Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Turkey
Are you considering medical tourism because the cost of knee replacement surgery is too high in the US, UK, or Canada?
Well, the good news is, thousands of patients each year travel overseas for affordable knee surgery. In this article, we'll talk about the cost of knee replacement surgery in Turkey.
Knee Replacement in Turkey
Traveling to another country to do your knee replacement surgery is a practical option. Turkey is one of the best countries to travel to, as with the best doctors, you can expect affordable, safe, and high-quality medical treatment.
Many Turkish doctors speak English, the cost of living is low, and you can take a well-deserved holiday before your operation.
Why Choose Turkey for Your Knee Replacement Surgery?
Before we cover the actual cost of surgery in Turkey, let's look at the benefits of performing your procedure in Turkey:
1. The Cost of Living Is Lower Than the USA
When the cost of living is lower in another country, everything will be cheaper. This includes medical bills, accommodation, transport, and food. So when arriving in Turkey, your money will last longer.
Recent research done by Expatistan found that living in Turkey is 150% cheaper than living in the USA.[1]
For example, if your rental costs $2,000 in the USA, you can expect to pay $600 for a similar apartment or house in Turkey.
Also, if you spend $400 on groceries each month, you'll only pay around $266 in Turkey. It is one of the main reasons thousands of patients looking for knee surgery opt for Turkey instead of the USA.
You can also get other affordable procedures in the country, such as hair transplant in Turkey.
2. Turkey Offers High-Quality Healthcare
Your medical expenses will be far less in Turkey, but it doesn't mean their institutions aren't advanced. Explore our advanced options, including robotic knee replacement surgery.
Turkey offers some of the best hospitals in Europe. Most of their staff speak English because they likely studied in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia.
Also, doctors who studied in Turkey attended world-renowned universities like:
- Istanbul University
- Ankara University
- Koc University
So, whether you get knee replacement in Izmir or Istanbul you're in good hands!
3. Turkey Is a Beautiful Place
Doing your knee replacement surgery in Turkey is the perfect opportunity to take that well-deserved vacation.
Now that your medical, accommodation and travel bills are more affordable, you can take a short vacation before your operation.
During these few weeks, feel free to visit famous places like Hagia Sophia Museum, Galata Tower and Restaurant, and the Grand Bazaar markets.
Galata Tower
It is an affordable opportunity to enjoy yourself and relax before your knee surgery.
Now that we've covered the benefits of surgery in Turkey, let's look at the cost of surgery in Turkey.
Can Knee Replacement in Turkey Help You?
Cost of Knee Surgeries in Turkey
Wondering how much does knee surgeries cost in Turkey? Expect your all-inclusive knee surgery in Turkey to be 60 to 70% cheaper than the US and UK prices.
If you choose to get a self-pay total knee replacement (TKR) for one knee, your unilateral surgery should not cost more than $14,000 in Turkey.
Even for bilateral surgery (both knees), Turkey hospitals charge between $17,500 and $21,000. Similarly, for a Partial Knee Replacement (PKR), the Turkey price is less than $13,000 for one knee and $20,000 for both knees.
| Procedure | Cost |
| Total knee replacement (Unilateral) | $11,000 - $14,000 |
| Total knee replacement (Bilateral) | $17,500 - $21,000 |
| Partial knee replacement (PKR) - Unilateral | $11,000 - $13,000 |
| Partial knee replacement (PKR) - Bilateral | $17,500 - $20,000 |
*Prices are subject to change.
These price packages include three days stay in the hospital, one unit blood transfusion, a one-day intensive care stay (in case of medical need), lab work, preoperative and postoperative examinations.
Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery in Turkey vs. USA, UK, & Canada
The average cost of total knee replacement surgery in Turkey is $11,000. However, other factors can affect this price. These factors include:
- Skill and experience of your surgeons
- The kind of hospital you choose
- The type of implants
Even if you choose the most expensive surgeons and hospitals in Turkey, the price won't be as high as the USA, UK, or Canada.
Cost Comparison of Knee Replacement in Different Countries
The USA has an average knee replacement surgery cost of $49,000 to $57,000. The price in the UK was a bit cheaper, averaging around $48,000.
Canada's average price was relatively low. You can expect to pay approximately $10,500 to $16,000 for knee surgery.[2]
Although Canada's average cost is twice as expensive as Turkey's, it's a bargain compared to the USA and UK.
This is the overlooked benefit of doing any surgery in Turkey. You can get the best surgeons in the country to perform your procedure, and it'll still be cheaper than doing your surgery in the USA.
The Best Orthopedic Hospitals in Turkey
Before heading over to Turkey, you want to do thorough research on the best hospitals.
Look for centers that specialize in knee replacement surgery and have reviews on their websites from ex-patients.
Research is essential because you must choose a hospital that caters to your needs. For knee replacement patients, the healthcare facility that stands out is:
Istanbul, Turkey
The JCI-accredited multi-specialty hospital delivers American-standard care at affordable prices.
It collaborates with Johns Hopkins Medical Center (USA) for an exchange of medical expertise and also supports the education of its doctors and staff.
The hospital has locations in Kemer, Belek, and Antalya, and features a laboratory and research institute.
