Dental Tourism in India is a promising and a rapidly developing concept which offers a variety of dental treatments, such as dental implants, porcelain metal crowns / bridges, root canal treatment, smile designing, teeth whitening, etc, at unequaled quality and at reasonable costs, making dental tourism India a million dollar business. These procedures, in Delhi, cost a fraction of what they would cost in the United States; however, the quality of care is at par with that in U.S.

India is emerging as one of the preferred destinations for Dental Tourism in the world. Thousands of patients from U.S., U.K., and Europe fly to India every year, to avail of cheap dental implants and dental surgeries.

Dental Implants in Delhi

Delhi, India, is highly reputed for successful and flourishing dental treatments like dental implants and implantology.
Dental implants are titanium fixtures or synthetic / artificial teeth, surgically positioned in the mandible (jaw bone). Over a period, the titanium fixtures / artificial teeth become one with the teeth bone. This is known as osseo-integration. A crown or bridge is then placed on the particular tooth, once this base strengthens. Dental implants may be used to substitute one or more teeth.

Low cost, dental work, Delhi

Medical Tourism Corporation network  dental clinic in Delhi is well equipped with advanced technological expertise and surgical know how. The dental procedures are performed by vastly experienced dentists, cosmetic dentists, and dental surgeons, and the quality of treatment offered is brilliant.

Various dental implants procedures that are available in Delhi, India.

1.    Conventional Dental Implants
Conventional dental implants comprise of several sequential steps that take place over a period of 2 to 6 months. Conventional implants techniques have demonstrated long – standing success rates.

2.    Immediate Dental Implants
In certain cases, when, the bone condition and density are good, dental implants can be immediately inserted after tooth extraction. This is called immediate dental implants, or single day implants, or one-day implants.

Immediate Loaded Implants (Teeth-in-an-Hour)
What’s more, permanent or temporary prosthetics may be positioned immediately during the same visit when the dental implants are surgically embedded. This is known as immediate loaded implants. The immediate loading of dental implants abbreviates the treatment time and promises the patient an aesthetic, non embarrassing appearance during the whole treatment period.

Other implant technologies that are available are – Alpha bio dental implants with straight abutment, Computerized implants, implants supported fixed bridge, implants supported overdentures, full arch implants with overdentures, and Nobel bio-care implants, Delhi.

Benefits of dental implants

•    Implant-supported teeth are a lot more comfortable as compared to conventional dentures. They function like natural teeth. There occurs no movement / slipping.
•    Dental implants greatly boost self confidence levels.
•    When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone begins to shrink. A dental implant helps maintain normal shape and structure of the jaw bone.

Price of dental implants in Delhi

Dental implants are invariably expensive abroad. A dental implant in the U.S. could cost around $ 3500. As against that, the cost of dental implants in Delhi, by an experienced and skilled dentist, would be about $ 800.

Inexpensive, yet superior quality of dental care in Delhi, attractive dental implants prices, and an opportunity to visit one of the most exotic countries in the world, has caught the attention of innumerable overseas medical tourists.

Liver transplant surgery is a very expensive and a complicated treatment procedure however cost of liver transplant surgery in India is very low as compared to U.S. and Canada.  The surgery is performed for patients suffering from end stage liver cancer or acute liver failure. The procedure involves the removal of the diseased liver (of the recipient) and replacing it with a healthy liver (from the donor).

Liver transplant in United States and Canada

Currently over 15,000 patients are registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for a liver transplant. As per Mayo Clinics, about one third of the patients have to wait for more than two years for a transplant. Cadaver donor organs are not adequately available, to manage the problem in the United States. As per a study conducted in Canada, several patients on the waiting list for liver transplant die, as they don’t receive timely treatment. Thus liver transplant abroad is a better and affordable option for most of the patients.

Why go to India for a Liver Transplant?

