Orthopedic Surgery in India
Are you considering orthopedic surgery in India as surgery in the US is expensive? The good news is that thousands of Americans and Canadians travel to India for surgery each year. Read to know about medical tourism in India for orthopedics.
Orthopedic Surgery in India
Traveling to India to do orthopedic surgery saves you thousands of dollars, and you get access to the best surgeons in the country.
Many of these surgeons were trained in the USA and Europe and speak English fluently. This makes India a practical solution for orthopedic patients in the USA.
Why Choose India to Do Orthopedic Surgery?
1. Surgery in India is Affordable
India offers more affordable healthcare compared to popular medical tourist destinations like Turkey, Mexico, and Spain.
This is the main reason patients choose to do their knee surgery in India instead of these destinations.
The average cost of knee replacement surgery in India is around ₹1.5 lakh or $2,000.
At the same time, the average cost of knee surgery in the USA is an astonishing $49,000 to $57,000. The price of surgery in the UK is slightly lower at $40,000 to $48,000.
India's cost is considerably lower even if compared with other popular medical tourist destinations like Turkey.
You can expect to pay $7,500 in Turkey for knee surgery. It is more affordable than the USA or UK, but three times higher than the cost in India.
| Country | Cost |
| India | $2,000 |
| Turkey | $7,500 |
| USA | $49,000 - $57,000 |
| UK | $40,000 - $48,000 |
2. India Is a Beautiful Place
Another reason why many patients visit India for surgery is it's a beautiful destination to take a vacation.
If you've been postponing a well-deserved vacation, consider taking it before your procedure in India. It's affordable, and you get to see beautiful places like:
Taj Mahal
Ranthambore National Park
3. India Offers Some of the Best Orthopedic Surgeons
While the most significant benefit of surgery in India is affordability, you'll think that the facilities and surgeons aren't that good.
However, the complete opposite is true. India offers some of the world's best hospitals and surgeons.
For example, Newsweek and Statista ranked Apollo Hospital as the world's best smart hospital in 2021 for using the most advanced technologies.[1]
Robotic Surgery in India
Many Indian surgeons also studied and practiced in the USA, Canada, and Europe, so they speak English fluently. Those who didn't study overseas studied in world-renowned universities in India. Some include:
- The University of Delhi
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- St. John's National Academy of Health Services
It ensures that you're surrounded by some of the world's best surgeons when you do your operation.
Now that we've looked at the benefits of surgery in India, let's see how much orthopedic surgery costs.
How Much Does Orthopedic Surgery Cost In India?
We already covered the cost of complete knee replacement surgery in India, which is around $2,000. But let's see how much other types of orthopedic surgery cost:
- Knee replacement surgery
- Total hip replacement surgery
- Shoulder and rotator cuff surgery
- ACL surgery
If you're doing knee replacement surgery, you'll pay around $49,000 to $57,000 for surgery in the USA. In India, it'll only cost $2,000.
On average, you can expect to pay around $4,000 for total hip replacement surgery in India. In the USA, you'll pay between $23,000 and $74,000 for the same procedure.
With shoulder and rotator cuff surgery, you'll pay around $7,200 and $8,100 in India. Compared to the USA, the same surgery costs around $20,000 but can go up to $50,000.
When doing an ACL procedure in India, you’ll only need about $2,500. In the USA, expect to pay $20,000 to $50,000.
| Procedure | USA | India |
| Total knee replacement surgery | $49,000 - $57,000 | $2,000 |
| Total hip replacement | $23,000 - $74,000 | $4,000 |
| Shoulder and rotator cuff surgery | $20,000 - $50,000 | $7,200 - $8,100 |
| ACL surgery | $20,000 - $50,000 | $2,500 |
*Prices are subject to change.
Applying for orthopedic surgery abroad can seem intimidating, and this causes many patients to avoid it and do surgery in their home country, where it’s more expensive.
However, preparing for a trip to India is straightforward and even fun. Here’s how to apply for orthopedic surgery in India with minimal fuss:
Step 1. Do Thorough Research
You never want to head overseas without doing extensive research about where you’ll be staying, what hospital you’re doing surgery at, and how to get around town.
The first step is to read reviews and learn about hospitals in India that specialize in orthopedic surgery. This could be via email, video call, or text message with a medical tourism expert.
Here’s your opportunity to ask them any questions you might have. Some may include:
- Do surgeons operate on medical tourists frequently?
- How long must I stay in hospital after my surgery?
- Does the hospital staff speak English?
Once you’ve spoken to several hospitals, decide which hospital you like best, depending on their answers to your questions.
