Knee Joint Replacement in Turkey: Cost, Surgery, and Recovery

Knee replacement is a final solution for restoring the knee joint function, relieving pain, and retaining normal life by replacing the damaged joint with a new synthetic joint.

Either a total or partial replacement of the destructed joint represents a life-changing step for a healthier, younger feeling and pain-free life.

In Turkey, knee replacement surgery is performed by a group of the best orthopedic surgeons around the world

Discover who can benefit from this knee arthroplasty, how much does knee replacement surgery cost in Turkey, and why you should choose Turkey.

Feel free to contact us at International Clinics in Istanbul, find out our services and book for a free consultation.

What is knee replacement surgery?

The knee replacement, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to replace damaged parts of the knee joint with an artificial human-made component, a prosthetic implant aiming to improve knee function and relieve pain.

This procedure is indicated for patients who have severe arthritis that leads to partial or complete knee joint damage that causes chronic, intolerable pain and affects the knee joint functionality and the patient's life.

What is replaced in knee replacement surgery?
knee joint replacement parts depend on the damaged tissue and the type of knee replacement surgery.

The knee is a complex joint; this joint consists of:

The knee cartilage: Two types of knee cartilage, the meniscus cartilage that aids in shock absorption and the articular cartilage that covers the bone surfaces and reduces the friction between the connected bones, allowing for free movement of the joint.

The bone surfaces: Parts of the bone that are attached to the cartilage from the upper and lower sides, including the tibia and femur.

They are also covered with cartilage to allow for smooth slipping without friction.

The implant component consists of part or all of the knee parts depending on the damaged parts and the type of surgery; total or partial replacement surgery.

knee replacement joint materials and manufacturers:

The implant is composed of metal parts and plastic parts, the metal part is typically made from titanium or cobalt-chromium-based alloys.

The plastic parts are made of medical grade polyethylene.

ًKnee replacement companies and manufacturers should consider that all prosthetic knee components should be biocompatible, durable and strong to ensure safe, effective and long lasting knee replacement.

Who is the best surgeon?

The orthopedic surgeon is the doctor who is qualified to perform this procedure, and you should search for a highly skilled surgeon with extensive expertise, broad certification, and a specialty in arthroplasty.

Some expert surgeons charge more, and for most, the price is quite high, but you can still find an excellent surgeon at a reasonable cost.

Even more, you can negotiate with a doctor to find the best payment option that suits your budget.

Several clinics offer discounts, third-party payment options, and various deals that can make your surgery more affordable without breaking the bank.

Why choose Turkey for knee replacement?

Best surgeon: Turkey is a home for the best qualified surgeon around the world.

Affordable Prices: The best financial options and payment plans with affordable medical packages are available in most Turkish clinics for patients from all around the world.

Medical Packages: All-inclusive packages facilitate patients' travel, making the medical journey cost-effective and convenient.

Cost-Effective Surgery: When considering long-term benefits, having a successful surgery, even at a higher initial cost, saves money over time. Many patients spend large amounts on non-surgical treatments that provide no lasting relief. Opting for surgery in a highly reputable clinic with a high success rate is ultimately more cost-effective.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: Turkish clinics are equipped with top-quality and advanced techniques, strictly adhering to international quality control standards set by WHO and FDA.

Advanced Equipment: Clinics use modern medical technology to ensure precision, safety, and optimal patient outcomes.

High-Quality Services: Turkish clinics are committed to providing exceptional patient care, ensuring comfort, safety, and comprehensive support throughout the treatment journey.

Knee replacement cost in Turkey

The cost of knee replacement surgery in Turkey ranges between $8,000 and $12,000.

This price range varies depending on several factors, including the type of knee implant, the type of surgery (partial or total knee replacement), whether the procedure is unilateral or bilateral(one knee or both knees) , the clinic's location and reputation, and the surgeon's experience.

cost of knee replacement surgery in the UK ranges between $22,500 and 23,800

Cost of knee replacement surgery in the US is between $20,000 and $35,000

Cost of Knee replacement surgery in Europe countries ranges between $12,800 and $22,200

Cost of knee joint replacement in India is between $5,000 and $8,000.

Some countries may offer comparable prices but without the same level of medical care.

Cost of knee replacement surgery for different types of knee surgery:

Types of Knee Joint Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery comes in several types:

Total vs, partial knee replacement:

The two most common types are total and partial knee surgery which vary in the size of knee damage the amount of replaced knee.

Traditional surgery vs. minimally invasive knee replacement:

Some surgeries are performed by traditional surgery, an open invasive surgery, while others can be done by minimally invasive techniques which use smaller incisions to reduce tissue damage and speed up recovery.

