Orthopaedic / Total Knee Replacement

How Much Does a Total Knee Replacement Cost?

How Much Does a Total Knee Replacement Cost?
by admin
2nd January 2023
7 minutes read

Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most commonly performed and is the most effective orthopedic procedure. It is also known as ‘arthroplasty’, which means ‘the surgical repair of a particular joint’. In this procedure, damaged, worn-out joint (s) are surgically reconstructed and replaced with artificial part (s) (prostheses).

Cost is essential to consider when considering total knee replacement surgery. TKR involves several pre-surgical, surgical, and post-surgical expenses for which you need to be prepared. Here is a detailed estimation of prices required during different stages of knee replacement surgery.

Cost of Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR)?

The average cost of total knee replacement surgery ranges between Rs. 1,31,250 to Rs 2,00,000. 

Check city-wise total knee replacement surgery cost here.

TKR cost includes:

  • The hospital room was selected (single sharing, twin sharing).
  • The number of visits by your surgeon.
  • The nursing staff expenses
  • The medication and injections provided 
  • The anesthesiologist charges 
  • The Pathology services provided
  • The type of surgery/procedure (robotic or other computer-aided technology)
  • The extra expenses in case of any post-surgical complications such as secondary bacterial infections, blood clots, etc.

What is Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

A total knee replacement (TKR) is a complex surgical procedure where the whole diseased knee or the damaged parts of the knee joint are replaced with an artificial material (prosthesis). If your knee is severely damaged by degenerative conditions such as arthritis (inflammation of the joint) or an injury, it may be hard for you to perform simple activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or even getting up from a chair. You may even experience pain while you are sitting or lying down. The basic goal of knee replacement is to restore normal knee movement, relieve pain, and make your daily activities easy. 

Your doctor might initially suggest non-surgical treatment options such as anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, injections, walking aids, and physical therapy. In cases where these methods fail to relieve pain and improve your mobility, your surgeon may consider total knee replacement surgery. 

Types of Knee Replacement Surgery

Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your condition, the orthopedic surgeon will perform one of the following knee replacement surgeries:

  • Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Surgery
  • Unilateral knee replacement surgery
  • Bilateral knee replacement surgery
  • Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
  • Complex or Revision Knee Replacement Surgery
  • Osteotomy Knee Surgery
  • Kneecap (patella) Replacement Surgery

Why do Costs Vary?

Comparatively, India’s total knee replacement cost is more affordable than in other developed countries. The costs vary widely depending on the type of TKR performed, your chosen clinic, your overall health, and various contributing factors.

What Are The Contributing Factors to The Cost of TKR?

The final hospital bill depends on many factors:

  • Age of the patient:  Advancing the age of the patient is a risk factor for poor outcomes and complications, thereby increasing the surgery cost.
  • Pre-existing conditions: Such as diabetes (increased blood sugar levels in the body), hypertension (high blood pressure), blood disorders like hemophilia (a condition in which blood fails to clot), etc., contribute to the increased cost.
  • Pre-surgical expenses: Including the doctor’s consultation fees, medical examination, and diagnostic tests conducted (X-rays, MRI).
  • The operating surgeon: The experience, expertise, and specialty of the doctor performing the surgery.
  • Number of days hospitalized: The time spent in the hospital plays an important role as it includes the hospital room chosen by the patient. Eg. The cost of the deluxe room is more than twin sharing
  • Involvement of one/both knees: The total cost of getting one knee operated on is less than the cost when both knees are operated. Also, it is to be kept in mind that if both knees are operated on in the same setting, the cost is lesser when compared to each knee operated at different intervals 
  • Type of implant and surgical approach: Based on the patient’s condition, activity level and the material of implants, the cost varies. 
  • Time spent in the operating room: The duration of time spent for surgery for a patient without complications incur less cost than in the patient with complications.
  • The equipment and other materials used: The cost of equipment and disposables used in the surgery varies according to the procedure used for surgery e.g. the traditional approach vs the robotic approach.
  • Post-surgical expenses: This includes medication, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy expenses.
  • Food expenses: The food the hospital provides is charged based on the room chosen and the number of days spent there.
  • Insurance coverage: Some knee replacement surgeries are partially or totally covered by insurance companies. This contributes to the cost from one’s pocket.

Who is Eligible For a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Surgery?

A total knee replacement is recommended when pain, inflammation, and stiffness in your knee joint are limiting you from leading a normal active life. 

TKR is recommended for patients with the following conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition that causes pain, stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and loss of flexibility in the joints.  
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is an autoimmune condition (where your own immune system attacks your healthy cells and tissues). It can affect the lining of your joints, leading to bone erosion and joint deformity. 
  • Trauma or injury which causes inflammation of the joints: Any injury to the knee that causes loss of movement and inflammation will hampers your daily activities. Inflammation is the normal response of the bosy’s immune system to foreign substances. It is the presence of swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in and the joint. 
  • Knee deformities with loss of cartilage: When there is wear and tear of the cartilage from age, twisting, jumping, etc., it causes difficulty in performing the normal movements of the joints, and it is accompanied by inflammation.
  • Hemophilia: A rare genetic bleeding disorder where your blood fails to clot.
  • Gout: It is a more severe form of inflammatory arthritis, which is very painful. Here uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints. 

What Are The Additional Costs of Total Knee Replacement Surgery?

These approximate additional costs include pre- and post-surgery costs. 

  • Pre-surgery costs (Estimation)

The pre-surgical phase consists of a consultation or office visit, imaging and lab tests. Some of the costs that one can incur are mentioned below (approximate estimation). The final cost will be provided by the hospital/surgeon.

Physical Examination Rs.500 – Rs.1,500
Blood Coagulation Tests Rs.300 – Rs.750
MRI Scan Rs.2,000 – Rs.25,000
X-rays Rs.500 – Rs. 2,500
CBC (Complete Blood Count) Rs. 300 – Rs. 500
Joint Aspiration Rs.500 – Rs. 2,000
Bone Densitometry Test Rs. 2,000 – Rs. 7,000
Arthrogram  Rs. 6,000 – Rs. 8000
  • Post-surgery costs (Estimation)

Recovery and rehabilitation play an important role in the recovery and include outpatient physical therapy, follow-ups post-surgery, tools used by the physiotherapist. These services come with an approximate cost (listed below). The final cost is provided by the hospital/surgeon.

Physiotherapy Rs. 250 – Rs. 2,500 (per session)

Takeaway

The total knee replacement surgery cost in India is very affordable compared to other countries. Also, it comes without compromising the healthcare facilities and professional expertise. For the best treatment and care, visit us at Medfin and book appointments with our trained and well-experienced surgeons for your surgery.

To Know More About The Details of Knee Replacement Surgery Cost and Cost Estimate Click Here

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