Knee Replacement Cost in India

Globalization, along with increasing connectivity between countries, has given growth to medical tourism. Now, healthcare is wider than one's local medical service area. In case you are wondering, travelling from one country to another for medical treatment is what we call medical tourism. It is a growing practice due to many factors.    

The major ones are the quality, availability, and cost of the treatment. That is why India is among the top destinations for medical tourism due to its affordable and high-quality medical treatment, where almost 2 million people from all over the globe travel each year for medical treatment. 

Knee replacement is one of the popular medical tourism procedures. You can save up to 60% of the cost in India when treated by a highly skilled surgeon. Moreover, compared to other countries where it takes months to get an appointment for surgery, you can get it in India within a week.

The purpose of this blog is to provide you with all the information you would need to get a knee replacement in India in great detail. With its benefits, preparation, planning, and even after-care from the procedure.

• Introduction to Knee Replacement Treatment
• Types of Knee Replacement Procedures
• Preparation Involved Before the Knee Replacement Treatment
• Risks associated with Knee Replacement
• Factors affecting the Cost of Knee Replacement In India.
• Available Funding Options For Knee Replacement Costs In India
  

Overview of Knee Replacement Cost in India

The average cost of knee replacement in India varies between Rs. 1,50,000* or $1,810 to Rs.3,80,000* or $4,586. The cost varies from city to city. A few examples of major cities are-

City Minimum Price Maximum Price

• Delhi $1999 - $5065
• Ahmedabad $1669 - $4229
• Bangalore $1962 - $4972
• Pune $1889 - $4786

Comparing it with other countries, it is quite low and hence a popular destination for the procedure. The cost of total knee replacement in other countries is as -

Country Minimum Price Maximum Price

• India $1,810 -$4,586
• USA $30,000 - $50,000
• UK $10,000 - $18,000
• Mexico $7,000 - $15,800

 *Cost varies from hospital to hospital

Which factors are responsible for affecting the cost of knee replacement in India?

Numerous factors have an impact on the cost of treatment. Knowing about them helps in making a well-informed decision about the procedure.

• Location. The cost of treatment can be dependent on the city. It is wise to check the cost of the procedure in different cities and then make the decision. Treatment in metro cities may be more expensive than in other cities in India.
• Quality of Hospital. A high-quality and well-known hospital will charge you more for the treatment than an average one. Room preference will also influence the procedure cost.
• Experience of the surgeon. Top surgeons charge more fees than the average one. The cost is also dependent on their years of experience in the procedure.

Other factors, such as the type and quality of implants used, post-surgery complications, and type of knee replacement surgery, will also influence the cost of the procedure.

What are the Benefits of Getting Knee Replacement in India?

In the past few years, the number of people from different parts of the world visiting India for knee replacement procedures has increased to a significant extent. The reasons or the benefits of getting a knee replacement procedure done in India are-

• The expertise of Orthopedic Surgeons. India has plenty of quality orthopaedic surgeons who are world-renowned for their mastery in the field. They know the latest technology, procedure, and surgical techniques used for knee replacement. Making sure they fulfil all the needs of medical tourists and provide the best care they possibly could receive.
• Availability of the latest technology. Indian hospitals are also equipped with the world's finest medical equipment, which is technologically superior and provides safe and precise treatment. Advanced equipment is one of the major reasons for India's medical tourism popularity.
• Affordable Cost. Along with the abovementioned factors, it provides affordable medical treatment. Even with travel and stay expenses, you will save up to 60% of your money compared to other countries. You can get top-quality treatment from world-renowned surgeons at a low price. Many medical tourists visit India, get their treatment, spend the rest of their trip as a vacation, and still save money.
• Convenient Location. India is already known worldwide for its attractive tourist sites. Language is also not a barrier in India. It is the second-largest English-speaking country in the world. With its well-connected flights, you can easily travel to India.

How to choose the Right Clinic for Knee Replacement in India?

With so many options and locations available in India for a medical procedure, one can get easily confused. That is why you must choose the right clinic for knee replacement in India. There are various factors the medical tourist needs to consider while making the right choice-

• Qualifications of Orthopedic Surgeons
  It is essential to ensure the orthopaedic surgeon is well-qualified. You can ask the surgeon for their qualifications and experience to ensure that. You can also ask the hospitals about their surgeons and experience; they will also help you provide that information.
• Facilities and Technology
  You can ask about the medical equipment the hospital and lab own and if they are sufficient and technologically updated. You can also enquire about other facilities like rooms, food, and hygiene. Try to find out if the behaviour of doctors and staff is friendly.
• Patient Reviews and Testimonials
  This is the best way to know the quality of the procedure, doctors, and the hospital. One can often find patient reviews, testimonials, and success rates on the hospital website. One can also find reviews and testimonials on other third-party websites or Google reviews.
• Cost and Payment Option
  Once you have considered all the factors mentioned above, you should now have a list of 4-5 clinics you might consider getting your treatment. You should now ask for the cost of knee replacement procedures in these clinics. Also, enquire about the available payment options. Once you have all the information available, you can choose based on your convenience.