Modern technology involves surgeries:

Robotic-assisted surgeries represent the latest advancement in knee replacement. In this advanced technique, a robotic arm helps the surgeon perform highly precise and delicate steps, ensuring maximum success with minimal complications

1. Total Knee Joint Replacement

In total knee replacement the knee joint is entirely replaced by an artificial knee or implant.

The implant consists of biocompatible metal or plastic components that replace the damaged knee tissues including cartilage and the bone surfaces connected to the cartilage

The aim is to restore knee joint function seamlessly.

The knee joint is replaced by an artificial knee when extensive damage affects all parts of the knee and this usually occurs in severe end stage arthritis

This is the most common type that represents the final solution for patients with complete knee damage and end stage arthritis.

2. Partial Knee Joint Replacement

Partial knee joint replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or unicondylar knee arthroplasty, is a procedure where only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with artificial components.

This approach preserves the healthy sections of the knee, typically requires smaller incisions, and allows for a shorter recovery period. However, it is not suitable for all patients.

Only individuals with localized arthritis and early-stage knee damage, where the rest of the knee joint remains healthy, are ideal candidates for this surgery.

3. Hinge Joint Knee Replacement

In hinge knee joint replacement, the knee is replaced with a specially designed prosthetic that includes a hinged or rotating platform to facilitate movement in complex cases

Hinge joint knee replacement is suitable for:

1. Severely damaged bones,

2. Damaged or weak ligaments

3. extensive knee deformities as in case of accident or trauma

4. In revision knee replacement surgery, when a previous surgery is performed and failed to achieve the desired effect, failed or cause complication and more destructive damage of knee

When the implant is supported with a hinge this allows for complete knee movements in all sides including rotation rather than only forward and backward movement.

Knee Joint Replacement Procedure

Preparation for the surgery:

During the initial evaluation, the surgeon will assess your knee, performing tests and ordering images like X-rays or MRIs to determine the suitable type of knee replacement and surgical approach, whether a traditional or minimally invasive procedure is more appropriate for your condition, along with the type of anesthesia.

The decision depends on the degree of knee deterioration, your age, general health condition, and the presence of other chronic diseases.

After creating the surgical plan, the surgeon will provide you with full instructions that you must follow before the surgery. These instructions include:

1. Stop taking some medication include blood thinner medication and nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs to allow for healing and prevent complication,

2. Do not eat or drink for 6-12 hours before the procedure

3. Quit smoking and alcohol before and after the procedure.

4. Losing some weight; overweight patients have some risk for knee replacement failure due to increased compression over the prosthetic knee.

5. Preparing the home with mobility aids such as crutches or walkers.

6. Arranging for assistance from family or caregivers during the recovery period.

During the knee replacement procedure:

1. Anesthesia phase: The procedure is performed under either a general anesthesia or a spinal anesthesia depending on your health condition, you should tell the anesthesiologist about any medication you use and any hypersensitivity to medications.

2. Incision making: the surgeon makes an incision, the injury size depends on the type of procedure the traditional surgery involves larger incision than the minimally invasive surgery another factor is the size of treated area and type of replacement; total replacement surgery requires larger incision than the partial replacement.

3.Removal of damaged tissues: The extent of tissue removal depends on the severity of the damage. More extensive damage requires the removal of larger portions of cartilage and bone. This step requires precision and expertise, as it can affect the procedure time and the overall outcome.

4. Placement of the knee implant: The surgeon fits the artificial components in place, securing them using either bone cement or a cementless technique that allows the bone to integrate with the implant over time.

5. The last step is the injury closure after that you will be transformed to the recovery room.

The procedure usually requires 1 to 2 hours. Most patients are able to return home in the same day, but in rare conditions the surgeon will recommend you to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 days for medical inspection.

Any surgical complication occurring during the procedure will be due to health conditions other than the surgery and the patient may need an intensive care unit for monitoring, however these conditions are very rare.

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Recovery and Aftercare for Knee Joint Replacement

The recovery period starts immediately after the surgery and lasts for several months, involving the healing process, resolution of side effects, and the gradual appearance of results.

Full recovery may take several months, with complete functional improvement achieved within 6 to 12 months.

Full recovery takes between 6 months to 1 year.

During the first 24 hours:

1. Most patients suffer some side effects like pain, swelling and general fatigue however these side effects subside during the first two weeks.

2. Patients have to follow doctor's instructions carefully, these instructions include a slight movement in the first few days that gradually increases during the next weeks.

Such movement is crucial for:

• preventing post surgical blood clot formation
• prevent muscle rigidity
• improve blood circulation around the body and in the surgery location, this enhances the healing process.

3.Patients may need crutches or walkers to aid in walking, protect from falling, and minimize stress over the prosthetic knee.

During the first 6 weeks:

The side effects such as pain and swelling subside gradually and may resolve completely by the end of this stage.

