Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in India

What is a Knee Replacement Surgery?

A knee replacement surgery refers to the surgical procedure to replace worn-out or injured parts of the knee joint with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic. Also known as knee arthroplasty, the surgery resurfaces a damaged knee by replacing the damaged bones and cartilage of the natural knee joint. 

A knee joint replacement surgery is recommended for people with severe arthritis or knee injury. It helps to relieve the knee pain experienced during walking, getting out of the chair and climbing stairs.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

Doctors perform two types of knee replacement surgeries. Take a look at them below:

1. Total Knee Replacement Surgery

   A Total Knee Replacement surgery is a type of knee surgery in which all three areas of the knee joint are replaced i.e. medial (inside), lateral (lateral) and patellofemoral (under the kneecap). This is the most common type of knee joint replacement surgery.

2. Partial Knee Replacement Surgery

   A Partial Knee Replacement surgery is a type of knee surgery in which only one or two damaged areas of the knee joint are replaced. This type of knee operation is common among young adults who have suffered a knee injury or trauma.

Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery in India

A knee replacement surgery is expensive for many people. In India, the average knee joint replacement cost ranges from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. The price includes the surgeon’s fee, implant cost, hospital room rent, OT charges, medicines, consumables, etc. Moreover, medical expenses incurred on diagnostic tests during hospitalization and post-operation physiotherapy are also included in the knee transplant surgery cost.

Factors Affecting Knee Replacement Surgery Costs

The knee surgery cost is determined based on several factors. Take a look at them below:

1. Type of Knee Replacement Surgery

   The type of knee surgery you opt for affects the knee transplant cost. For instance, the price of a partial knee replacement surgery is lower than a total knee replacement surgery cost.

2. Type of Implant

   The knee surgery cost depends on the type of implant used to replace the damaged knee joints. For instance, the knee implant cost for a metal-on-metal implant is more than a metal-on-plastic implant.

3. Health Condition of the Patient

   The knee replacement cost depends on the complexity of the surgery. The complexity of the operation increases if the patient suffers from any pre-existing illness, such as diabetes or hypertension. Hence, they need to pay more for the knee surgery.

4. Type of Surgical procedure

   The type of procedure followed during a knee replacement surgery affects the cost of the surgery. For instance, the cost of an open knee operation is more than a robotic knee replacement cost.

5. Type of City

   The city where you get your knee joint replacement surgery also impacts your surgery cost. For instance, the total knee replacement cost in New Delhi will be more than the surgery in Vishakhapatnam because Delhi is a tier 1 city with higher medical infrastructure costs.

6. Type of Hospital

   The type of hospital where your knee transplant surgery is performed also affects the cost of the surgery. For instance, a knee surgery conducted in a private hospital will cost more than a government hospital in the same city.

7. Surgeon’s Expertise

   The surgeon operating on your knee also impacts your knee surgery cost. Surgeons with higher expertise charge a higher fee than those with lower experience and reputation.

8. Duration of Hospital Stay

   The duration of your stay in the hospital determines the cost of your knee surgery. The longer you stay in the hospital, the more will be your knee transplant cost.

9. Knee Operation Care

   In most cases, knee replacement surgery is followed by post-operation care that involves physiotherapy, diagnostic tests, etc. The longer the post-operation care goes on, the more will be the surgery cost.

Does Health Insurance Cover Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in India?

Yes.

All health insurance plans cover the cost of a knee replacement surgery. It provides coverage for the medical expenses incurred on the hospital room, diagnostic tests, surgeon’s skills, medicines, consumables, etc. Moreover, pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses are also covered by health plans in India. 

However, most health insurance plans provide coverage for knee joint replacement surgery after a waiting period of 2 to 4 years. This means you can claim knee replacement surgery expenses after serving the waiting period. 

Moreover, if your knee injury or arthritis was detected before buying the health policy, then it will be considered as a pre-existing disease. In this case, the insurance company will pay for your knee operation cost after a waiting period of 2 to 4 years.

How to Care After a Knee Replacement Surgery?

Given below are the tips to care after a knee replacement surgery:

• Ice your knee for 20 minutes several times a day to reduce pain and swelling
• Keep your knee above the level of the heart by using cushions, pillows or footstool
• Keep your stitched area clean and covered
• Do exercises suggested by your surgeon during the recovery period
• Take physical therapy from a professional therapist after your surgery to move safely

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