- ISO Certified
- JCI Accredited
- ESMO Certified
- Anadolu Medical Center was established in 2005 and is one of the leading hospitals in Turkey.
- They also collaborate with other world-class hospitals like John Hopkins University Hospital.
- The Medical Travel Quality Alliance even ranked Anadolu Medical Center as the second-best clinic in the world.
With all these awards and partnerships with other famous hospitals, you can ensure that they will take care of your medical needs.
Now that you know the best hospitals in Turkey for knee replacement surgery, let's cover the top knee surgeons.
Top Knee Surgeons In Turkey
Dr. Nevzat Gokay
Dr. Nevzat Selim Gökay is a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon in Istanbul. He is accredited by the EBOT.
Dr. Gökay has been the Deputy Director of Physical Education and Sports at Istanbul Esenyurt University and Head of Coach Education.
He has also been honored with the title of Professor.
Education
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine
Memberships
- International Cartilage Repair Society
- European Board of Orthopedics & Traumatology
- Turkish Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology
Memberships to Scientific Organizations
- Turkish Sports Injuries and Knee Surgery Association (TUSYAD)
- Turkish Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology (TOTBID)
- International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS)
- Turkish Pediatric Orthopedic Association
- Turkish Medical Association (TTB)
- Turkish Arthroplasty Association
Knee Surgeon Reviews in Turkey
Mehmet CakmakKnee Surgery, Turkey
We would like to thank Dr. Gökay for his knowledge & experience for robotic knee replacement he performed on my mother.
Onur TanriverdiKnee Surgery, Turkey
Since my mother has Parkinson’s disease, we were very hesitant about the surgery. You performed a very successful operation.
How To Get Around in Turkey
After you've booked a plane ticket and accommodation and you've traveled to Turkey, one of the best ways to get around is by bus.
Every city has its intercity bus stations, so it's easy to get around. Also, cities get massive amounts of investment from Turkish companies.
This means that bus services are efficient, clean, and accommodate those with injuries and disabilities.
When you land in Turkey, consider going to the nearest bus station and buying a monthly pass.
The monthly pass is super helpful because it allows you to go anywhere in the city within that month for a once-off price. It's also more affordable than a car.
However, if you aren't a big fan of taking the bus, the next best option is to rent a car. Within Istanbul and other major cities in Turkey, you'll find several car rental companies offering affordable car rentals.
Feel free to rent a vehicle for as long as you're staying in Turkey. It might be a bit more expensive than a bus, but you won't have to walk to the nearest bus station when recovering from knee surgery.
How Can I Pay for Knee Surgery in Turkey?
Needing knee replacement surgery doesn't only put a strain on you physically but financially also.
It's challenging to deal with an unexpected medical expense, even if you've been saving for a while. Luckily, you have a few options:
Borrow From Retirement Savings
In a perfect world, you wouldn't borrow from your retirement savings. However, the world is far from perfect, and sometimes you'll have to make compromises during medical emergencies.
With a 401K retirement fund, you can use up to 50% of your savings or $50,000. It should be more than enough to do your knee replacement surgery in Turkey.
Medical Crowdfunding
Medical crowdfunding is a way to raise money from many donors to help pay for your knee procedure.
While this looks like a simple solution, each donor typically donates a few dollars, which can be difficult to pay for your entire surgery.
However, medical crowdfunding is a practical option if you already have money for your surgery but need a few extra thousand dollars.
Personal Loans
If all else fails, consider taking out a personal loan. It's an instant way of getting extra cash for your surgery, and if the interest rates are reasonable, then a personal loan is a good option.
FAQs About Knee Replacement in Turkey
Yes, the budget-friendly knee replacement surgery in Turkey costs 70-80% less than in the US.
International hospitals accommodate patients from hundreds of countries around the world. That’s why many accept all major payment methods. Some of these options include:
- Electronic bank transfers
- Cards Cash
- Mobile payments
- Checks
So, regardless of your payment method of choice, almost all hospitals in Turkey will accept your funds.
Depending on the type of surgery and technique used, knee replacement surgery requires a hospital stay of 2 to 3 days.[3]
After hospital discharge, you may have to stay in the hotel for three days before travelling back to your country. Post-surgery, your medical team, including physiotherapists, will conduct several sessions to strengthen the knee.
With globally renowned hospitals and highly qualified orthopaedic surgeons, your knee replacement in Turkey is certainly safe. Moreover, studies show that:[4]
- Over 90% of replacement knees function for more than 15 years
- 82% of total knee replacements are functional even after 25 years.
Related Resources
Discover more options for Orthopedic Surgery in Turkey:
Conclusion
If you're short on cash or you're looking to save money, consider doing your knee replacement surgery in Turkey.
They have several hospitals with world-class English-speaking orthopedic surgeons. This way, you'll have the best surgeons doing your procedure while only paying a fraction of what you would in the US, UK, or Canada.
References
1. Expatistan: Cost of living in the United States compared to Turkey
2. CJRR annual report: Hip and knee replacements in Canada
3. MedlinePlus: Hip or knee replacement - in the hospital after
4. Healthline: All You Want to Know About Total Knee Replacement
