| Service | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇹🇷 Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meniscus arthroscopy | from USD 440 | from USD 4,000 | from USD 3,800 |
| Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) arthroscopy | from USD 851 | from USD 5,500 | from USD 4,700 |
| Arthroscopic joint debridement / removal of cartilage fragments | from USD 440 | from USD 3,500 | from USD 4,000 |
Prices in the “Ukraine” column come from MediUkraine’s partner clinics. The Czech Republic and Turkey columns show the lower bounds of prices published by clinics there (for Turkey, also the Turkish Dental Association’s recommended 2026 tariff), collected in August 2026 and converted to US dollars at the rate on the day of collection. A dash means we could not find a comparable published price. In any country, the final cost is set by the clinic after an examination.
An arthroscope, a thin illuminated optical tube, is inserted into the knee through one puncture, and the working instruments through another. The image is shown magnified on a monitor, so the surgeon can examine the menisci, cartilage surfaces, cruciate ligaments and synovial membrane from the inside and assess the joint directly during the operation. That is why a single procedure can be both diagnostic and therapeutic: if the surgeon sees a meniscal tear or a loose fragment of cartilage, it is dealt with straight away.
The approach is chosen individually, based on the type of damage (meniscus, cartilage, ligaments), your age and activity level: from a purely diagnostic examination to reconstructive procedures. The decision is based on MRI results, the orthopaedic surgeon's examination and clinical findings.
The main advantage of the method is that it causes little trauma to the tissues. Working through tiny incisions reduces blood loss and the risk of infection and speeds up healing, so most patients return to an active lifestyle within 1–2 weeks and do without the long rehabilitation that open surgery requires.
During the procedure the surgeon removes or repairs damaged structures, such as the meniscus, cartilage or loose tissue fragments, reconstructs ligaments or cleans out the joint. The operation is done under spinal or general anaesthesia, usually as an outpatient procedure or with a short hospital stay. Your next step is a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon with your MRI scans to hand: this is where it is decided whether surgery is needed and how extensive it should be.
Travel. Ukrainian airspace is closed, so there are no commercial flights. Uzhhorod lies right on the border with Slovakia and close to Hungary, so patients usually arrive overland from one of these two countries, by car, bus or train.
Visas. Citizens of the EU, the United Kingdom and the United States do not need a visa for short stays in Ukraine. Rules depend on your citizenship, so check your own before booking.
Safety, plainly. Ukraine is at war. Air raid alerts occur across the country, including in Uzhhorod, and an appointment can be interrupted by one. Several governments advise against travel to Ukraine, and while that advice stands, ordinary travel and medical insurance is often void — confirm your cover with your insurer before you commit to anything.
Language. MediUkraine handles correspondence, scheduling, the written treatment plan and the quote in English. The clinic's team communicates with international patients in English.
Payment. You pay the clinic directly. Our coordination service is free of charge for you.
More on travel, safety and insurance: Safety and travel.
The method of knee arthroscopy is chosen individually, taking into account the type of damage, your age, activity level and the overall condition of the joint. The main types are diagnostic, therapeutic and reconstructive arthroscopy. The procedure is indicated for meniscal injuries, damage to the cartilage or ligaments (anterior or posterior cruciate), synovitis, chronic pain and locking of the knee.
The basic procedure is arthroscopic meniscectomy or meniscal repair: through small punctures the damaged part of the meniscus is removed or stitched. This relieves pain and restores stability to the joint, and movement recovers quickly.
A separate area is arthroscopic ligament reconstruction, above all of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Under camera guidance the surgeon places a graft in place of the damaged ligament, and knee function can be fully restored even in athletes.
For osteoarthritic changes or cartilage damage, arthroscopic debridement or mosaicplasty is performed. These methods aim to improve the joint surface and reduce pain.
In most cases the operation is done as an outpatient procedure or with a short hospital stay. It takes 30 to 90 minutes, the risk of complications is low, and you return to an active lifestyle quickly.
Knee arthroscopy at the partner clinic in Uzhhorod includes not only treating the damage but also full post-operative care. In the first days mild pain, swelling or restricted movement are possible; this is a normal reaction of the body. Increase your activity gradually, but avoid physical overload and long periods of standing or walking during the first 1–2 weeks. You can drive once the pain has eased and you have full control of your leg again.
