Knee Replacement in Mexico

Getting a knee replacement done in Mexico has become a popular choice for Americans who lack health insurance. After all, surgery is expensive in the United States, and not everyone can afford it.

Patient Testimonial: Total Knee Replacement in Cancun, Mexico

Putting off treatment is not the answer. The longer you wait to address your knee pain, the worse it’s going to get. If a knee replacement operation seems cost-prohibitive, medical tourism to Mexico could be the solution.

Cost of Knee Replacement in Mexico

Knee replacement surgery is an inpatient procedure that often requires you to spend a day or two in the hospital.

Depending on where your surgery is performed, the price can be exorbitant. According to AARP, the average cost of a knee replacement in the US is about $50,000.^[1]AARP When to Have Knee-Replacement Surgery — And What to Expect “Knee replacements are expensive. Hospitals charge almost $50,000 on average…” View in Article

Private insurance may indeed cover most of the bill. Still, millions of Americans are uninsured.^[2]CDC Health Insurance Coverage “Number of persons under age 65 uninsured at the time of interview:32.8 million…Percent of persons under age 65 with private insurance at time of interview: 63.7%” View in Article For them, the procedure has to be paid out-of-pocket. That’s not feasible for most individuals. Now let’s take a look at Mexico.

Knee Replacement Cost in Mexico (USD)

You can save up to 80% on a total knee replacement in Mexico compared to the US.

Affordable All-Inclusive Knee Replacement Surgery in Mexico

Our package costs for knee replacement in Mexico are as follows:

Cancun: $15,800 (Unilateral)
Puebla: $9,500 to $11,500 (Unilateral)
Tijuana: $7000 to $14,900 (includes 3-day hospital stay)
Puerto Vallarta: $12,500 (Unilateral); $22,500 (Bilateral)
Ciudad Juarez: $10,000 (package price for the private suite – includes 3-day hospital stay)

Why Get a Knee Replacement in Mexico?

Mexico is among the world’s most popular medical tourism destinations.^[1]Grand View Research Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Country- Forecasts, 2020 – 2027 “… Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Colombia, Turkey…have been covered in the report based on their emergence as popular destinations for medical tourism.” View in Article The overall cost of living is low relative to the US. That means hospitals and clinics can charge much less for medical procedures.

Many Americans who lack health insurance thus make the short trip across the border to Mexico for treatment.

Are you thinking about doing so for your knee replacement? Here are some factors to bear in mind.

• Substantial savings (expect to pay as high as $50,000 in the US for your surgery).
• The country is culturally quite “American.”
• Some of the Mexican cities, such as Tijuana and Puerto Vallarta, are frequently visited by Americans. Hence, you won’t feel like a fish out of water here.
• Getting here is easy. The major cities of the country are connected to the US and Canada with regular flights.
• If you choose a border town for your knee replacement, getting to your hospital would be a matter of driving a few blocks from the port of entry.
• Language barriers are minimal.
• You won’t face any waiting times to schedule your surgery.
• International Implant Brands Available

It’s important to note that the lower prices do not reflect a lack of safety or a substandard level of treatment.

On the contrary, Mexico hosts several world-class facilities that use all the latest technological innovations. Take implant brands. The top brands used by orthopedic surgeons in the US are likewise used in Mexico. These include:

There are numerous devices and compositions available. The particulars of your case will help your doctor determine which type of implant is right for you.

Self Pay Knee Replacement: USA vs Mexico

Apparently, self-pay knee replacement in Mexico is far more affordable than in the USA. Expect your all-inclusive knee surgery in Mexico to be 50 to 80% cheaper than the US hospital bill.

For a Total Knee Replacement (TKR) procedure, US surgeons quote up to 50,000 USD.  If you choose to get one knee replaced, your unilateral surgery should not cost more than 15,800 USD in Mexico.

Similarly, for a Partial Knee Replacement (PKR), the Mexican price is one-third of the US surgery cost. Even for bilateral surgery (both knees), Mexican hospitals charge between 8,750 to 11,250 USD compared to 25,000 USD in the States.

Top Knee Surgeons in Mexico

For something as complex as knee replacement surgery, you want to make sure you’re in good hands.

Fortunately, Mexico has plenty of outstanding orthopedic surgeons with impeccable credentials. Below are a few of them and their qualifications.

Knee Replacement Procedure Explained

Knee replacement involves interchanging those portions of the knee joint which bear weight with an artificial joint.

This is done to alleviate one’s condition from pain suffered during normal routine activities and even at rest.

Candidates are recommended a total or a partial knee replacement(PKR) depending on the extent of their problem.

Once you arrive in Mexico, your schedule will look something like this:

Note: Itineraries vary according to individual circumstances.

Post-surgery Support

Immediately following the procedure, you will have some pain and stiffness in your knee. You will also have bruising and swelling. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage your discomfort.

Expect to remain in the hospital for several days after your surgery. During this time, it’s important to start moving again as quickly as possible. Using your new knee is a critical part of the recovery process.

The medical team at the hospital will work with you to help you regain your mobility. You’ll be given a walking aid and exercises designed to promote blood flow to your knee.

Before being discharged from the hospital, be sure to express any questions or concerns regarding your procedure, recovery, potential complications, follow-up visits, etc.

Hospitals and Clinics for Knee Replacement in Mexico

Mexico is home to many first-rate hospitals and clinics with experience treating medical tourists from the US, UK, and Canada. They boast innovative technologies and highly skilled physicians.

Here are some examples.

Medical Tourism in Mexico for Knee Replacement

In Mexico, as we’ve seen, you can have your knee replacement surgery done by a highly skilled doctor without breaking the bank.

That alone makes it a top destination for medical tourists from various parts of the world. For Americans, there is the added benefit of regional proximity.

For example, hospital del Carmen in Tijuana is less than an hour’s drive from San Diego. Likewise, Hospital Angeles in Ciudad Juarez isn’t much more than a stone’s throw from El Paso.

But regardless of where in the US you live, flights to major Mexican cities are widely available and quite affordable. The same goes for patients living in Canada.

Furthermore, US and Canadian citizens can stay in Mexico for 180 days without a tourist visa.^[4]consulmex.sre.gob.mx Visitors who do not require a visa, with a stay up to 180 days “Citizens from the following countries who wish to visit Mexico as tourists, …in transit, for business, … for a period not exceeding 180 days,…Canada…United Kingdom, United States of America…” View in Article As long as you have a valid passport, there’s no need to worry about obtaining travel documents.

Many of the best hospitals in Mexico are located in cities that attract international tourists. They treat foreigners regularly. Some clinics have entire English-speaking departments committed to working with medical tourists.

That being the case, language barriers and other common travel headaches are not a major concern. Nevertheless, it’s good to learn some common Spanish words and expressions, just in case. Here is a helpful video to get you started.

Video Courtesy: SpanishPod101.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Don’t let financial barriers prevent you from addressing your chronic knee pain. If you lack health insurance, getting your total knee replacement done in Mexico warrants serious consideration.

With a bit of research, you can find top-notch care at a price that fits your budget. Contact us for a free quote.

References

1. Grand View Research: Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report
2. AARP: When to Have Knee-Replacement Surgery
3. CDC: Health Insurance
4. Consulmex.sre.gob.mx: Visitors who do not require a visa