A typical arthroscopy system can include camera, camera cables, light source, arthroscope, sheath, color monitors, printers, fiber optic cable and accessories. Accompanying instruments include shavers, cannulas, blades, burrs and forceps. A pre-owned arthroscopic system will run approximately $2,400 to $5,000, depending upon what is included. New equipment system prices range from $6,000 to $12,000. For parts, new scopes can cost up to $5,000, and sheaths range from $400 to $600. By comparison, a pre-owned scope 1-2 years old costs around $800 to $1,500. The most expensive component is the camera. The single chip camera head used in arthroscopes runs about $8,000 to 1$5,000 new. A refurbished camera can be 30 to 40% less.

Pre-owned equipment can be repaired or refurbished. With reputable dealers, both services have quality control inspections for the internal parts to make sure the product is in good shape. Refurbishing often takes an extra step of upgrading or replacing certain problem parts, and a cosmetic overhaul. Dawoodjee and AES offer refurbishing services. Dawoodjee says that in AES' refurbishing process they are able to carefully correct any preexisting design flaws in the system/components and make the instrument higher-quality. However, non-refurbished equipment is as useful. Guier specializes in selling preowned equipment without refurbishing. He inspects the internal components carefully for sturdiness and viability, and will make minor part replacements. Guier's products come with a guarantee. Cacuci will refurbish equipment obtained from sources such as hospitals in preparation to be sold, also with a guarantee.

Arthroscopy's popularity lies in its ability to examine joints through small incisions. That same micro-technology is also what leads to equipment damage-to the miniature cameras, lenses, light source and the fiber optics inside the scope. Repairs become necessary from sheer usage-normal wear and tear, or being dropped by medical personnel when changing hands for sterilization. The most frequent damage is the scope being nicked or sliced by other instruments (probes, shavers, burrs) while in the patient. Sometimes a practitioner bends the scope just a bit past its capability in an attempt to see the joint better. Occasionally, pieces are damaged in an autoclave when instruments are tossed on one another. Murphy estimates 70% of damage occurs through accidental nicks on the distal end of the scope. Other damage Murphy has seen includes wear to the camera cables that lead into the camera head, causing signal inference. Also, cannula and shavers need to be straightened or sharpened, and pins in instrument hinges break.

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