During this time, it’s crucial to get an idea of how far your accommodation is to the hospital. Will you need private transport or is public transport fine? Also, how will you get around when you’re recovering?
For this reason, it’s best to live in a hotel nearest to your hospital of choice.
Pro tip: Talk to people who traveled to India for surgery. Most ex-patients are happy to help, and you can get an idea of how their experience was, what mistakes they made, and how to avoid it.
Step 2. Book Your Accommodation And Hospital Appointment
Once you’ve done extensive research, book a room at a nearby accommodation. It doesn’t have to be a hotel. Feel free to use a vacation rental service like Airbnb since they can be cheaper and closer to your hospital.
You’ll also need to set an appointment with your hospital. If you’re going to take a vacation before your surgery, book tickets for local tours to iconic landmarks, nature reserves, and other tourist attractions.
Step 3. Get Your Documents Ready
Once everything is set, get the necessary documentation ready. This includes:
After you’ve gathered all the necessary documents, make a copy of each one and take a picture of it with your mobile phone.
This way, you’ll always have backup papers, and in the unlikely situation where you lose your backups, you’ll have pictures on your phone.
Here Are the Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery in India
When doing surgery in India, you want to be sure that you’re in one of the best hospitals employing top surgeons in Delhi, Mumbai, or Hyderabad.
This is where researching beforehand plays a vital role in the quality of your trip. To make your life a little easier, here are some of the best hospitals to do knee replacement surgery:
They have served more than 120 million lives from over 120 countries across the globe. They are the first in South Asia to revolutionize brain tumor surgery with the help of ZAP-X.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is one of the best hospitals in Delhi, w
- 1995 Established
- 5,000+ Pharmacies
- 11,000+ Care Providers
Apollo Hospital is a healthcare facility that’s deeply connected to India’s history.
It employs over 60,000 professionals and is famous for its high-quality healthcare. This makes it a popular choice for medical tourists in the USA and Canada.
Apollo built several hospitals around India. Some of these are located in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
This way, you can choose which city to operate in and visit breathtaking landmarks, museums, and national parks in the area.
Equipped with 256 Slice CT Angio, 3.0 Tesla MRI, and Cath Labs, it offers Cardiac Sciences, Orthopaedics, Urology, Neurology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology.
With 300+ specialists and advanced technology, it provides comprehens
- NABH Accredited
- 300+ Doctors
- 22+ Departments
The Max Super Specialty Hospital employs some of the best orthopedic surgeons in Delhi.
Many of their surgeons were trained in the USA and Canada and speak fluent English.
Some of these surgeons studied at world-renowned institutions like:
-
- University of Oxford
- University of California
- Johns Hopkins University
You’re surrounded by the best knee replacement surgeons in India when you walk into the operation room.
The hospital also brings in some of the best robot-assisted technology because they always spend time and money developing quality medical equipment.
It offers comprehensive care, equipped with 16 ICU beds, 6 PICUs, 7 NICUs, and advanced facilities like endoscopy and radiology.
The facility has 290 doctors and 201 nursing staff. It is accredited by NABH for its commitment to delivering quality healthcare and industry accolades.
- NABH Accredited
- NABL Accredited
- 36+ Specialties
Max Healthcare Hospital, located in Gurgaon, India, is a 72-bed facility that operates on thousands of medical tourists each year.
Here are some surgeries they specialize in:
- Partial and total knee arthroscopy
- Hip joint resurfacing
- Shoulder replacements
- Anterior cruciate ligament or ACL reconstruction
The modern healthcare facility also contains 12 ICU beds, 5 PICUs, 5 NICUs, and 5 cardio care beds.
Regardless of what type of bone surgery you need, Max Healthcare employs hundreds of professionals with decades of experience.
They also receive millions of dollars in investment capital, allowing them to invest in the best equipment and house more patients.
It's location makes it a great choice if you’re looking to have some fun before your procedure.
World Class Orthopedic Suites in India | MTC Partner Hospital
Now that we’ve looked at the best hospitals in India to do your orthopedic surgery, let’s cover the best surgeons.
Top 10 Orthopedic Surgeons In India
Dr. Anil Arora
35+ years of experience
DNB, MS
Expertise
Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgeon
Education
National Board of Examinations and Dr. SN Medical College, Jodhpur
- Principal Director of Max Healthcare’s orthopedic and joint replacement department.