The injury healing process should be completed

It is important to increase your movement, exercises and physical activity during this period.

The next 6 to 12 weeks:

You start walking without assistance and return to normal life gradually,

The long term recover; 3 to 6 months later

It is recommended to return to a low impact exercise but to avoid not the high impact, your life will be easier, free of pain and with more flexible movements.

• Joint Effusion After Knee Replacement

Joint effusion knee replacement is accumulation of fluids inside the knee, it occurs after the total knee replacement inflammation a side effect.

The risk increases in case of infection, surgical mistakes or due to poor compliance to post surgical instructions.

Excessive knee effusion may result in late postoperative pain, limited postoperative joint motion, and even implant failure.

This side effect subside few days after the procedure, however, in some cases

knee effusion may last longer and require a doctor visit to recommend some antiinflammatory medications.

• Joint Camp for Knee Replacement

A Joint Camp is a structured rehabilitation program designed to improve recovery outcomes for knee replacement patients. It involves a combination of pre-surgical education and post-surgical therapy.

Many hospitals and rehabilitation centers offer joint camps as part of their knee replacement recovery programs, helping patients regain independence more effectively.

Benefits of a Joint Camp:

• Faster recovery and improved mobility.
• Reduced hospital stay and lower risk of complications.
• Increased confidence in managing post-surgical care.

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Knee Joint Replacement Results

The results of a successful knee replacement surgery is a long lasting pain relief, restoring of normal leg movement and life activities.

The successful rate of knee replacement surgery in Turkey reached up to 95%.

Several factors contribute to success of prosthetic knee arthroplasty:

• The surgeon experience
• Post surgery instructions following, rehabilitation and physical activity program commitment.
• Type and quality of prosthetic implant
• The extent of knee destruction
• The techniques and devices used in the surgery.

• Knee Joint Replacement X-Ray

Postoperative X-rays are typically performed immediately after surgery and during follow-up visits to monitor long-term implant stability. If a patient experiences persistent pain or reduced mobility, additional X-rays may be required to rule out complications.

An X-ray after knee joint replacement is a crucial imaging test used to assess the position, alignment, and stability of the prosthetic implant. It helps doctors evaluate the success of the surgery and detect any complications, such as implant loosening, misalignment, or bone fractures around the implant.

• What Does a Knee Replacement Joint Look Like?

Prosthetic components closely resemble the natural knee. However the prosthetic joint is composed of plastic and metal rather than bone and cartilage. It is designed to mimic a natural knee joint's size, shape and functionality. .

Cost and Affordability of Knee Joint Replacement in Turkey

Turkish prices for knee replacement surgery is one of the most cost effective prices around the world ,

Cost-effectiveness is not just about price; it also relates to the quality of medical care, the services and outcomes gained by that price

Despite the variability in the knee surgery price, the cost of orthopedic surgeries in Turkey is significantly lower than the price of the same surgery in other western countries.

Beside offering the most cost effective orthopedic surgeries, Turkish clinics offer the same quality of services, depend on the state-of-art technologies and devices and aim for the highest successful rate in orthopedic surgeries which make it one of the best destinations for these surgeries worldwide.

For international patients, Turkish clinics offer all-inclusive medical packages. These packages cover all essential fees along with additional expenses.

Comprehensive knee replacement surgery packages include:

• All surgery fees, including the initial consultation, medical tests and imaging, surgery expenses, required facilities, and surgeon and anesthesiologist fees.
• Travel investment, including airfare, transportation, accommodation, and translation services.
• Post-surgical medical care, required medications, and follow-up visits.

For patients who do not prefer these medical packages, we offer other payment facilities to make surgery more affordable. These financial options include:

• Credit card payment
• Third-party payment
• Discounts and year-round payment plans

These offers vary between clinics in Turkey, so it is recommended to contact the clinic directly to get detailed information about the available packages and payment options

At International Clinics, we provide you with the best treatment options, comprehensive services, and competitive prices. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about our exclusive knee replacement surgery packages!

FAQs

How long does it take to recover from a replacement knee?

Most patients will take up to 3 months to return to most activities and likely 6 months to one year to fully recover to maximal strength and endurance following a total knee replacement.

What is the best age to have a knee replacement?

The recommendation for knee replacement surgery depends on the patient's need, however, because the prosthetic knee durability ranges between 15 and 20 years some surgeons prefer to delay the surgery to prolong its durability.

So Doctors sometimes recommend that people under age 60 wait to undergo a knee replacement procedure because these artificial joints typically last only about 15 to 20 years. If someone younger gets the procedure, the joint will likely need to be replaced again down the line

What is the hardest part of knee replacement recovery?

The first six weeks are the toughest. Of those six weeks, the first week is the hardest.