Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a growing health concern in the U.S. affecting an estimated 23.1 million citizens. While diabetes is a risk factor for complications following total joint arthroplasty, it is unclear whether this risk holds true for arthroscopy and, whether this risk is stratified by insulin-dependence (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM). The goal of this study is to evaluate complications following shoulder and knee arthroscopy in patients with IDDM and NIDDM. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeon’s National Surgical Quality Improvement Program’s (ACS-NSQIP) database for the years 2005-2016 was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between diabetic status and outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Multivariate models were established to adjust for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking status, functional status, and ASA classification. A post-hoc power analysis was performed based on the observed variances between groups using an alpha equal to 0.05 and power equal to 0.8. Results: 86,023 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy and 58,442 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were identified. Patients with IDDM undergoing knee arthroscopy were at a much higher risk for surgical complications, AOR 2.186 (95% CI: 1.226 -1.157, p = 0.001), including deep infections (AOR 3.082, 95% CI: 1.753-5.419, p < 0.001) and return to OR (AOR 1.933, 95% CI: 1.280-2.919, p = 0.002), as well as unplanned hospital admission (AOR 1.770, 95% CI: 1.289-2.431, p = 0.002). Patients with IDDM undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were at a much higher risk for medical complications (AOR 1.524, 95% CI: 1.082-2.147), hospital readmission (AOR 1.581, 95% CI: 1.153-2.169), and 30-day mortality (AOR 3.821, 95% CI: 1.243-11.750). However, NIDDM was not an independent risk factor for subsequent medical or surgical complications, unplanned hospital admission, or 30-day mortality in either group. Conclusion: Patients with IDDM undergoing knee arthroscopy were more likely to have surgical complications, whereas those undergoing shoulder arthroscopy were more likely to have medical complications, hospital readmission, and mortality. These risks diminished among those with NIDDM, with their risks comparable to those without diabetes. Physicians and hospitals should keep these issues in mind when counseling patients regarding their risks for shoulder and knee arthroscopy.