Knee Replacement Surgery Cost

There are two types of knee replacement surgeries. Traditional total knee replacement surgery is the first type of knee surgery which includes larger incisions and a longer recovery period. Minimally invasive knee surgery is the second type of knee replacement surgery which includes smaller incisions and a relatively shorter recovery period. Knee replacement surgery cost depends on the type of surgery patient goes for and the variety of facilities patient chooses.

Knee joint is a major joint in human body and any surgical treatment of knee joint is considered to be a serious treatment especially because of the knee replacement surgery cost. Hence orthopedic surgeons try to avoid the surgical treatment for as long as possible and try some other basic treatments before going for a total knee replacement surgery.

Knee replacement surgery cost in different parts of the world

Knee replacement surgery cost is different in different parts of the world. Western developed countries charge more than the developing countries as far as the treatment is concerned. Patients are sometimes concerned about the quality of services provided by different hospitals in different parts of the world. Knee replacement surgery cost in UK goes upto 26,000 pounds. Knee replacement surgery cost in USA is as high as US$ 45,000. Knee replacement surgery cost in India is however much less and is found to be only US$ 7000 even in one of the best corporate hospitals.

Knee replacement surgery packages

Knee replacement surgery cost depends upon the implant, gender, age and the preferred type of accommodation. It has been observed that knee replacement surgery cost is lower in most of the developing countries and it is lowest in India. Most of the knee replacement surgery packages include a seven night stay in a single room, doctor's and nursing charges, surgeon's, assistant's and anesthesiologist's fee, theatre charges, physiotherapy charges, post operation investigations and x-ray charges, charges of the patient's diet and other charges of surgery related medications.

Hidden charges in knee replacement surgery packages

There are a number of hidden charges in various knee replacement surgery packages. Most of the knee replacement surgery packages do not include preoperative consultation with orthopedic surgeon, preoperative investigations of the treatment, pain control management if pain occurs for a longer time, blood transfusion if needed after the operation, stay in hospital for excess of seven nights, extra food and room service charges. Cases where severe deformities occur after the operation, hospital administration will charge it apart from the knee replacement surgery cost.

Knee replacement surgery cost and the health insurance

Health insurance has a major effect on the knee replacement surgery cost. In USA, the cost of a knee replacement surgery for patients without any health insurance can go up to US$ 35000. Above all, patients in UK and other European countries have to wait for a long time to get their knee replacement surgery done. Hence it is beneficial for patients to visit any of the developing countries where the knee replacement surgery cost includes the airfare as well.