Orthopedics
Starting from
$3,600
Up to $14,000 depending on centre
Typical duration
7–14 days
Including pre-operative work-up
Partner hospitals
4
Vetted for outcome data & accreditation
Content reviewed for medical accuracy by: Dr. Rodina Ainasoa · Medical Content Writer & Health Communications
Total and partial knee arthroplasty for end-stage osteoarthritis and knee degeneration — internationally accredited orthopaedic centres offer premium implants and rapid recovery pathways at 60–80% less than Western pricing.
Your case is matched to a centre on the basis of clinical outcome data, not marketing. We coordinate every step — from pre-operative work-up to post-treatment follow-up — with a dedicated care coordinator.
Knee Replacement (Total & Partial)
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Both procedures resurface damaged joint cartilage with an artificial implant. The right choice depends on how much of the knee is affected — your orthopaedic surgeon confirms this through clinical exam and imaging.
| Parameter | Total (TKR) | Partial (UKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Bone/cartilage removed | All three knee compartments | Only the damaged compartment |
| Typical hospital stay | Overnight, sometimes longer (same-day discharge also possible) | Little or no hospital stay — same day or one overnight |
| Return to daily activities | 3–6 weeks | By around 6 weeks, with less post-operative pain |
| Implant longevity | 90%+ still functioning well at 15 years | Good medium- and long-term survivorship reported |
| Best suited for | Damage across multiple compartments | Arthritis confined to one compartment only |
Surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours, according to AAOS OrthoInfo. The four core stages below are common to both total and partial replacement, with the extent of resurfacing differing between the two.
Remove damaged cartilage and bone
The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and a thin layer of underlying bone from the affected surfaces of the knee joint.
Position the metal implants
Metal components are positioned to recreate the surface of the joint — these may be cemented or "press-fit" into the bone.
Resurface the kneecap
For a total knee replacement, the undersurface of the kneecap (patella) is cut and resurfaced with a plastic button.
Insert a plastic spacer
A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth gliding surface.
Surgery itself takes 1 to 2 hours. Total replacement patients most likely stay overnight (sometimes longer); partial replacement patients often go home the same day or after one overnight stay.
Most patients resume normal daily activities, per AAOS OrthoInfo — partial-replacement patients typically report less pain and a faster return during this stage.
Most people resume driving once knee bend and muscle control allow safe braking, per AAOS OrthoInfo.
More than 90% of modern total knee replacements are still functioning well at the 15-year mark, per AAOS OrthoInfo. Partial replacements report good medium- and long-term survivorship.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — OrthoInfo. Individual recovery varies.
Known Risks & Limitations
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons — OrthoInfo. No surgery is without risk; your surgeon will review your individual risk profile before you consent to treatment.
Remote clinical review
Share X-rays/MRI and symptom history. Our coordination team confirms candidacy and matches you with a suitable orthopaedic surgeon.
Hospital matching & estimate
A consolidated cost estimate covering surgery, implant, hospital stay, and physiotherapy is issued before travel.
Travel & pre-operative work-up
On arrival, final imaging and anaesthesia clearance confirm the surgical plan before admission.
Surgery & early recovery
In-hospital recovery with physiotherapy support, followed by discharge once mobility milestones are met.
Continuity of care post-return
Discharge summary and rehab plan are shared with a local physiotherapist for continued recovery at home.
Treatment approaches
Standard Approach
Standard Knee Replacement
7–14 days
Robotic-Assisted Option
Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement
7–14 days
| Standard | Robotic-Assisted | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure | Standard Knee Replacement | Robotic-Assisted Knee Replacement |
| Technology | Conventional surgical instruments | Robotic-assisted surgical system with surgeon oversight |
| Availability | Hospital-dependent | Selected hospitals with robotic capability |
| Specialist | Procedure specialist | Specialist with relevant robotic experience |
| Clinical suitability | Case-dependent | Case-dependent |
| Tariff | $3,600–$14,000 | $7,200–$16,000 |
| Duration | 7–14 days | 7–14 days |
Why can robotic-assisted procedures cost more?