In the recent years, India has emerged as the top destination for medical tourism, as the health infrastructure is rapidly augmenting and the quality of care steadily improving. There are several JCI accredited hospitals in India, which provide the same or better quality of medical care at lower costs. With highly trained and qualified medical teams, the clinical outcomes of the liver transplant surgery are comparable to those in the United States.

A liver transplant surgery in the United States would cost approximately 350,000 dollars. Whereas in JCI accredited hospitals in India, the cost could range from 40,000 to 60,000 dollars. The cost also includes the expenses of travel and stay in India.

Liver transplant surgery procedure in India

• It is essential to provide all the critical medical records of the recipient to the medical team based in India. The medical team would evaluate these records to verify the patient’s fitness for the procedure.
• Once the patient is qualified as medically fit for the procedure, the records of the donor are verified and reviewed to ensure that the donor is suitable to make the transfer to the recipient. Legal requirement in India mandates that the donor should be a family member in the age group of 18 to 65 years. India doesn’t allow cadaver transplants for foreign patients
• Once the primary modalities are confirmed, both the recipient and the donor will travel to India for the surgery. Prior to leaving United States, a series of pathological and imaging studies are conducted, which are required as per the legal laws of both the countries.
• After the initial phase of intense monitoring the donor is allowed to return back to the United States within 3 weeks, while the recipient is required to stay back for at least six weeks.

Related links:

Liver Transplant Abroad
Kidney, Liver & Pancreatic Transplant Surgeon – India
Liver Transplant Specialist – India

Dental implants in Costa Rica is affordable option for many patients in US and Canada. As dental technology evolves, there are better alternatives to restore a fully edentulous (i.e. toothless) arch. All on 4 dental implants treatment involves placing four implants, strategically, to support a fixed partial denture. This technique has got several limitations, which include lengthy procedure, need for surgical intervention, and several appointments (visits) with the dentist.  In this post we will discuss about alternative and cost effective options to All on 4 dental implants in Thailand.

On the other hand “All on 8” dental implant technique, provided by OCO biomedical (the dental implant manufactures), involves the placement of eight dental implants. The technique offers several advantages which include fast track solution for toothless patients, no surgical intervention required, shorter procedure duration and fewer visits to the dentist for installation. In addition to the clinical and outcome advantages, the technique allows cost savings of over 70% over the All on 4 implant procedure.

Advantages of “All on 8” dental implants over “All on 4” dental implants

The underlying advantage of this technique is that it provides better support to the implant (i.e. at eight sites/locations). This distributes the pressure of the implant across the eight implant locations, which enhances longitivity and improves the overall outcome.

• “All on 8” dental implant technology allows immediate loading and is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).
• Unlike the “All on 4” technique which uses acrylic dentures, “All on 8 technique” uses dental bridges with crowns, which gives a more natural look to the teeth.
• “All on 8 implant” procedure requires fewer appointments with the dentist, doesn’t require any surgical intervention for the removal of bone tissue and hence is completely painless
• Further, temporary dentures are to be worn for only eight to ten days, unlike the “All on 4” technique which requires temporary dentures to be worn for as long as six months
• The technique offers additional advantages like greater acceptability among smokers and allows the consumption of all types of foods almost immediately.

Why Costa Rica for dental implant surgery?

Costa Rica is one of the most preferred destinations, when it comes to dental and cosmetic surgeries. Costa Rica has highly trained dental surgeons who are supported by the latest high-tech equipments and medical technology, which measures up to international quality standards.  Getting a dental implant done in Costa Rica can save costs of dental procedures by as much as 50% to 70%. The expense of “All on 8” dental implant in Costa Rica includes the round trip airfare, hotel stay for over a week, and a short tour visit around the country.

