Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Worn knee joint replaced with metal and polyethylene implant. Most commonly performed orthopaedic procedure internationally.
Typical cost abroad: $5,000–$12,000 abroad vs $30,000–$50,000 in US
Orthopedic Surgery Abroad — Costs, Best Countries & Top Clinics
Total knee replacement surgery costs $5,000–$8,000 in India and $7,000–$12,000 in Turkey, compared to $30,000–$50,000 in the US — saving patients 70–88%. Hip replacement costs $6,000–$14,000 abroad versus $30,000–$50,000 in the US, using the same Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker implants.
Orthopedic Surgery — Key Facts at a Glance
- Knee replacement savings in India
- Save 80–88% vs US
- Implant brands used
- Zimmer Biomet, DePuy, Stryker (same as US/UK)
- Robotic surgery availability
- Yes, at selected centres in India/Turkey
- Success rate (knee replacement)
- 95%+ at 10 years
- NHS knee replacement wait (UK)
- 12–24 months in many areas
Medically reviewed by Dr. Murat Ustun, M.D., Founder & Medical Director, Flytocure Healthcare.
Overview: Orthopedic Surgery as a Medical Tourist
Hip and knee replacement surgery abroad costs 60–80% less than in the US and UK, with equivalent outcomes at JCI-accredited hospitals in India, Turkey, and Thailand. India's top orthopaedic hospitals perform over 50,000 joint replacements annually.
What is Orthopedic Surgery?
Orthopaedic surgery abroad covers joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder, ankle), arthroscopic procedures, spinal surgery, sports medicine, and fracture repair. The same implant brands used by US and UK surgeons — Zimmer Biomet, DePuy Synthes, Stryker — are used at major international orthopaedic centres, at significantly lower total cost.
Orthopedic Surgery Cost Comparison by Country (2026)
The table below shows typical all-inclusive costs for orthopedic surgery at accredited international hospitals, compared to home-country prices.
| Country | Typical Price Range | Saving vs US |
|---|---|---|
 India |
$5,000–$8,000 (knee replacement) | Save 80–88% |
 Turkey |
$7,000–$12,000 (knee replacement) | Save 70–80% |
 Thailand |
$10,000–$16,000 (knee replacement) | Save 60–72% |
 Malaysia |
$8,000–$12,000 (knee replacement) | Save 65–75% |
 United Kingdom |
£12,000–£20,000 (knee replacement) | — |
 United States |
$30,000–$50,000 (knee replacement) | Reference price |
Prices are indicative and include surgeon fees, anaesthesia, and hospital stay unless otherwise stated. Actual quotes are confirmed by each clinic. Use our free cost calculator for a personalised estimate.
Types of Orthopedic Surgery: Which Is Right for You?
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
Arthritic hip joint replaced with ball-and-socket prosthesis. Ceramic-on-ceramic or metal-on-polyethylene options.
Typical cost abroad: $6,000–$14,000 abroad vs $30,000–$50,000 in US
Shoulder Replacement
Total or reverse shoulder arthroplasty for severe shoulder arthritis or rotator cuff tear arthropathy.
Typical cost abroad: $7,000–$15,000 abroad vs $25,000–$40,000 in US
Arthroscopic Surgery (Knee/Shoulder)
Minimally invasive joint surgery for meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, labrum work.
Typical cost abroad: $3,000–$7,000 abroad vs $15,000–$30,000 in US
Robotic-Assisted Joint Replacement
MAKO or similar robotic system for greater precision in implant positioning. Available at selected international centres.
Typical cost abroad: $9,000–$15,000 abroad (premium)
Best Countries for Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
- India
- Turkey
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Germany
Recovery Time & Travel Planning for Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
Total knee replacement: 3–5 days hospital, 6–8 weeks before flying (blood clot risk), 3–6 months full recovery. Hip replacement: 3–5 days hospital, 6–8 weeks before flying, 3–6 months full recovery. Arthroscopy: 1 day hospital, can fly after 1–2 weeks.
What to Look for in a Orthopedic Surgery Clinic Abroad
- Orthopaedic surgeon with 500+ annual joint replacements
- Named implant brand (Zimmer Biomet, DePuy, Stryker) — confirm in writing
- On-site physiotherapy and rehabilitation from day 1 post-op
- DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prevention protocol
- JCI or national hospital accreditation
Accreditations to Look For in a Orthopedic Surgery Hospital
- JCI
- NABH (India)
- ISO 9001
- National orthopaedic board certification
Frequently Asked Questions: Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
How much does knee replacement cost in India?