Robotic-assisted procedures rely on additional technology and equipment beyond the standard operating platform and clinical team. This additional technology component is generally not included in standard case pricing.
Is robotic-assisted surgery always recommended?
No. Robotic-assisted surgery is not appropriate for every procedure or patient. Availability and suitability are determined by the treating specialist, based on your imaging, clinical condition, and the treating hospital's capabilities.
Average coordinated costs across our partner centres. Final pricing depends on clinical complexity and chosen hospital.
| Country | Avg. cost | vs. cheapest |
|---|---|---|
🇮🇳 India New Delhi · Chennai · Bengaluru · Hyderabad · Mumbai · Kochi | $5,100 | —chevron_right |
🇹🇷 Turkey Istanbul | $10,250 | +101%chevron_right |
🇹🇭 Thailand Bangkok · Phuket · Chiang Mai | $9,100 | +78%chevron_right |
Costs are indicative estimates and vary by procedure specifics, hospital, and clinical complexity. Request a personalised estimate for your specific case.
This treatment category covers several different operations with different levels of invasiveness, recovery times, and costs. The country averages above blend all of them together — use the breakdown below for a more realistic, procedure-specific estimate.
The damaged ends of the femur and tibia are resurfaced with metal and plastic implant components to restore a smooth, pain-free joint surface. It is the standard approach for advanced osteoarthritis affecting multiple compartments of the knee and remains the most extensively studied joint replacement procedure worldwide.
Typical recovery · 10–12 weeks
Hospital stay is typically 2–4 days, with physiotherapy usually starting the day after surgery to restore range of motion and mobility. Most patients walk with a frame or crutches within 24–48 hours and progress to a cane by 2–3 weeks. Return to most normal daily activities generally takes 10–12 weeks, though strength and comfort can continue improving for up to a year. Watch for infection, blood clots (DVT), and stiffness; walking aids and blood-thinning medication are used routinely to reduce these risks.
India
$5,000–$8,000
Turkey
$8,000–$12,000
Thailand
$10,000–$18,000
Only the damaged compartment of the knee (most often the inner, medial side) is resurfaced with a smaller implant, leaving healthy bone, cartilage, and ligaments untouched. It suits patients whose arthritis is confined to a single compartment and offers a more natural-feeling knee with a smaller incision and shorter procedure than total replacement.
Typical recovery · 4–6 weeks
Because the incision and bone resection are smaller, hospital stay is typically 1–3 days and many patients walk unaided within days of surgery. Return to normal daily activity generally takes 4–6 weeks, notably faster than total knee replacement, though full recovery can take 3–6 months. A portion of patients eventually need conversion to a total knee replacement as arthritis progresses in the untreated compartments, so ongoing joint monitoring is advised.
India
$3,500–$7,000
Turkey
$3,000–$6,000
Thailand
$7,500–$12,000
A robotic arm or navigation system, guided by a pre-operative CT scan or intra-operative mapping, assists the surgeon in positioning the implant and balancing the surrounding ligaments with sub-millimetre accuracy. It can be used for either total or partial knee replacement and is chosen for improved implant alignment precision, though outcomes still depend heavily on surgeon experience with the platform.
Typical recovery · 8–10 weeks
Hospital stay is typically 2–3 days, similar to conventional knee replacement, with physiotherapy beginning within 24 hours. Some studies show slightly less post-operative pain and faster early mobilisation than manual techniques, though long-term implant survival appears comparable. Return to normal activity generally takes 8–10 weeks. As with any knee replacement, infection, blood clots, and stiffness remain the main complications to watch for.
India
$5,400–$7,200
Turkey
$7,000–$11,000
Thailand
Estimate pending verification — ask your care coordinator for a current quote
A second operation to remove and replace a previous knee implant that has loosened, worn out, become infected, or failed for mechanical reasons, typically years after the original surgery. It is more technically demanding than a first-time replacement because of scar tissue, bone loss, and the need for specialised implants, and is generally performed only at high-volume revision centers.
