management pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For comprehensive arthroscopic management in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
The value of going through a concierge for comprehensive arthroscopic management isn’t access — anyone with an insurer or a credit card can get a private appointment in London. The value is knowing which consultant reads this particular presentation best, which unit turns reports around fastest, and which pathway won’t hit a dead end if the findings point somewhere unexpected.
Nearby in the library