How Much Does A Knee Replacement Cost Without Insurance?

“The cost of knee replacement starts from $3900. The hospitals in India promise unparalleled health treatments at low-cost packages.

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A knee replacement surgery is one of the most common joint operations that is being performed currently. The surgery has led to significant improvement in the quality of life of people suffering from knee pain and disability due to arthritis or other conditions.

It has been proven as the most effective method when the pain becomes too much, even affecting the patient’s daily life, and non-invasive treatment options such as physical therapy and steroid injection do not work. However, the expense of the surgery without insurance coverage can be a major issue for many people.

Knee replacement surgery can be covered by some health insurance companies. But in some cases, it might be excluded or the increased premium costs may prevent a person from getting it covered. Some people may choose to delay the treatment which may then affect the outlook as there might be further deterioration of the knee condition and associated symptoms.

In such situations, knee replacement in India can be a cost-effective and safe option for the treatment of knee arthritis or pain. Not only the patient gets to save up on the overall treatment for knee replacement surgery without insurance, but they also have the benefits of the best hospital services, the latest surgical technology, and no waiting period for their surgery. 

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How Much Does a Knee Replacement Cost Without Insurance?

Daycare knee replacement cost starts from USD 4000 at the top hospitals in Delhi. Furthermore, the cost of a hospital stays is also reduced. It is available for select patients who are fit for the surgery.

The standard knee replacement cost in India ranges from USD 5000 to 8000. The same surgery may cost $57,000 on average in countries such as the USA and some European countries. 

CountryStarting Price (USD)
India$4,000
Turkey$7,000
Thailand$7,000
UAE$9,000
Spain$14,850
UK$18,715
USA$57,000

 

Knee replacement is a major operation that can be considerably expensive if one has to pay without an insurance pay-out. In addition, there are other costs, such as prescribed medications for pain and physical therapy or rehabilitation, that may exceed the limits for the overall expenditure.

However, this doesn’t mean the patient should avoid surgery when it is indicated by an expert. There are many less expensive and cost-saving ways to have the surgery within the budget. India has a number of government and private hospitals that are reputed multi-specialty tertiary medical facilities.

Thousands of patients from all around the world travel to India for advanced healthcare services every year. One of the major reasons for the popularity of medical tourism in India is the cost-effective medical packages.

The affordability of the treatment in India can be attributed to many factors such as currency exchange prices, capping for implant price and more. An international patient may save a significant amount of money, making hip replacement without insurance a continent and effective option. The packages generally include primary evaluation, surgeon’s fee, room charges, hospital expendables, and medication costs.

Why choose Indian hospitals for knee replacement surgery?

The top orthopedic hospitals in India routinely receive international patients from all parts of the world. These hospitals are accredited by national and international organizations such as JCI and NABH for their quality of patient care services and clinical excellence.

The orthopedic surgeons in India are highly knowledgeable and skilled in their field of expertise. They are up-to-date with the recent developments in joint replacements and experienced in performing basic to complex knee replacement surgeries.

The best knee replacement surgeons in India offer the latest surgical technologies, including key-hole surgery, computer navigation and robot-assisted hip replacements. They also offer day-care knee replacement surgeries which allow the patient to leave the hospital the same day as the operation. 

Many hospitals such as the Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Medanta The Medcity, Fortis Healthcare group and more, have a dedicated international patient service department. The team of specialists at this department provides a range of services to cater to all the needs of a foreign patient.

The team aids the patient throughout the journey, from teleconsultations and booking appointments to pre and post-surgery follow-up care. They offer a variety of facilities and services, including airport drop off/pick up, visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, multiple payment methods, currency exchange and many more. 

Here are a few points that must be considered while choosing the best hospitals for knee replacement in India: 

  • Location of the hospital
  • Accreditations and certifications
  • The latest equipment and technology
  • Team of doctors and surgeons
  • International patient services and department 
  • Safety standards

Read in detail about the Top 10 knee replacement hospitals in India

Variations in the cost 

The package price may vary based on various factors, including:

  • Choice of the hospital: The medical center’s location, accreditation and overall standard of the hospital influence the package cost. The internationally accredited knee replacement hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and other major cities are state-of-the-art facilities that provide excellent quality of services to the patient. This makes the cost slightly more in comparison to the hospitals in minor cities or without accreditations. 
  • Type of knee replacement surgery: The price for partial knee replacement is lower than the total knee replacement surgery by 10-20%. The doctor determines the type of surgery needed by the patient based on their condition and recommends the best type of hip replacement surgery based on it. 
  • Quality of implants: A variety of knee prosthetics are available, depending on the type of material and their manufactures. The prices vary with the choice of the implant which is determined based on the patient’s age, overall health, medical condition and doctor’s recommendation. 
  • Type of technology used: Knee surgery with advanced surgical systems such as NAV3 computer navigation and robot-assisted minimally invasive approach may cost more than the standard method. However, these approaches or technology offer the benefits of faster recovery, less post-operative pain and complications, shorter hospital stay and minimal scarring. 
  • Surgeon’s fee: This makes an important part of the complete package. The fee might be higher for a more experienced and skilled surgeon, but their success record is a considerable factor. 
  • Length of hospital stay: This depends on the type of surgery and technique involved, along with the choice of room category. Minimally invasive approaches may lead to a shorter hospital stay.

Outpatient Knee replacement

Daycare knee replacement surgery is increasingly becoming more common. The patients get discharges on the same day after their surgery. This procedure helps cuts down the cost associated with hospital inpatient rooms.

The candidates for an outpatient knee or hip replacement surgery should be healthy individuals under the age of 70 years with a conducive home environment for rehabilitation. The patients must strictly follow all the instructions and rehabilitation plans provided by their medical team. To achieve the best outcomes, there should be no compromise on the recovery process.

To know the precise quote for the knee replacement surgery cost without insurance at the top hospital in India, share your medical reports and query with us at care@lyfboat.com. Lyfboat is an accredited platform that connects you with the best experts and hospitals in the country of your choice.

We offer dedicated services to each patient, aiding and assisting them and their families throughout their journey, from travel logistics to personal assistance during their stay in the hospital and the country.

Our team is available round-the-clock and provides prompt responses. We even negotiate on the patient’s behalf to ensure they get the most discounted prices from the hospital, without compromising the quality of care. 

Additional costs for knee replacement

Although inpatient stay and hospital charges are the biggest part of the total expenditure, there are some outpatient services before and after the procedure that also cost. Outpatient services are the ones that one takes outside the hospital. This includes:

  • Pre- and postoperative expenses for clinic visits and diagnostic tests (some hospitals may include these in the package and not charge separately)
  • Physical therapy after the surgery
  • Follow-up visits with the surgeon after discharge from the hospital

Medical insurance companies may pay as much as 80 percent for the outpatient service charges but the private insurance plans vary. Discuss this with the experts before the surgery. There are some deductibles and copays that may apply to outpatient or doctor visits before and after the surgery.

How can Lyfboat assist you getting knee replacement in India?

World's Most Trusted Medical Advisory & Discount Platform

Lyfboat is a free advisory platform; we do not charge any fees from patients. In fact, we negotiate the price that Indian hospitals offer. In some cases we are able to reduce the cost by negotiating upto 20% of what Hospitals generally offer. We advise the best treatment from the top hospital/surgeon at best price.

About Knee replacement surgery

The knees are the weight-bearing complex joints in the body. There are increasing cases of knee replacement surgery as the sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, and weight gain issues are rising among the general population. Additionally, the knees demand more attention as with age due to wear and tear.

Chronic knee pain can be a debilitating condition that may impact the daily life of an individual. Osteoarthritis, knee injury or certain strenuous activity or problems that have a long-term effect on health may lead to the need for knee replacement surgery. It aims to help restore normal knee functions and relieve pain as well as other symptoms.

Knee arthroplasty, also known as knee replacement surgery, involves replacement of damaged bone and cartilage with an artificial joint or prosthesis.

Why need a knee replacement?

There are various types of arthritis that can cause damage to the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that typically affects middle-aged and older adults. It causes the breakdown of joint cartilage as well as adjacent bone in the knees, which leads to pain and difficulty in movement.

Another condition that may lead to the need for knee replacement is rheumatoid arthritis. In this, there is inflammation in the synovial membrane, which leads to excessive synovial fluid, causing pain, and stiffness in the joint. Traumatic arthritis is the type of arthritis that occurs due to an injury. If the cartilage and bones of the knee are damaged, they may need replacement.