Typical recovery · 3–4 months
Hospital stay is typically 3–5 days, longer than a primary knee replacement, reflecting the greater surgical complexity of removing prior implants and addressing any bone loss or infection. Return to normal activity generally takes 3–4 months, and full recovery can take 6–12 months. Infection is a particular concern in revision surgery — patients with a previously infected implant may require a staged procedure with an antibiotic spacer before the final revision implant is placed.
India
$6,800–$12,500
Turkey
$6,000–$15,400
Thailand
Estimate pending verification — ask your care coordinator for a current quote
Cost ranges are indicative estimates for international patients and vary with implant choice, number of levels treated, surgeon, and hospital. Request a personalised quote for your specific case.
Clinical detail: AAOS OrthoInfo, Mayo Clinic Health System, Cleveland Clinic. Cost ranges cross-checked across multiple independent medical-tourism sources per country where marked; ranges flagged "pending verification" could not be independently confirmed at the time of writing.
Faridabad, India
Asia's largest private hospital — 2,600 beds, 64 operation theatres, 81 specialties on a 130-acre campus in Delhi NCR. NABH & NABL accredited. Centres of excellence in oncology, cardiac surgery, BMT, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and IVF.
800+
Specialists
2,600+
Beds
Gurugram, India
Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) in Sector 44, Gurugram is one of India's most advanced tertiary care hospitals, offering 1,000+ beds across 40+ specialties. Home to leading specialists in neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, oncology, organ transplantation, and orthopaedics, FMRI features CyberKnife radiosurgery, CAR-T cell therapy, and full robotic surgery capabilities. The hospital serves patients from 118 countries, supported by a dedicated international patients department providing visa assistance, interpreters, airport transfers, and end-to-end care coordination.
400+
Specialists
330+
Beds
New Delhi, India
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar, New Delhi is one of India's foremost multi-specialty tertiary care centres, part of the Apollo Hospitals network established by Dr. Prathap C Reddy in 1983. The 710-bed facility records 1,600+ daily OPD visits, 1,000+ international patient consultations monthly, and receives 5,000+ international patients per year from over 120 countries. Its Centres of Excellence span cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, organ transplantation, nephrology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, and bariatric surgery. The hospital is equipped with Da Vinci XI robotic systems, CyberKnife radiosurgery, 3 Tesla MRI, LINAC, ECMO, and a 3D neuro-navigation system.
700+
Specialists
710+
Beds
Bengaluru, India
Manipal Hospitals Old Airport Road is the flagship and founding campus of one of India's largest healthcare networks, established in 1991 on HAL Old Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru. Part of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), the network spans 49 hospitals and 12,600+ beds across India. The Old Airport Road campus anchors the group's academic and clinical identity, housing specialist institutes including the Manipal Institute for Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery (MIJRRS), the Manipal Robotic Spine Surgery centre (MIRSS), the Manipal Skull Base Institute (MSBI), and the Manipal Institute for Bariatric Surgery (MIBS). Its quaternary-level capabilities cover cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, organ transplantation, orthopaedics, spine surgery, bariatric surgery, and paediatrics, all within a NABH and NABL accredited environment. The hospital provides dedicated international patient services through the Manipal Global network, with support for visa, travel, language, and end-to-end care coordination.
264+
Specialists
600+
Beds
A total knee replacement (TKR) resurfaces all three compartments of the knee joint, while a partial (unicompartmental) replacement addresses only the damaged compartment. Partial replacement preserves more natural bone and tissue, typically offering a faster recovery, but is only suitable when damage is confined to one compartment. Your orthopaedic surgeon will assess your imaging and symptoms to recommend the optimal approach.
No fees. No commitment.
We are compensated by our partner hospitals — never by patients. You get independent clinical matching, cost transparency, and end-to-end coordination at no cost to you.
