The Cost of Joint Replacement Surgery in India for International Patients

They are very affordable in India, around half the cost of the same surgery in Nigeria, and much less than the cost in Europe or the US, with better results.

The definitive treatment is that the patient should be visiting the doctor regularly. If the condition is detected and treated at an early stage, that is the definitive treatment. A patient who ignores an ACL injury, skips the recommended MRI, skips the recommended surgery and skips the medicines is the one who progresses to osteoarthritis and eventually needs a knee replacement. Patients with a problem in one knee who don't get it treated often go on to develop the same problem in the other knee, then the hips, then the spine. The definitive treatment is listening to the doctor and following through, whether that means physiotherapy or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

I am not a strong advocate for PRP. Once the joint surface and the cartilage are already gone, PRP cannot regenerate them, so I don't believe it delivers a real result. I would want to see the patient's X-rays, and an MRI if needed, before deciding what should actually be done.

As surgical techniques progress, more countries are attempting these surgeries, but two things need to be in place regardless: a genuinely sterile operating theatre, and excellent post-operative facilities, since that is what actually gets the patient the benefit of the surgery. There are no absolute contraindications beyond the patient having a poor overall medical condition, for example a cardiac condition that would make operating on them risky.

Bilateral hip replacement can always be done, either in the same sitting or with a gap between the two sides, depending on the patient's condition. If the body can tolerate it, both sides can be done together. If the body, or the finances, don't allow that, there can be a gap in between, but rehabilitation and the expected result need to be planned accordingly.

Dr. Bhatia estimates it at around half the cost of the same surgery in Nigeria, and considerably less than in Europe or the United States, without a corresponding drop in outcomes.

Dr. Bhatia says there are essentially none beyond a patient's overall fitness for surgery, such as significant cardiac disease. Otherwise, a sterile operating theatre and strong post-operative care are what actually determine the outcome.

Yes, if the patient's body can tolerate it. Otherwise, the two sides can be staged with a gap in between, depending on the patient's physical condition and finances.