How to prepare for Knee Replacement Procedure in India?

Visit your doctor, enquire about the procedure and follow their recommendations. It will help you prepare well for the procedure.

• Pre-operative Instructions
  The surgeon and hospital will inform you about some preparations for knee replacement procedures in India:

1. The patient has to stop taking certain medications seven days before the surgery. For example, one has to stop consuming all NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen and Aspirin. This can interfere with blood clotting and will increase blood loss during surgery.
2. If the patient takes blood thinners, the doctors will advise how long before the surgery you must stop them.
3. It is recommended to stop taking supplements seven days before the surgery. However, one can ask their doctor about the supplements before surgery.
4. A dental evaluation is needed before surgery as the bacteria may enter the bloodstream and infect the joint.

• Choosing the right time for the procedure
  Knee replacement surgery is usually the last choice for many patients. They recommend conservative treatment first, like physical therapy, exercise, injections, and medication. Doctors even recommend losing weight before considering the surgery. For many patients, knee pain reduces after losing weight.
• Arrangement for Accommodation and Transportation
  After deciding the right time for the procedure, one needs to book flights to travel to India. Then one should look for accommodation and transportation while in India. It should be as comfortable as possible for the patient. This is to make sure that the patient recovers quickly after the procedure.

Aftercare and Follow-up

The knee replacement procedure is only half of the treatment. The other half is aftercare and follow-up. This is to ensure that the patient recovers well and that the procedure is successful.

• Post-operative Instructions

A doctor may recommend the following instructions post-surgery-

1. Inspect the knee incision once a day and keep it clean and dry.
2. Report and call your doctor if any infection or redness is spotted.
3. Report any unusual pain to your doctors.
4. Use ice to decrease the swelling.
5. While walking is recommended, don’t try to run or jog for four to six weeks after the procedure.

• Importance of Regular Follow-up

Regular follow-ups with doctors are essential to ensure the patient is recovering. Follow-ups also help doctors address any other problem or pain the patient faces after the procedure. In addition, the doctors inspect the knee after the procedure to ensure there is no complication and the patient recovers as quickly as possible.

• Options for Aftercare in India and Home Country

These are some aftercare tips that you can try both in India and your country after your knee replacement procedure:

• Walking
• Using a walker or crutches
• Pillows for elevating lower legs
• Comfortable footwear
• Ice packs for swelling

Key Takeaways

Medical tourists can make their procedure successful by choosing the right clinic for knee replacement in India. Even before one travels to India, one needs to follow pre-operation instructions and start preparing for knee replacement in India. Before travelling here, one should make all the plans and prepare for the procedure. They should have regular follow-ups after the procedure, as recovery is as important as the procedure.

India is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism, with 2 million medical tourists each year. It is a preferred location for knee replacement procedures due to the availability of high-quality orthopaedic surgeons. Along with the availability of high-quality doctors, it is also equipped with world-class medical equipment. It is one of the most affordable places for knee surgery all over the globe, where one gets high-quality medical service at a low and affordable price.

Adotrip.com is your one-stop for all medical tourism services. It offers end-to-end assistance while you are in India for your medical procedure. From booking flights, Accommodations to Air ambulance. It even provides other facilities like assistance in obtaining Medical VISA, Currency exchange, Insurance, and many more. We assist from the start to the end of your medical procedure.  

Write your queries in the comment section for more information about knee replacement procedures in India.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Replacement in India

Ques 1. Does a knee replacement patient need a walker after the procedure?
Ans 1. It is very common for patients to require a walker after knee surgery. This is done to ensure that the knee doesn't take a lot of weight, as the pressure may damage it. Hence such devices are used to help take the weight off the leg.

Ques 2. How soon can a person start to drive after knee replacement surgery?
Ans 2. Patients can return to driving after at least 2-6 weeks from the date of the procedure. Depending on the patient and how quickly they recover, it may take more time.

Ques 3. Is knee replacement treatment very costly?
Ans 3. Knee replacement treatment does require a good amount of money that ranges between INR 1,50,000 to 3,80,000. However, the cost depends on various factors such as the location, quality of the hospital and experience of the surgeon.

Ques 4. Can anyone get knee replacement surgery?
Ans 4. Knee replacement treatment is for people who have pain in the knee joint. The procedure opts as a last resort after conservative treatments have been tried out.

Ques 5. How long must one stay in the hospital after knee replacement surgery?
Ans 5. A knee replacement patient generally stays in the hospital between 3-5 days after the procedure.

Ques 6. How long does a knee replacement procedure take?
Ans 6. The knee replacement procedure usually takes around one to three hours to complete.

Ques 7. What kind of anaesthesia is used during knee replacement procedures?
Ans 7. Patients who go through knee replacement procedures are generally given general anaesthesia.