- One of the best knee replacement surgeons in Delhi
- Performed over 12,000 Joint Replacement Surgeries
- Awarded “GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS” for largest gathering of Joint Replacement patients, April 2018
Dr. J. Maheswari
42+ years of experience
MS Ortho
Expertise
Knee & Shoulder Replacement
Education
AIIMS, New Delhi
- Head of Orthopaedics Department, Saket, Max Hospital
- Pioneer in arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery
- Performed 6000+ total and partial knee replacements, and 200+ shoulder replacements
- Invented and published a number of new operations in knee & shoulder surgery
Dr. H.N. Bajaj
36+ years of experience
MS
Expertise
Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement
Education
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- Head of Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics & Joint Replacements, Max Hospital
- Chairman Award for outstanding services - 2011
- Member of Delhi Orthopaedic Association
- Member of Association of Spine Surgeons of India
Dr. Ramneek Mahajan
25+ Years of Experience
MS, M Ch
Expertise
Joint Replacement and Arthroscopy
Education
Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Marathwada University
- Fellowship in Joint Replacement from Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Puettlingen Hospital, Germany and The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
- Performed 16500+ Joint Replacements and 34000+ other Orthopedic surgeries
- Life member of Indian Federation Of Sports Medicine
- Life member of Indian Orthopaedic Association
Dr. Vikas Gupta
32+ years of experience
MS
Expertise
Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement
Education
AIIMS, New Delhi
- AO Fellowship Freiberg, Germany
- Hand Surgery fellowship from Mayo Clinic Rochester, USA
- Successfully performed over 6000 complex hand upper and extremity surgeries
- Member of Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA)
Dr. Ashish Jain
28+ years of experience
MS (Orthopaedics)
Expertise
Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery, Joint Reconstruction & Trauma
Education
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka
- Director - Robotic Joint Replacements & Orthopaedics, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
- Member of Indian Arthroplasty Association (IAA)
- Member of Indian Society of Hip & Knee Surgeons (ISHKS)
Dr. Lavindra Tomar
31+ years of experience
MCh (Ortho)
Expertise
Complex and Revision Total Knee Replacements, Arthroscopic ACL Reconstructions
Education
University of Dundee, Scotland, UK
- Senior Director & Unit Head (Orthopaedic & Joint Replacement Surgery), Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj
- Fellow of International College of Surgeons (ICS), USA
- Fellowship, Association of Osteosynthesis Davos (Switzerland)
- Performed over 10,000 Joint Replacement Surgeries
- Member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Dr. Ashish Mittal
30+ years of experience
MS (Orthopaedics)
Expertise
Joint Replacements, Trauma surgery
Education
KMC, Manipal, Karnataka
- Stryker’s Hip and Knee Course - Hong Kong
- Zimmer Hip and Knee Course - Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
- AO Trained Surgeon in Operative Fracture Management
- Member of Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA)
Dr. Balvinder Rana
31+ years
MS Orthopaedics
Expertise
Ankle and Foot Arthroscopy, Ankle ligament reconstruction
Education
Wardha, India Nagpur University
- Specialist in Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement
- Member of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
- Member of Indian Foot and Ankle Society
- Member of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
Dr. Chandeep Singh
21+ years
MS (Orth.)
Expertise
Computer Assisted Joint Replacement, Arthroplasty surgery
Education
University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B Hospital, Delhi
- Associate Director -Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Orthopaedics Max Hospital, Gurugram
- Awards: Arthroplasty surgery , Trauma and Reconstructive surgery
- Member of Arthroplasty Society in Asia (ASIA)
- Member of Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons (ISHKS)
- Member of Indian Arthroplasty Association (IAA)
Top Orthopedic Surgeon in Bangalore, India
Orthopedic Surgery in India - Patient Reviews
Knee Replacement Surgery - Iraqi Patient Testimonial
Knee Replacement Surgery - US Patient Testimonial
How To Get Around In India
When you arrive in India, you’ll have a few transport options:
- A ride-hailing service like Uber
- Bus
- Rented car
Navigating India might seem intimidating, but India contains big cities with effective transport options that allow you to get around with minimal hassle.
Consider taking the bus to explore a big city like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore.
Most Indian buses accommodate those with wheelchairs and crutches.
You can go to the nearest bus station and buy a monthly ticket for a few dollars.
It allows you to travel as much as you want for an affordable price.
Avoid government-owned intercity buses as they may be crowded.
However, a private bus service like that from Volvo can be comfortable to use.
You could also opt for an Uber or rent a car.
Uber is quite affordable, and they’ll help after your surgery if you’re in a wheelchair or need crutches.
Renting a car is also a practical choice for those with minor operations.
But if you’re getting knee or hip surgery, this may not be feasible.
Conclusion
Doing orthopedic surgery in the USA, Canada, or the UK can cost over ten times more than India. That’s why thousands of patients travel to India each year for affordable surgery. You also get access to some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the world.
Reference
1.Newsweek: The World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2021
