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Cost of ankle arthroscopy in Virginia

The average cash price for ankle arthroscopy care in Virginia is $3,623 at a surgery center versus $5,431 at an outpatient hospital. While a surgery center may offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full range of support services that outpatient hospital provides, it may still be worth the (33%) you'd save when comparing the cost of ankle arthroscopy performed at an outpatient hospital. Read More

Average cash price in Virginia

A common ankle arthroscopy at surgery center facility in Virginia includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $132

Provider fee to remove and repair large bone defect - shin or ankle using endoscope

Standard Standard
1 $857

Facility

Surgery center fee to remove and repair large bone defect - shin or ankle using endoscope

Standard Standard
1 $1,603

Imaging

Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint

Standard Standard
1 $319

Radiology fee for ankle x-ray

2 views Standard
1 $45

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $16

Equipment

Non-wood underarm crutches

Pair Standard
1 $65

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $134

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
227 $453
Total average cash price   $3,623.03

A common ankle arthroscopy at outpatient hospital facility in Virginia includes

  Units Avg Cash price

Provider

Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee

First time visit Standard
1 $132

Provider fee to remove and repair large bone defect - shin or ankle using endoscope

Standard Standard
1 $857

Facility

Outpatient Hospital fee to remove and repair large bone defect - shin or ankle using endoscope

level 3 Standard
1 $3,411

Imaging

Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint

Standard Standard
1 $319

Radiology fee for ankle x-ray

2 views Standard
1 $45

Prescriptions

HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN

Standard Standard
30 $16

Equipment

Non-wood underarm crutches

Pair Standard
1 $65

Anesthesia

Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure

Level 2 Standard
1 $134

Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure

Per minute Standard
227 $453
Total average cash price   $5,431.41

Ankle arthroscopy, which may also be called ankle keyhole surgery, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat problems in the ankle joint. Minimally invasive means that surgery can be performed through much smaller incisions than traditional surgery. Surgeries performed with minimally invasive techniques generally have less pain and shorter recovery times. 

A tiny camera, fiber optics, and tools are inserted through small incisions during ankle arthroscopy to allow the surgeon to see and work inside the ankle joint. Ankle arthroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat several problems of the ankle joint. These may include:

  • Ankle arthritis
  • Ankle fractures
  • Ankle instability
  • Ankle impingement
  • Arthrofibrosis
  • Infection
  • Loose bodies
  • Osteochondral defect
  • Synovitis
  • Unexplained ankle symptoms

There will be some pain with ankle arthroscopy surgery; however, this will be manageable. Your surgeon will prescribe oral pain medication that will allow you to remain comfortable after surgery. Swelling is normal after ankle arthroscopy. Elevating your leg will help the swelling.

Ankle arthroscopy can be performed under either general or regional anesthesia. During general anesthesia, you will receive intravenous medication and be completely asleep. During regional anesthesia or a “nerve block,” injections are given around the surgical area that completely numbs the area. You will be awake, but you will be given an oral sedative to keep you relaxed during the surgery.

Ankle arthroscopy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure unless you have other health problems that need to be monitored. This means that you’ll be in the recovery area for a short time after your surgery and then go home the same day.

Full recovery after surgery will take from six to 12 weeks; however, you should be able to begin exercises and walking on the leg earlier.

How soon you can walk again after ankle arthroscopy surgery depends on why you needed surgery. In some cases, you’ll be able to walk immediately; other conditions will require a period of using crutches. Your surgeon will advise you on when it is safe to walk without crutches. In general, crutches are usually not necessary for more than two weeks.

You will need to wait until you are no longer taking pain medication and can stomp your foot down without pain before driving. Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe for you to drive. For most people, you’ll be able to return to driving in two weeks or less after surgery.

How soon you will be able to return to work depends on the type of work you do. Most people will need to take off for two weeks after ankle arthroscopy. If you have a sedentary or desk job, you may be able to return as soon as three to five days after surgery.

About the ankle arthroscopy Average Cash Prices

This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.

Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital, but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support services that a hospital provides.

Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital, but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to the hospital system.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.