How much does knee replacement and recovery cost abroad?

Knee joint replacement is an orthopaedic surgery during which the surgeon removes bones and cartilage affected by the disease and replaces them with a prosthesis made of metal, plastic or polymer. This operation is most often performed on patients aged 50-80 years who suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint injuries, etc. The main reason for going to the doctor is knee pain of medium to high severity that the patient experiences while walking, running, standing up or resting.

During the first consultation, an orthopaedic surgeon will conduct a diagnostic examination of the patient, assess the mobility of their legs, study their medical history. To analyze the extent of joint damage, an X-ray is usually performed, but sometimes the doctor may also perform an MRI examination.

Knee joint replacement surgery is one of the most successful operations performed in foreign clinics. In 98% of cases, the operation is performed without complications. Depending on individual factors, it can be performed under general or local anaesthesia. Usually, the surgery takes 1-2 hours. Patients can start physiotherapy within a few hours after the procedure, and are usually discharged for 1-3 days.

“New multimodal methods of pain management, surgical techniques and physiotherapy can significantly improve the results of knee joint endoprosthesis for patients” – Dr D. J. Valaik, John Hopkins University

A large number of clinics in Spain specialise in orthopaedic procedures. Among the most popular clinics are the University Clinic Teknon and network of Quironsalud clinics. They have been cooperating with international organisations for many years and organising high-quality service for overseas patients.

In 2018, an implant made on a 3D printer was transplanted for the first time in Spain, copying the same shape as the patient’s knee.

One of the most famous orthopaedic surgeons working in Spanish clinics is Dr Ramón Cugat.For sports fans, he may be familiar as the personal physician of FC Barcelona. He is one of the pioneers of modern regenerative medicine. Dr Cugat discovered a method of treatment of “platelet-rich plasma”, which significantly increases the regeneration of tissues after surgery.

Germany is one of the most popular countries among medical tourists wishing to have knee joint replacement surgery. First of all, this is due to the incomparably high level of medical services in the country. Germany invests more in its health care system than any other EU country. Compared to the USA – another country with high-quality medicine – Germany performs 1.4 times more knee joint replacement surgeries. At the same time, the cost of the operation will be half as much.

Among the more than 2,000 German clinics, the MedicGlobus team recommends the medical centres of Charite, Munich OST, the university clinics of Freiberg and Nuremberg. Doctors operating in these clinics have proven their professionalism through years of practice, and the quality of the clinics is confirmed by international certificates – JCI, ISO, DDG, etc.

One of the most famous knee replacement specialists in Germany is Dr Meinhard Balensiefen. He is the chief physician of the German national hockey team. Dr Balensiefen has performed over 1,500 joint endoprostheses.

The International Medical Tourism Journal (IMTJ) has put Turkey in third place among all countries in the world. About 32% of patients treated in Turkey are foreigners. They are attracted by the availability of modern treatment methods combined with low prices. The quality of medicine in Turkey has been confirmed by the international medical community. 34 Turkish clinics have JCI certificates – the highest quality standard. The country contributes in every possible way to the development of medical tourism, for example, by facilitating visa obtaining or making flight discounts.

The average length of stay in Turkey for knee joint replacement is 2 weeks.

One of the most experienced knee replacement clinics is the Memorial network of clinics the Medical Park Network, the Liv Clinic and the American Hospital in Istanbul.

Orthopaedic surgeons in Israel follow the latest innovations in surgery, allowing them to achieve consistently high results. About 95% of patients treated in Israeli clinics have seen significant improvement in their condition.

Israeli orthopedists prefer to perform bilateral knee arthroplasty – that is, operate on two legs simultaneously. This avoids multiple surgeries, which has a more positive effect on the patient’s health.

One of the rare novelties available in Israeli clinics is 3D modelling of prosthesis based on X-ray images using artificial intelligence. This diagnostic method is cheaper than CT scanning and allows for a precise fit of the implant.

Business Pundit has placed Lithuania in the list of TOP 10 countries for medical tourism. Lithuania is a popular destination for orthopaedic procedures, especially among residents of Western Europe. This is because, in countries such as the UK, patients have to wait several years in line for joint replacement under NHS. Lithuanian medical centres offer the same results four times cheaper and without any queues.

The advantages of treatment in Lithuania include the convenient location of the country, direct flights, private packages, multilingual staff and individual rehabilitation programmes. Also, the clinics accept payment with both euro and bitcoins.

Among Lithuanian clinics specializing in orthopaedic surgery, the Cardiolita Clinic and the Medical Center of Diagnostics and Treatment in Vilnius show the highest results.

The Czech Republic is a popular country among patients from Eastern and Central Europe. Many doctors and nurses working in clinics are fluent in English, which facilitates communication with the patient. The Czech Republic is a country accessible for tourists, where treatment is carried out following international standards, but cheaper than in Western Europe.

The level of postoperative complications in the Czech Republic is less than 1%. The clinics perform minimally invasive knee joint endoprosthesis. The operation lasts 1-1.5 hours, and the patient can be discharged the next day.

Many clinics offer an opportunity to undergo rehabilitation in the clinic with modern programs using the computer and robotic equipment.

For knee joint replacement surgery, you can go to the Motol University Hospital, St. Zdislavy Hospital, and the Clinic Na Homolce.

The best clinics in Poland are accredited by the Polish Ministry of Health and have European certificates ISO, TAS and ESQH. Compared to other EU countries, the cost of knee joint replacement in Poland is among the lowest.

Medical centres that specialize in orthopaedic treatment offer package services, including knee implant placement, intensive postoperative rehabilitation, as well as transfer and accommodation. The success rate of the operation is up to 98%.

Among the most reliable clinics in Poland, Carolina Medical Center and KCM Clinic should be mentioned.

Compared to Western European countries, treatment in Korea will cost the patient 15-20% cheaper. At the same time, the quality of medicine in Korea is considered one of the highest in the world. The reason is high standards of doctors’ training, where only the best are allowed to practice. The clinics work closely with Western colleagues, and many Korean doctors undergo training at top medical centres in Europe and the USA. The other reason is the high quality of medical technology used in Korean clinics. Knee joint replacement in Korean clinics is often performed with the help of da Vinci’s robot.

Korea is popular among medical tourists from other Asian countries, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, etc. About 20% of patients treated in Korean clinics are foreigners. Medical personnel have extensive experience in communicating with patients from other cultures, and many of them speak English.

Knee joint endoprosthesis is carried out at such clinics as Sarang Plus, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), Anam Clinic, Soon Chun Hyang Clinic.