Related links:

Dental Tourism Costa Rica
All on 4 Vs All on 8 Dental Implants
All on four fixed dental Implants Abroad
Dentists in Costa Rica

Dental Implants Surgery abroad is a safe, affordable option for people who are either uninsured or under-insured. Also, patients who want to avoid long waiting lists or feel that dental facilities in their own country are not up-to-the-mark, can opt for dental implants overseas. Countries like India, Costa Rica and Mexico offer dental implants surgery at low rates, medical facilities are advanced and international standards are followed both in terms of treatment and care. When it comes to dental tourism Costa Rica is one of the most sought after destinations, Mexico comes in a close second. Also, dental implants in India are offered at affordable rates and administered at accredited hospitals, by qualified and well trained dentists.

Dental Implants can be categorized based on many different things – by size, by material used, by type of connection on top of the head of the implant and by the stages of the treatment, the last one being the most common. Based on the stages of the treatment, Dental Implants are divided into:

• Two Stage Dental Implants, and
• One Stage Dental Implants

Two Stage Dental Implants

The Two Stage Dental Implants Surgery uses the traditional implant process. Placement in the lower jaw can take up-to three months to heal while those in the upper jaw need about six months. The procedure is traditionally performed in two steps, the first step being a surgery in which the dentist installs the implants which are left for three to six months so that they can heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, the patient is given a temporary prosthesis until it is time to put in the permanent crown.

Placement of the permanent crown is another small surgical procedure and is the second stage of this Dental Implant Surgery. The Two Stage Dental Implants procedure requires the patients to invest much time and is also comparatively expensive.

One Stage Dental Implants

In the 1 Stage Dental Implants Surgery, the second stage is altogether avoided and during a single surgery, the implant is placed in the jaw bone is such a way that the top of the implant is higher than the surface of the bone, at the height of the soft tissue. When the soft tissue is stitched at the end of the surgery, the dental implant’s head is exposed. There is, therefore, no need for a second surgery as the implant is already exposed and takes its place naturally.

Features of the One Stage Dental Implants are:

• Osseo integration begins immediately.
• No long, wait for the bone to heal before placing the implant.
• There are no missing teeth in the mouth.
• The tooth looks natural while the implant is healing.

One Stage Dental Implants or Two Stage Dental Implants?

Both One Stage and Two Stage Dental Implants can be equally successful if the placements are proper.

However, one additional surgical intervention is required if the 2 stage procedure is picked, which makes the 1 stage procedure less time consuming and cost effective. A review by The Cochrane Collaboration was recently able to confirm that a 1 stage implant procedure is as effective as the 2 stage procedure, and also offers the following advantages:

• One minor surgical intervention can be avoided
• The treatment time can be shortened

Five studies conducted with 239 patients were able to prove that both procedures are equally effective and successful, but the one stage dental implants procedure is advantageous as there is one less surgery and the treatment and recovery time are significantly shorter.

Bangkok is the vibrant capital of Thailand, and it is also a major tourist destination. Providing something for all kinds of tourists, medical visitors & their accompanying guest to Bangkok can do everything from indulging in the famous Thai massage, to spending a day at the beach or shopping for the biggest brands, or even meditating at a Buddhist temple. In fact medical tourism in Thailand is fast growing into a major sector.

Before you can begin enjoying the wonders of this city, you will need to prepare yourself for the trip. Considered the world’s hottest city, visitors need to be prepared for the heat, especially those travelling from relatively colder countries.

Most of the best sights in Bangkok are located on Rattanakosin Island, in the Old City. Though Bangkok has over 100 temples, the best three temples are in fact located in the Old City, all of which are a must visit. These are the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho, where the Grand Palace holds within its huge grounds the most sacred temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Arun houses a 70 meters high structure, whereas Wat Pho is home to the world’s largest reclining Buddha.

In case you love museums, some great options would be the National Museum, which showcases Thai history, Museum of Siam and of course the King Prajadhipok Museum. For art enthusiasts the National Gallery is a great showcase of the Bangkok art community. Other places to visit include the Siam Ocean World, Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium, Lumpini Park, the largest park in Bangkok, or even a tour of Jim Thompson’s house, the CIA operative had six traditional Thai houses combined to form his mansion.

