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.” 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)
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Total knee replacement (one knee) | $7,000-$15,800 |
| Total knee replacement (both knees) | $17,500-$22,500 |
You can save up to 80% on a total knee replacement in Mexico compared to the US.
Included in these prices is a multi-night stay in the hospital. Your medical tourism package may further include:
- Transportation (between airport and hospital)
- Pre-op consultation
- Lab work
- Imaging (CT scan, MRI, X-Ray)
- Doctor’s fees
- Hospital fees
- Medications
- Follow-up support
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.[3]Grand View Research Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Country- Forecasts, 2020 – 2027 “… Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, Brazil, Colombia, Turkey… 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.
Bonus – Pick-up Facility!
Ciudad Juarez – Complimentary ground transportation from El Paso, Texas, US airport to the hospital
Puerto Vallarta – Free pick-up from the PVR Airport
Tijuana – Free pick-up from the San Diego airport or any hotel close to the border or the airport
Self Pay Knee Replacement: USA vs Mexico
| Procedure | Cost in Mexico | Cost in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $9,000-$13,000 | $30,000-$50,000 |
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.
- Board Certified in Orthopaedics and Traumatology
- Member of the Mexican College of Orthopedics and Traumatology
- International Affiliate Member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in Rosemont, Illinois, USA
- Mexican Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
- International Affiliate Member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- Active Member of the Mexican Association of Arthroscopic Surgeons (AMECRA)
- Specialist in traumatology and orthopedics, IMSS Regional General Hospital, Tijuana
- Master in Directive Management of Health Institutions
- Practice as an Orthopedic Traumatologist, Lomas Verdes Orthopedic and Trauma hospital, IMSS, Mexico.
- Specialty in Joint Reconstructive Surgery and Arthroscopy
- Certified by the Mexican Council of Orthopedics and Traumatology AC
- Performed over 3,000 surgeries and treated 17,000+ patients
- Specialty in Orthopedics
- High specialty in medical and surgical care for spinal disorders
- Certified by the Mexican Council of Orthopedics and Traumatology AC
- Member of the Mexican Association of Spine Surgeons (AMCICO)
Knee Replacement Procedure Explained
Knee replacement involves interchanging those portions of the knee joint which bear weight with an artificial joint.
It is done to alleviate one’s condition from pain suffered during normal routine activities and even at rest.
Knee replacements are performed in people suffering from:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
Total Knee Arthroplasty
Video Courtesy: Medical- E-Study
Candidates are recommended a total or a partial knee replacement(PKR) depending on the extent of their problem.
- Preparing For Surgery
- You will be advised to perform motion exercises and knee strengthening activities daily.
- One month before your surgery, you will be asked to take iron supplements to increase hemoglobin levels in your blood.
- You will have to get some safety features at your house changed, such as making provisions for the elevated toilet seat and a bench/chair for taking a shower.
- Make sure you don’t eat or drink anything after the midnight preceding your surgery.
Once you arrive in Mexico, your schedule will look something like this:
Treatment Itinerary
1st day: Go to the hospital for consultation and tests; return to the hotel
2nd day: Knee replacement surgery; stay in the hospital
3rd day: Stay in the hospital to recover
4th day: Leave the hospital; rest in the hotel
5th day: Rest in the hotel
6th day: Go to the hospital for post-op consultation; return to the hotel
7th day: Travel back to the US
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.
- Aftercare Tips
- Make sure you do the exercises recommended by your doctor.
- Avoid the temptation to support your knee with a pillow when sleeping. Doing so can bend your knee permanently.
- Avoid kneeling on your replaced knee till the time your surgeons permit you to.
- Alleviate swelling with ice packs.
- Avoid extreme activities, such as bicycling or skiing.
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.
|
Hospital |
Features |
|---|---|
Hospital del Carmen (Tijuana)
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CMQ Hospital (Puerto Vallarta)
|
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Galenia Hospital (Cancun)
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MAC Hospital (Puebla)
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Hospital Angeles (Ciudad Juarez)
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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 “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)
Q: How much does a knee replacement cost in Mexico?
A: A total knee replacement (TKR) in Mexico costs $7,000-$10,500. If you need both knees done, be prepared to pay $17,500-$22,500.
Q: Is surgery cheaper in Mexico?
A: Yes, by a substantial margin, American patients can save up to 80% on medical costs by traveling to Mexico for a procedure.
Q: Are Mexican doctors good?
A: Mexican doctors are among the best in the world.
You’ll have no problem finding an experienced, board-certified surgeon to perform your knee replacement surgery.
Q: Why get a knee replacement in Mexico?
A: There are three main reasons:
- You will save money
- You will receive world-class care
- Traveling to Mexico from the US is hassle-free.
Beyond that, Mexico is a beautiful country with a vibrant culture that is worth experiencing.
Q: What type of post-surgery support can I expect?
A: The same kind of support you would get from a hospital in the US.
The medical staff will work with you to get you back on your feet and into the first phase of recovery.
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
- Grand View Research: Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report
- AARP: When to Have Knee-Replacement Surgery
- CDC: Health Insurance
- Consulmex.sre.gob.mx: Visitors who do not require a visa
Contact Us Now
Medical Tourism Corporation is an international medical travel company based in the US. Our goal is to have satisfied and happy medical tourists.
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