Care calculator » Knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation »

Cost of knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation in Massachusetts

The average cash price for knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation care in Massachusetts is $3,849 at a surgery center versus $5,928 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 (35%) you'd save when comparing the cost of knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation performed at an outpatient hospital. Read More

Average cash price in Massachusetts

surgery center $3,849 outpatient hospital $5,928

A common knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation at surgery center facility in Massachusetts includes

	Units	Avg Cash price
Provider
Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee First time visit Standard	1	$151
Provider fee to irrigate and drain knee joint for infection using endoscope Standard	1	$767
Facility
Surgery center fee to irrigate and drain Standard Standard	1	$1,842
Imaging
Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint Standard Standard	1	$367
Radiology fee for knee x-ray 1-2 views Standard	1	$54
Prescriptions
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN Standard Standard	30	$18
Equipment
Non-wood underarm crutches Pair Standard	1	$74
Anesthesia
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure Level 2 Standard	1	$154
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure Per minute Standard	184	$422
Total average cash price		$3,849.09

A common knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation at outpatient hospital facility in Massachusetts includes

	Units	Avg Cash price
Provider
Orthopedic surgeon visit provider fee First time visit Standard	1	$151
Provider fee to irrigate and drain knee joint for infection using endoscope Standard	1	$767
Facility
Outpatient Hospital fee to irrigate and drain level 3 Standard	1	$3,921
Imaging
Radiology fee for MRI of hip, knee, or ankle joint Standard Standard	1	$367
Radiology fee for knee x-ray 1-2 views Standard	1	$54
Prescriptions
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN Standard Standard	30	$18
Equipment
Non-wood underarm crutches Pair Standard	1	$74
Anesthesia
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure Level 2 Standard	1	$154
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure Per minute Standard	184	$422
Total average cash price		$5,927.57

What is knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation?

Arthroscopic drainage and irrigation is a medical procedure that allows a surgeon to remove any abnormal material within a joint. Arthroscopy refers to the process of making only a small cut in the skin and using long surgical instruments on sticks that are guided by a camera to perform a procedure.

Drainage and irrigation is the process of removing any abnormal material from within the joint and washing the joint space with large amounts of sterile water to ensure that all abnormal material is cleared out. You may also hear this referred to as a “knee washout.”

Arthroscopic drainage and irrigation of the knee is most commonly used to remove bacteria if they infect the knee joint. Since the joint of the knee is normally filled with fluid, this fluid can become infected if bacteria somehow enter the joint.

Knee washout may also be performed for chronic pain from osteoarthritis. If non-surgical treatments fail, surgeons may use arthroscopy to remove fragments of cartilage and bone from the joint.

Finally, this procedure is required if there is foreign material within the knee joint that causes it to “lock-up.” If a locking sensation in the knee is preventing the leg from being fully straightened, arthroscopy may be required to remove whatever obstruction is within the knee.

How do you drain an infected knee?

Drainage of an infected knee is performed by inserting sterile tubes into a small cut made in the skin to access the joint space. A large amount of sterile water or saline is then used to flush out the joint. This is done under general anesthesia as this eliminates the pain and helps you remain completely still for the procedure.

After washing out the joint with a large amount of fluid, the surgeon will close the small incision in the side of the knee. You will have to take antibiotics for several days after the surgery to prevent a return of any new infection.

How long does a knee washout take?

A knee washout is relatively quick compared to other surgeries. Completing the procedure takes around 30 minutes. Often the process of preparing for and recovering from surgery takes longer than the procedure itself!

If a knee washout is done for an infection, you will often need to spend 2-3 days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning.

What is the recovery time for arthroscopic knee surgery?

Recovery from an arthroscopy takes time, especially when the procedure is done on a joint such as the knee, which is under high stress. The exact schedule regarding your ability to put weight on the knee will depend on your specific case, but a common return to activity is outlined below:

0-2 days: total non-weight bearing with crutches and a knee brace
2-7 days: range of motion exercises with no weight bearing
Around 1 week: return to non-physical work with crutches, some weight bearing
Around 3 weeks: return to full weight bearing with a knee brace
Around 4-6 weeks: removal of knee brace

The recovery from arthroscopy requires you to follow a physical therapy plan and attend follow-up visits. This is critical to make sure that the leg maintains its strength and the knee keeps its full range of motion.

Do you need crutches after an arthroscopy?

Yes, you will need crutches for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Putting weight on the knee too soon can lead to the stitches popping, worsening pain, or slower healing.

Is arthroscopic knee surgery successful?

Arthroscopic knee surgery for an infected joint is incredibly successful. Over 91% of patients have a complete resolution of symptoms. Failure to wash out a knee that has signs of infection can lead to severe arthritis and chronic pain. This is why a knee washout is almost always done if infection is suspected.

Arthroscopy for a “locked” knee that cannot fully flex or extend is also highly successful. This often occurs due to a small piece of material that is blocking the joint from moving smoothly.

The use of arthroscopy and washout for other conditions such as arthritis is more hotly debated. Only some patients see benefits from the procedure and it is not well studied. This is why your surgeon will be hesitant to perform this procedure unless all other methods of controlling pain have been attempted. An arthroscopy is often the final procedure that is attempted prior to a knee replacement.

About the knee arthroscopic drainage and irrigation 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.