But visiting places is not the only activity open to visitors, with a bicycle tour of Bangkok being a great way to explore the city. Many operators can be found within the city, with a trip around Bangkok Jungle being the most popular, though a trip through China Town is also another option. Taking a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River is also a great way to see the city.

Visitors can also take time out to catch a round of Thai boxing, at either the Lumphini Stadim or the Ratchadamnoen Stadium. There are also a wide range of cultural performances that you can choose from, depending on your taste. These include everything from Thai dance, theatrical performances or even a puppet theater.

Thailand is also known for several festivals so checking the calendar to check which festivals coincide with your trip is a good idea. Some popular festivals are Chinese New Year Festival, Trooping the Colours, Royal Ploughing Ceremony and the King’s Birthday Celebrations.

However, one of the most important activities that most visitors indulge in is the Thai massage. Visitors can find a wide variety of massage shops around the city, and checking for authenticity of the shop before getting a massage is a good thing. For medical tourists, it is best to consult their doctor with regard to their condition and the amount of exertion they can take.

Cosmetic dentistry in Costa Rica is a feasible alternative for people intimidated by the high cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental implants and dental bridges in the USA. More than 100 million people in the USA lack dental insurance, and hence dental treatment abroad becomes an attractive, cost-effective option to such persons.

Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry in Costa Rica

• Cosmetic dentistry procedures like immediate load dental implants in Costa Rica cost only a fraction of the USA price and it does not involve any lowering of quality. You will save a neat 30-50% even if all related expenses like travel, stay, and a bit of a holiday are added up.
• Quality of dental care in Costa Rica is at par with what you expect in the USA.
• Board-certified cosmetic dentists in Costa Rica are established, reputed professionals with years of experience. They speak good English, so there are no communication problems.
• Cosmetic dentists in Costa Rica, like their counterparts in USA, use the latest computer-aided design and modeling software like 3D imaging.
• Costa Rica is also a beautiful place to visit with its tropical forests, mountains, and pristine beaches. It is also a safe country with a stable democracy, high level of education, and friendly people.
• US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa for stay of up to three months.
• All major US airlines have regular nonstop Costa Rica flights from many US cities. It is easy for Canadians, too, to fly to Costa Rica because of good number of flights.

Disadvantages of Cosmetic Dentistry in Costa Rica

• You need to have more time in hand since you are traveling to another country and will need to stay as long as required to complete the dental procedure.
• Spanish is the most common language, though English is quite common. Not all cosmetic dentists and staff at dental clinics in Costa Rica may speak English. You will have to check this beforehand. However, staff at Medical Tourism Corporation’s network hospitals in Costa Rica speak fluent English and there are interpreters available, when required.

Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures in Costa Rica

Let us now look at some of the cosmetic dentistry procedures, and their costs in the USA. You can expect to save a substantial amount – 30-50% – if you get these procedures done in Costa Rica.

• Immediate load dental implants in Costa Rica are not only hugely affordable but also of the highest quality. Costa Rica orthodontists in tourist hospitals regularly work with medical tourists from the US, Canada, and other parts of the world.

• Porcelain Veneers in Costa Rica can be easily accommodated in a vacation, as they take about 1-2 visits only. Teeth veneers are extremely thin porcelain shells used on the front surface of front teeth to cover discoloration, chipping or minor misalignments. In the US, it generally takes $300 to $2,000 per tooth.

• Dental Bridges in Costa Rica will be a fraction of the cost in the US. Dental bridges are false teeth, used when there are one or more missing teeth. In the US, they are priced between $500 and $900.

• Dental Crowns in Costa Rica, along with a rejuvenating vacation, will truly add to your total makeover. In the US, the cost of a single dental crown can be between $800-$1,200.

Quality, dependable cosmetic dentistry in Costa Rica is very affordable by US standards. When superb quality accompanies such huge savings, it becomes an option hard to look away from.