In knee replacement surgery, the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged are is resurfaced to relieve knee pain. It can be the most effective option for some people when other treatments have failed.

The indications for knee replacement surgery generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Chronic pain in the knee joint that persists even when resting
  • No significant relief from pain medications or therapies
  • Problems with walking or performing normal activities in daily life

The orthopedic surgeon will first evaluate the patient with physical examination and some imaging tests, to see damage to cartilage surrounding the joint area. Based on the extent of damage and symptoms, the doctor recommends the appropriate type of treatment. 

Types of Knee replacement 

  • Total knee replacement: This is the most commonly performed type of knee replacement procedure. The surgeon removes the damaged parts of the knee joints and replaces them with the metal tibial and femoral implants. The replacements can be either cemented to the bone or press-fit them onto the bone. There are various kinds of implants based on the material, goal, fixation method and manufacturing. The joint bones are first prepared to shape it and allow the implants to fit properly. 
  • Partial knee replacement: Also known as uni-compartmental knee replacement, this surgery involves the removal and replacement of only the arthritic part of the knee joint. This allows the surgeon to preserve as much of the healthy bone and soft tissue as possible. This type of surgery is generally recommended when osteoarthritis is limited to only one compartment of the knee. Surgery is done for the particular anatomical compartments of the knee that are diseased and cause the most pain. During a Partial Knee Replacement, the arthritic portion of the knee, including bone and cartilage, is replaced with implants made of metal and plastic components. It provides the advantage of shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, less pain after the surgery, less trauma and blood loss. However, it is suitable for only the select patient. 
  • Knee revision surgery: This type of surgery is done to remove and replace the implant parts that were placed in the primary surgery. It is usually needed when the new joint has dislocated or due to other complications. There are more risks as it is a secondary surgery. Although the implant quality has improved over the years, they usually last for 10-15 years. People who have a joint replacement at a young age may need another replacement when the implant undergoes wear and tear.

What to expect from a knee replacement surgery?

Before the knee replacement procedure

Knee replacement surgery is a major operation that is performed under the effects of anesthesia. The choice might be general anesthesia, which makes the patient completely unconscious during the surgery, or spinal anesthesia, with which the patient remains awake but does not feel pain from the waist down. The right type is determined on the basis of the doctor’s recommendation and personal preference. 

The patient also receives intravenous antibiotics before, during, and after the procedure in order to prevent post-surgical infection. Sometimes, a nerve block is also administered around the knee to numb it. The doctor will discuss and ask about the medications the patient is taking and if they can raise the risk of surgery or postoperative complications, advise them to stop taking those medications. 

During the knee replacement procedure

The total knee replacement can be performed with either Cruciate retaining or posterior stabilized approach, depending on the patient’s needs. 

The surgeon then makes the incision to expose the kneecap and the joint bones. The damaged joint is cut away with special instruments. The standard open approach involves a long incision while minimally invasive knee replacement is performed with small incisions. The latter results in less surgical trauma to tissues, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay and fewer chances of post-operative complications. 

The joint surfaces are first prepared for the attachment of the parts of the artificial joint. The metal femoral and tibial implants are placed and fixed with the cement or press-fit method. Then a plastic button is inserted underneath the kneecap, also known as the patella. 

This may require resurfacing the kneecap for to better fixation of the button. 

The incision is closed with sutures. The surgeon may bend and rotate the knee, testing it to ensure proper function. 

After the knee replacement procedure

The patient is moved to a recovery room after the surgery for a few hours. The medical team monitors the patient and once the effects of anesthesia subside, they are shifted to the inpatient hospital room.

Depending on the type and technique, the patient may get discharged from the hospital on the same day as surgery or stay for a couple of days. The doctors administer antibiotics and pain medications to control the pain and discomfort.

While in the hospital, the patient is encouraged to move the foot and ankle to increase blood flow to the leg muscles and prevent swelling and blood clots. Some patients are recommended to wear support hose or compression boots to further prevent swelling and clotting.

The physical therapy and medical team guide the patient to gradually move around and take small walks. Gradually, the activity level is increased to strengthen the muscles and improve the range of motion. After leaving the hospital, the patient has to continue physical therapy at home or at an outpatient facility.

It is important to do all the exercises regularly, as per the instructions and take care of the precautions.

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