Total knee replacement in India costs $5,000–$8,000 using Zimmer Biomet, DePuy, or Stryker implants — the same brands as US hospitals. This saves 80–88% compared to the US cost of $30,000–$50,000. Apollo, Fortis, and Max Healthcare are India's leading orthopaedic centres.
Can I use the same implant brand abroad as my US surgeon recommended?
Yes. Major international orthopaedic centres stock the same Zimmer Biomet, DePuy Synthes, and Stryker implants used in the US and UK. Request the specific implant brand and model in writing before surgery to confirm.
When can I fly home after hip or knee replacement?
Most orthopaedic surgeons recommend waiting 6–8 weeks before long-haul flights after hip or knee replacement due to blood clot (DVT) risk. Compression stockings, blood thinners, and regular movement during the flight are essential. Short domestic flights may be permitted after 3–4 weeks with medical clearance.
198 clinics available worldwide for orthopedic surgery.
Top Clinics for Orthopedic Surgery
Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 534 reviews
Acıbadem Healthcare Group's flagship facility opened in 2017 with 350 beds, 18 operating theatres, 75 ICU beds, and 98,000 sqm of space. JCI-accredited and LEED Gold certified. Features hybrid operating room with 3 Tesla intraoperative MRI, 128-slice sliding CT, and robotic arm angiography. Advanced oncology with Tomotherapy, TrueBeam, VitalBeam, and Gamma Knife Icon.
Acıbadem Atakent Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.7/5 | 412 reviews
University hospital of Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University with JCI Academic Medical Center accreditation. Features 262 beds, 12 operating rooms, 60 ICU beds, and 60,000 sqm facilities. Advanced radiation oncology with TrueBeam, VitalBeam, Radixact/Tomotherapy, CyberKnife, and Gamma Knife.
Acıbadem Kent Hospital
Izmir, Turkey | Rating: 4.7/5 | 110 reviews
Acıbadem Kent Hospital is a top private hospital in Izmir, Turkey, part of the Acıbadem Healthcare Group. Features 3 Tesla MRI, da Vinci robotic surgery, PET-CT, TrueBeam radiotherapy, and 256-Slice CT Scanner. Specialists in cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and pediatrics.
Acıbadem Maslak Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 420 reviews
Flagship hospital of Turkey's largest private healthcare group (29 hospitals, 5 countries). JCI-accredited and LEED Gold certified. Partner of Harvard Medical International and IHH Healthcare. Features CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, Da Vinci robotics, and AI Command Center. FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.
Acıbadem Taksim Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.7/5 | 120 reviews
JCI-accredited hospital in Istanbul's Şişli district opened in 2015, with 93 beds, 7 operating rooms, Da Vinci robotic surgery, and comprehensive specialties including oncology and neurology.
American Hospital Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 678 reviews
Turkey's oldest and most prestigious private hospital, established in 1920 in Istanbul's Nişantaşı district. JCI-accredited with 278 beds, Da Vinci robotic surgery, advanced oncology with CyberKnife, comprehensive cardiac center, and a pioneering organ transplant program. International reference center with over a century of medical excellence.
Anadolu Medical Center
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.6/5 | 514 reviews
JCI-accredited multi-specialty hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Among the Top 10 hospitals worldwide (MTQUA). Offers cutting-edge cancer treatment with MR LINAC, CyberKnife, Da Vinci robotic surgery. Top 5 in Europe for bone marrow transplantation.
Bayındır Söğütözü Hospital
Ankara, Turkey | Rating: 4.5/5 | 234 reviews
JCI-accredited hospital in Ankara since 1992 with 131 beds, 35 ICU beds, and 7 operating rooms. Ministry of Health-certified Heart Centre. First private hospital bone marrow transplant center in Turkey (2005). First JCI-accredited oncology center in Ankara. Now part of Acıbadem Healthcare Group.
Bumrungrad International Hospital
Bangkok, Thailand | Rating: 4.9/5 | 1245 reviews
Asia's premier international hospital serving over 1.1 million patients annually from 190 countries.
Doruk Nilüfer Hospital
Bursa, Turkey | Rating: 4.5/5 | 285 reviews
State-of-the-art healthcare facility in Bursa, Turkey with 370 beds, 13 operating rooms, and 100+ specialist physicians. Part of Doruk Healthcare Group (3 hospitals, 2 medical centers). Features JCI-accredited care, a unique integrated thermal spa with 11 swimming pools, the only registered heliport in South Marmara region, and comprehensive medical tourism services. Specializes in aesthetic surgery, obesity/bariatric surgery, orthopedics, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and oncology.