People who need to replace missing teeth have several options today, like dentures and dental implants. In this article we will compare dental implants and dentures: situations where one is preferable over the other and why dentures or dental implants abroad could be a good idea.

Comparison of Dental Implants and Dentures

Material:

Dentures are made of acrylic, cast metal, flexible plastic for base and plastic or porcelain for the teeth part.

Dental implants are made of titanium, a metal compatible with the human body.

Procedure:

Dentures take several appointments over three to six weeks. In the first appointment, impressions of the jaw and tooth structure are taken. Wax or plastic moulds are created and tried on. Final cast is made and fitted and adjustments made.

The tooth implant is placed in the bone socket. (Local anesthesia needed). It takes five to eight months to fix the prosthetic tooth onto the implant.

Comfort:

The denture can move and make clicking sounds when you eat or speak, so it may make you uncomfortable. Dentures in the upper jaw have better grip than lower dentures due to suction from roof of the mouth. Ability to chew is greatly reduced, compared to natural teeth.

Dental implants or implant-retained dental prostheses are very stable, as they have a root-like portion that fits into the bone socket, like natural teeth. People who have implant-supported artificial teeth can chew efficiently.

Where they are used:

Dentures can be used when you have lost many or all your teeth because of periodontal disease, tooth decay, damage, or aging. Dental implants can be used here too, but only if you have healthy jaw bone to support them.

Dental implants can be used to replace missing teeth, either one or more. But may not be advisable for diabetics and smokers as osseo-integration might take longer.

What to expect once you have them:

Dentures will need to be re-aligned, re-based or re-made as your gums and jaw structure change with aging. Dentures are also subject to normal wear and proper oral hygiene is necessary.

With proper care, dental implants last a lifetime.

Why Dental Implants are considered Better than Dentures

• Dental implants enable firm placing of the prosthetic teeth. The tiny titanium screws act like the root of a natural tooth, so you don’t have to worry about the crown falling off.
• You can chew better with implant-supported artificial teeth.
•  Dental implants are made of titanium, which the body accepts. This has two advantages: one, it promotes healthy bone growth and second, this natural bone holds the implant firmly in place. The opposite happens with dentures, as pressure from the dentures causes disintegration of bone material.
• Some people may be allergic to some of the material like acrylic used in dentures whereas titanium used in dental implants is bio-compatible.
• Dental implants offer more options. It is possible to get your dentures fixed with mini dental implants.

Disadvantages of Dental Implants

• Dental implants are more expensive than dentures.
• Dental implants are more time-consuming. After the implants are placed, it may take anywhere from 3-6 months for osseo-integration to happen.
• People with a tendency to grind teeth may not be suitable for dental implants.
• If the bones have shrunk and are not in a condition to support the implant, the dental surgeon may advise bone graft for dental implants. This involves further cost, time, and surgery.
• Dental implants are an invasive procedure, and involves incisions and stitches. Though done under anesthesia, people with dental surgery phobia may not want to go for it.

Cost of Dentures and Dental Implants

There are different types of dentures including complete dentures, removable partial dentures and implant-retained dentures. The cost varies according to which of these you need, the different material used and the dentist’s fee. The cost could be anything between $300 and $2,500 in the US. Traditional dental implants cost in the range of $2,000 and $4,500 in the US. Low cost dental implants in Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, or India can save you about 60% or more of the US cost, with no compromise in quality. Plus, it offers you the chance to combine a tropical vacation with your dental treatment package.

Lap band surgery abroad is at hand, thanks to the many quality lap band centers along the Mexico border. People suffering from obesity in Texas, California, or Arizona states do not have to look too far for bariatric surgery.

Because of the geographical proximity, there are many similarities in culture, too, and it is not like going to an alien land where you may have to be ready for culture shock.

World-class lap band centers with reputed bariatric surgeons are sprinkled along the south of the Texas-Mexico, California-Mexico, and Arizona-Mexico border, the important ones being at Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa, and Monterrey.

