A number of people from overseas visit India for cost savings on cervical disc replacement. Costa Rica is one more country where the the cervical disc replacement costs compared to North America & Europe is quite less. This article focuses on the things you should keep in mind while looking for a cervical disc replacement hospital in India. FDA approved this procedure in July 2007, although it has been performed for many years with success in Europe & India. Below is a Video showing how anterior cervical disc replacement works(no sound).

Cervical disc replacement is an effective treatment for people suffering from disc herniations(where the inner core pushes back into the spinal canal). In cervical disc replacement, an artificial disc is inserted in place of the inter-vertebral disc. Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement is considered a better option than spinal fusion for treating cervical disc herniation. This is because cervical disc replacement maintains normal neck motion and helps the patient return to normal activity faster.In this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial disc made of stainless steel. The artificial disc has a ball in trough design to simulate natural neck movement. The patient is typically hospitalized for 1-2 days and can return to work in 45 days {Refer: Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago}.
The main reason for India’s popularity as a medical tourism destination is its cost effectiveness. A cervical disc replacement surgery can cost around $ 30,000 to $ 40, 000 USD in USA, Canada or Europe. Due of the newness of the cervical disc replacement treatment in the USA, it is not covered by all private insurers. Therefore, patients who cannot afford the high rate opt for getting the surgery in India where the cost of the surgery is as low as $ 8,500 in one of the best brain & spine hospital. Even after you add travel and accommodation costs, a cervical disc replacement surgery in India can result in substantial cost savings. You should look for a cervical replacement hospital in India that provides an all inclusive package at a fixed price. Another reason for India’s popularity is its impressive medical expertise. India has a large pool of US and UK returned surgeons. When looking for a cervical disc replacement hospital in India, verify that the surgeon you are considering has specialized in orthopedics. The surgeon should have a Master of Surgery (M.S. or M.CH.) degree in orthopedics. The surgeon should have undergone specialized training in spine surgery and cervical disc replacement. Ideally, the surgeon should have at least 5 years of surgical experience.

India also provides a very high quality of private medical care. You should look for a cervical disc replacement hospital that is internationally accredited. Preferably, the hospital should be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). JCI is a non-governmental body in USA which accredits international hospitals that meeting exacting American standards. A JCI-accredited hospital follows international standards of quality and cleanliness and has state of the art technology. You should also ensure that the hospital has a fully equipped operating room with specialized equipment, such as the Jackson Spine Table. It should also have a diagnostic center with facilities for MRI scan and computed tomography.

Medical Tourism Corporation(MedicalTourismCo.com) facilitates cervical disc replacement & other surgery at world class hospitals abroad. You can submit a request for a free quote and more information.

Refer: Is Cervical Disc Replacement For You?