Arthroscopy can be performed under a general anesthetic, a spinal or epidural anesthetic, a regional block (where only the extremity being examined is numbed), or even a
local anesthetic. After adequate anesthesia is achieved, the procedure can begin. So, if your wife does not want a general anaesthesia, she can opt for a regional or epidural or a spinal anaesthesia. If a local anesthetic has been used, there may be no pain at all immediately after the procedure.
Hope this information helps.