Lap Band Surgery in Texas-Mexico Border

Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa, and Monterrey are some of the major lap band centers along the Texas-Mexico border. These are helpful for people from the following cities in Texas state – Kingsville, Las Cruces, McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, El Paso.

Ciudad Juarez: If planning to fly here for your gastric band, best would be to land at El Paso, Texas, USA. The airport is just 25 minutes away from the Mexico border.

Reynosa: You could land at McAllen, TX Airport, USA from where the Mexico lap band hospital is 25 minutes away.

Monterrey Lap Band : You could either fly or even drive down from Texas, as it is just 4 to 5 hours from the US-Mexico border.

Lap band clinics from Medical Tourism Corporation’s network provide free pick-up and drop to US airports near the Mexico border.

Lap Band Surgery in Arizona-Mexico Border

For people living in Douglas, San Luis, Lukeville, Sasabe, Nogales, Naco cities in Arizona state, crossing over to Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez in Mexico for a cheaper lap band is more than a feasible option, thanks to the superb medical care which is also incredibly low cost. Also, unlike going to far-off places, going to Mexico for follow-up visits can be done easily, as, again, the distance is not too much.

Lap Band Surgery in California-Mexico Border

Mexican gastric band surgeons in the state of Baja California in Mexico have been doing the lap band surgery much before their US counterparts, and hence have much more experience. Not only do they have excellent success rates, but they can also speak good English, making communication quicker and easier between patient and doctor. People from San Diego, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, and Andrade in California state are very close to the Mexico border and often cross over for low cost weight loss surgery. Tijuana & Mexicali offer great options for people in these areas looking for lap band surgery in Mexico.

Advantage of Obesity surgery in Ciudad Juarez/Reynosa/Monterrey for California, Arizona & Texas residents

Huge cost savings: This is the most obvious and one of the most significant advantages to be had by going across the border for lap band. To many, it is quite unbelievable that the same obesity surgery with the same quality can be had at half the cost just by traveling for a few hours. Also, the flights to US airports on the border are pretty cheap. So, you gain on the travel fare, too.

Proximity: Bariatric surgery on the Mexico border is a very attractive option as traveling to the Mexican border for lap band presents no problems at all in terms of the money or time required to travel.

Board-certified lap band surgeons and accredited hospitals: If Mexico’s cost advantage was not accompanied by quality comparable to US healthcare, it wouldn’t be the booming medical tourism destination that it is today. That said, exercise caution in the selection of the right lap band surgeon and hospital in Mexico.

Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates low cost gastric band surgery south of the border at Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa, Monterrey and other places along the US-Mexico border.

India is a popular destination abroad for revision hip replacement (or arthroplasty) surgery. Revision hip replacement is an orthopedic surgery to replace an earlier hip prosthesis that has worn out. Though first-time hip joint replacements are common and successful nowadays, they tend to wear out with time. When a patient’s hip replacement has worn out, he/she may need a revision hip surgery.

Revision hip replacement surgery is more complicated and time-consuming than first-time total hip replacement surgery. As a result, cost of revision hip surgery is very high in USA, Canada and UK. It would be much more affordable to get your revision hip replacement surgery in India at world class hospitals by board certified orthopedic surgeons.

Why does Revision Hip Replacement become Necessary?

Hip joints are replaced for the first time in patients suffering from severe hip arthritis or trauma. These hip prostheses work very well in the first 15 years for most people. However, by 15 to 20 years, a good number of people will have worn out their prosthesis and will need hip revision surgery.

• Hip replacements can wear out for reasons like infections, damage to the prosthesis, bone breakage around the replacement, etc.
• Obesity can contribute to faster wearing of the hip implant.
• People who undergo hip replacement at a relatively younger age will probably outlive their hip prosthesis. People who are very active are at higher risk. Ceramic hip replacement which has less wear than MoM prosthesis may be of help to this category.
• Another common reason is aseptic loosening which is the loosening of the hip implant inside the bone. This is a painful condition. If there are causes like infections for needing revision surgery, these will have to be taken care of separately before revision surgery is done.
• A US study of 51,000 hip revision surgeries found that dislocation of the initial prosthesis was the reason in 23% of hip revisions while 20% was accounted for by mechanical loosening of the device and another 15% of revisions were needed due to infections.

