Knee replacement surgery has become quite common and more accessible in the past few years. Currently, it is considered a safe option for people with severe osteoarthritis of the knee joint. This is especially useful for patients with arthritis of the knee joint.
The constant increase in the number of patients who have undergone knee surgery can be explained by a number of reasons, including:
Increased availability: Now a greater number of patients prefer to choose a knee replacement operation, because the cost of implants has decreased significantly in the recent past.
A range of available implants is available: Thanks to advances in medical technology, there are a number of knee implants available today to meet the individual needs of patients. From implants with 180 and 360 degrees of movement to 3D-printed knee implants, there is nothing that is not available for patients with varying degrees of severity of osteoarthritis.
Improved surgical results: Open knee replacement is a thing of the past. Now several new technologies are available that offer great benefits and provide positive results. Thanks to minimally invasive technology, surgery is no longer so painful. It also does not require weeks of hospitalization for the patient to recover.
But, nevertheless, the cost of knee surgery in western countries continues to be on the higher side. For patients in such countries who want to undergo affordable knee-joint surgery, the option of flying towards major medical tourism is an option. Some of these knee-high medical tourism hotspots include India, Thailand and Turkey.
Average knee replacement cost: top countries
The average cost of knee surgery in Western countries can start at $ 30,000. In addition, it is clear that the cost of a knee replacement operation varies not only from country to country, but also from a country or city. This is especially true of the United States.
For example, the cost of knee surgery in Dallas, USA, can vary from 16,772 to 61,585 dollars, depending on the hospital. Paying a higher price for a procedure does not necessarily mean that the quality the hospital offers to the patient is better than the hospital that is cheaper.
There are several factors that may be associated with the discrepancy between the price of the same procedure in the same city. Competition, government taxes, location and the level of free care provided by the hospital are some of them.
On the other hand, the cost of replacing the knee in India, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand and Taiwan is much more reasonable than in Western countries. In these countries, the cost is reduced by 50-80 percent. This explains the patient's mindset when they decide to go abroad to receive knee implants.
Type, material and manufacturer of the implant
There are various types and materials of knee implants available today to choose from. Each implant has a specific purpose and is most suitable for a particular group of patients. For example, older people can control their daily activities with an implant that allows them to bend 110 degrees. However, young adults may require an implant with a high bend in the knee due to an excessive level of activity.
Chromium-cobalt alloy, titanium alloy, oxidized zirconium and polyethylene implants are currently widely available. Each implant material has specific pros and cons associated with them. They differ in terms of pricing, use, accessibility and durability.
Type of transaction
The individual is either recommended to go (TKR) or partially replace the knee. The difference is that part of the knee joint is replaced during the procedure. The duration of hospitalization and the recovery period in the case of TKR is longer than the duration of partial replacement. Thus, there is a direct impact on the total cost that the patient must put out of pocket for this procedure.
Type of hospital
Hospitals with state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest technology tend to charge more than other hospitals. It is a complete fact that the experience and qualifications of the surgeon handling the case may be the same. The cost also depends on the location of the hospital. Centrally located and easily accessible hospitals are more expensive than distant ones.
Surgeon's experience
The cost of knee surgery also depends on how experienced the surgeon is. Surgeons with extensive experience are the most sought after. In fact, it has been scientifically proven that surgeons who perform more than 50 TKRs per year have less than one third of cases of complications compared to those who perform less than 50 TKRs per year.
Most patients prefer to be treated by a surgeon who is experiencing. But there is an extra cost they have to pay for it.
Cost of rehabilitation
Rehabilitation after surgery includes physiotherapy, which is available at an additional cost. Doctors usually advise a candidate to undergo physiotherapy for at least 6-12 weeks to improve results and alleviate pain. Each session of physical therapy can cost from $ 20 to $ 350 depending on the country in which you are treated. Rehabilitation is an important aspect of recovery after knee replacement. Therefore, patients should consider these costs when planning an operation.
Casual expenses
The patient may require incidental costs in the event of any complication. In addition, costs may increase when the duration of stay inside the operation after the operation is increased. Like any other surgery, there are certain complications associated as well. Examples include post-surgical infection, delayed wound healing, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism. Managing such terms affects the total cost.
Other expenses
- Unforeseen care and management of a pre-existing condition may add to the total bill.
- The more days you spend in the hospital, the greater the billing amount.
- The cost of private or single occupancy is greater than total or multi-occupancy.
- Subsequent visits after discharge from the hospital are paid additionally.
- The loss of alert due to hospital stays and the consequences of the operation may increase the financial burden.
Tips for choosing a hospital abroad for knee surgery
Choose a country wisely. Countries offering cheaper treatment are not necessarily consistent with the quality of medical services.
Choose a surgeon wisely. Do not choose someone who is experienced, but charges a huge amount.
- Choose a surgeon whose clinic is less crowded. Surgeons that are very popular tend to stay busy and spend less time per patient. This may prevent personalized care that you may want.
- Seek help from a hospital or a medical tourism mediator to meet additional needs. This may include accommodation, local travel, translation services and transfer from the hospital.
- Check the access to the hospital online before choosing it. Look for patient reviews and Google reviews.
- Check hospital accreditation. Prefer to choose a hospital that is certified by Joint Commission International (JCI).
- Ask all information in advance about the type of implants to be used. In addition, ask for a detailed profile of the surgeon who will conduct the surgery.
- Please estimate the potential costs associated with airline tickets, hotels, food and other expenses.