The length of recovery depends on the complexity of the operation. After a partial meniscectomy you can return to work in 5–7 days; after ligament reconstruction, usually in 3–6 weeks. The final decision on full weight-bearing is made by the orthopaedic surgeon at the follow-up check.
Keep up light physical activity: short walks improve circulation and help tissues heal. Return to exercise and sport only with your doctor's approval. Follow the dietary advice, drink enough water, and avoid hot baths, saunas and alcohol. If you develop severe pain, redness, a fever or swelling, see a doctor immediately for an examination.
For active people and athletes it is important not only to treat the injury or inflammation but also to keep the knee fully mobile and stable. Most arthroscopic procedures, from meniscal repair to ligament reconstruction, when performed correctly, restore the full range of movement and the ability to keep training.
The treatment plan is chosen individually. Before the procedure the orthopaedic trauma surgeon may order an MRI or X-ray to assess the condition of the joint, cartilage and ligaments accurately. If you play sport or plan an active life, the doctor will separately discuss the extent of the operation, whether graft or implant fixation is needed and the expected recovery period.
Not everyone needs surgery. If the damage is minor and knee function is preserved, the doctor may suggest conservative treatment monitored with MRI and by a rehabilitation specialist. The decision is made after diagnosis and an assessment of your general health.
When planning knee arthroscopy, consider not only the price of the operation itself but also the total costs: accommodation, transfers, diagnostics, medicines and post-operative care. In most cases treatment in Ukraine works out more affordable: all stages, from consultations and tests to surgery and rehabilitation, take place at one medical centre, and the hospital stay lasts only 1–2 days.
Why is the cost lower? Firstly, the underlying cost of medical services (a bed-day, consumables, rent, salaries) in Ukraine is considerably lower than in EU countries or Turkey. Secondly, competition between private clinics produces transparent service packages without hidden charges. Thirdly, minimally invasive technologies shorten the inpatient stay, which directly reduces the final bill.
At the same time, a lower price does not mean lower safety standards: the partner clinic provides full anaesthetic care and strict infection control. Experienced orthopaedic trauma surgeons perform arthroscopic procedures routinely, which makes the result more predictable and lowers the risk of complications.
Knee arthroscopy is considered a low-risk procedure. The partner clinic in Uzhhorod performs it according to international standards, with full anaesthetic care, infection control and monitoring during and after the operation. The procedure is minimally invasive: it is done through a few punctures, without large incisions, and takes 30 to 90 minutes. As with any surgery, the doctor will explain the possible risks in your case at the consultation.
Ideally, examination, surgery and recovery take place at one medical centre with experienced orthopaedic trauma surgeons and a rehabilitation service.
When choosing a clinic, look at the number of procedures performed, the surgeon's experience, adherence to international protocols and transparency of cost.
MediUkraine assesses the partner clinic on verified patient reviews, speed of communication and how well the cost estimate is justified.
📍 Uzhhorod, Ukraine
A multidisciplinary hospital in Uzhhorod, part of a network of medical facilities in western Ukraine: an outpatient clinic, a surgical centre covering 15 specialties and a 30-bed inpatient unit. Its 52 doctors include professors and PhDs; many operations are done as day surgery, with discharge after 1–2 days.
It is a minimally invasive operation: through small punctures the surgeon inserts a camera and instruments into the joint, examines the knee from the inside and treats any damage straight away. The procedure makes it possible to treat injuries to the meniscus, cartilage or ligaments with minimal intervention and a fast recovery.
The cost depends on the type of procedure (meniscus, cartilage, ligaments), the clinic and the specialist's level. On average it is from USD 440. The price includes tests, anaesthesia, the operation and a short hospital stay.
Patients from the EU, the UK, Turkey, Israel and many other countries can enter Ukraine without a visa. Check the current entry rules for your country before you travel. MediUkraine can help you plan the trip and advise on transfers and accommodation.
The procedure is recommended for injuries to the meniscus, cartilage or ligaments, chronic pain or locking of the knee. The decision is made after a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon and an MRI scan.
Depending on the indications, the surgeon performs arthroscopic meniscal repair, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, joint debridement or removal of cartilage fragments. All these operations are done under spinal or general anaesthesia.
Most patients return to normal life after 2–4 weeks and to sport after 1.5–3 months. Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy, load management and a gradual return of movement.
Quite the opposite: mobility usually improves after the operation. The procedure helps relieve pain, swelling and locking of the knee, restore stability and return a normal, pain-free range of movement.
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