It must be noted that all individuals who need a revision surgery do not experience symptoms. Conversely every person who experiences some of the symptoms cannot undergo the rigors of revision surgery. A decision in this regard can be made only after a thorough medical examination of the candidate to see if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Advantages and Risks of Revision Hip Replacement

Benefits:

• Pain relief.
• Improved ease in movement.
• Treatment of infection and avoiding further complications.

Disadvantages:

• By the time revision surgery is needed, the person has advanced in age. Quality of the bone becomes an issue due to this.
• With total hip replacement the first time, your orthopedic surgeon would have removed some bone in order to fix the prosthesis. Availability of sufficient bone to secure the revision prosthesis can be a problem.
• In several cases, bone grafts are needed. This involves addition of bone material to reconstruct the acetabulum (hip socket) from where bone was removed to fix the prosthesis. It can be an auto-graft (bone taken from other parts of one’s own body- e.g. pelvis) if the requirement is very small. If more bone is needed, the hip surgeon will use an allograft (donor bone). Due to concerns like contracting HIV or hepatitis, the bone tissue needs to be screened thoroughly for infectious agents and proper processing.
•  After grafting, you are advised to avoid putting weight on the operated hip for three months or so. This time is needed for the graft to grow into solid bone. This can be a lot of hard work and you will need crutches for some time. Patients for revision surgery are typically older and less able to cope with long procedures and blood loss.
• The old, worn out prosthesis has to be removed. This adds to the time and complicated nature of revision hip replacement surgery.

Risks:

• There is a chance of the femur bone fracturing during surgery. If this happens, extra repair measures will be needed.
• The operated leg may end up being shorter or longer than before surgery.
• Mobility and range of motion may be more restricted compared to after first-time replacements.
• You may be unable to regain your normal gait again.
• Dislocation and loosening risk is to be expected in the first three months after operation. Greater pre-operative bone loss and poor quality of bone increase this risk.
• Infection, bleeding, trauma to nerves in the region etc are likely, just like in all surgical procedures.
• Blood clots in legs or lungs can occur due to twisting and trauma of blood vessels.
• Patients with existing heart and lung problems may experience problems related to these.

For all these reasons, a revision hip arthroplasty has to be carefully considered and planned.

Why consider India for Hip Revision Surgeries?

The reasons for India’s popularity as a center for hip revision surgery are:

• The number of revision surgeries performed by the specialist orthopedic surgeons in India is very high compared to that done by their counterparts in the West. This is good news as revision surgeries usually require higher level of expertise and experience for good results.
• The cost is way lower. This, again, is very advantageous as revision surgery is usually performed on older people, whose income may have been reduced or who may be dipping into their savings for this surgery.
• Most insurance plans do not cover revision surgeries.
• Most surgeons have been dealing with Western patients for a long time now. So, there is ease and comfort on both sides.

Cost of Revision Hip Replacement in India

Revision hip surgery is technically more demanding of the surgeon. Only highly experienced hip surgeons undertake to perform this surgery due to increased risk factors. Consequently, revision hip surgery is even more expensive than primary THR. Orthopedic surgeries are highly costly in USA, Canada and UK.

For the medically uninsured population, revision hip surgery in world-class orthopedic hospitals in India can work out much more affordable. Orthopedic surgeons in India have high level of expertise and specialization in surgeries such as hip resurfacing, revision hip surgery and knee arthroplasty.

Total knee replacement is commonly used for elderly people with severe arthritis. However, there are situations where doctors might advise knee replacement for younger people, too.

Knee replacement prostheses can help in situations where the patient is suffering from severe pain of the knee joint and internal medicine is of very little or no help. This is usually a condition associated with wear and tear of knee cartilage that occurs with advanced age.

Younger people can also suffer damage to knee cartilage and subsequent pain, owing to reasons like infections, obesity and accidents/trauma. When this affects the quality of life and when other treatments are not effective, surgeons might consider knee arthroplasty for middle aged and young patients.

Out of the 431,485 knee replacement surgeries that took place in 2004, 8,468 (2%) were performed for people in the 18-44 age group and 157,149 (36.4%) in the 45-64 age group. Over the period between 2000 and 2004, the percentage of knee replacement patients between age 18 and 44 remained at 2% while the percentage for patients aged 45-64 was roughly 33%.

Knee surgery abroad costs much less, as knee surgeons in India, Costa Rica and Mexico have lower overhead costs compared to US surgeons.

How Young is too Young for Knee Surgery?

By conservative estimates, a person who hasn’t still entered his/her sixties is considered too young for knee surgery. The reasons lie in lifestyle patterns rather than biological factors. People in their prime of life tend to be more active, so the replaced joints wear out sooner. This need not be an issue if the patient is careful to stick to low-impact activities.

How is Knee Replacement in Youth Different from Regular Knee Replacement?

Usually, surgeons try to avoid knee replacements in younger people. This is because people lead a more active lifestyle in youth that leads to faster wearing away of the artificial joints. Further, young/ middle aged people have more years to live and chances are very high that they will need second replacements. Revision surgery is more technically difficult and results are not as good as first time replacements.

However, knee prostheses in younger, active patients are durable and effective for about two decades. For instance, in one study conducted in New York in 88 patients aged 55 and below, the success rates were in the range of 84-90% in the first 18 years.

Benefits of Knee Arthroplasty for People in their Prime

Knee replacement surgery can bring enormous benefits to middle aged and young people in terms of quality of life. Young people will want to and need to lead an active life.  Knee replacement can bring relief from debilitating pain and immobility. Benefits of knee arthroplasty include reduced pain and better mobility of the knee joints. Once you have recovered, you will be able to carry out routine activities like walking, shopping and driving.

Mobile-Bearing Prosthesis for Knee Replacement in Younger People

Most people go for fixed-bearing prosthesis. For patients who are young, surgeons may suggest using rotating platform/mobile-bearing knee prosthesis. These are designed for longer performance and less wear. In rotating platform knee implants, the upper and lower components move across a polyethylene insert. This allows for greater flexibility of knee joint movements. Rotating knee replacements can also reduce early wearing. However, compared to fixed-bearing prostheses, rotating implants are not so well equipped to manage imbalances in soft tissues.

Knee prostheses using a new material called Oxinium have been used by some surgeons for the past three years. Advocates of Oxinium claim that it is harder, more scratch-resistant and causes less friction between the femoral part and the plastic tibial surface of the implant, compared to traditional cobalt-chrome prosthesis. However, the long-term efficacy of Oxinium implants is yet to be ascertained.

Non-surgical Treatment Options for Knee Pain in Younger Patients

In knee pain caused by arthritis, treatment starts with exercise, weight management, physical therapy and medications. Exercise and weight management should, under normal circumstances, bring some relief for middle-aged patients with arthritis. Partial or full knee replacement surgery is considered only after these options are exhausted.

Knee Surgery for Younger People Abroad

An increasing number of people from the USA and other western countries are choosing to get their knee replacement in India, Costa Rica or Mexico, thanks to the high-level medical expertise available in these countries at prices much lower than US rates. Total cost of knee joint replacement in Costa Rica, India and Mexico is in the range of $7,000- $13,000 whereas it averages $40,000 in US.

Apart from the cost savings, overseas knee replacement also has the added benefit of being top quality. Well-known hospitals in medical travel destinations like India, Costa Rica and Mexico have highly qualified and experienced medical experts and state-of-the-art facilities. Consider that these hospitals today stand endorsed by thousands of happy people.