Affordable Knee Replacement Options

If you have chronic knee pain, then there is a chance that you might need a knee replacement. This can be a costly procedure in the West, which is why so many patients are traveling abroad for knee replacement surgery. Many Americans choose to get knee replacement in Tijuana or elsewhere in Mexico. Costa Rica is also an option available to them if they do not wish to travel to the other end of the world to avail low cost knee replacements. If you have already been told by a medical professional that knee replacement surgery is necessary for you to completely overcome your knee pain, but you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on medical care, then medical tourism might be for you.

 

 

Going Abroad For Knee Replacement Surgery - What To Expect?

      Medical tourism for procedures like knee replacement surgery is a growing industry. As it grows to cater more westerners from America, Canada, Australia, and beyond, the industry refines itself, providing more and more quality options for patients in need of affordable medical care. If you are considering knee replacement surgery abroad you shouldn’t settle unless you: 

• Save between 40-65% over the price quoted by a doctor in your hometown. If you are going to get knee surgery abroad, you should save at least that much money in order to make the travel worth your while. 
• Get a top notch doctor. Whether you get a knee replacement in India, Costa Rica, or Mexico, it is easy to find a surgeon that has been educated in the West and has an impressive CV. Don’t settle for a third-rate doctor when you can find a doctor with ample experience and a degree from a first tier medical school. 
• Find a first class hospital or clinic. All over the world, there are many hospitals and clinics that are accredited by international bodies. It is best to try to seek medical attention at one of these facilities because they have a stamp of approval. If you can’t find an accredited hospital, at least find out as much as you can about the clinic or hospital before your surgery. Remember, if the best is available for a similar price, why settle for anything less?

It is very much possible to get some of the best treatment in the world for a small percentage of the price when you travel abroad for knee replacement surgery or any other procedure. If you take the time to research and find a renowned doctor and hospital, you will have a great experience abroad.

 

Saving On Your Knee Replacement Surgery Trip

      In addition to the cost of knee replacement surgery, you will also incur basic travel expenses along the way. In order to minimize your overall expenses, you should:

• Book your flight tickets well in advance. You will usually get the biggest savings if you book 4-6 weeks in advance.  
•  Stay in a hotel that is relatively close to your clinic. This will cut down on your daily travel expenses within the country. 
• Choose to get your knee surgery in a country that isn’t too far from your home country. The closer the country is to your hometown, the more likely it is for you to find a reasonably priced air ticket. If you are from the US, knee surgery in Mexico or Costa Rica is a good option. If you are from Australia, knee surgery in Thailand or India is a feasible option.

These small tips will really add up and contribute to your overall savings during your knee replacement surgery abroad.

Knee Replacement in Tijuana - A Low Cost Option

Knee replacement in Tijuana is a worthwhile alternative for those seeking to get respite from debilitating knee pain without emptying their coffers. The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons reported that there were a total of 800,000 hip and knee replacements in 2003 in the US. Majority of knee replacements take place in patients above 50 years of age who suffer from some type of arthritis. Younger patients who require knee replacement have usually had an injury to the knee such as falling while playing a contact sport. People travel to get knee replacements in Tijuana, a Mexican border town, to avoid the exorbitant price of surgery in a US medical facility. 

Going to Tijuana from California

The majority of American medical tourists seeking knee replacements in Tijuana come via California. You can reach Tijuana by land from San Diego in just a few hours, which includes the time spent at border control. If you are considering knee replacement in Tijuana, many patients opt to fly to San Diego and then drive across the border. You can travel by private car or take a bus across the border. Some rental car companies allow you to rent a car and drive across the border.

What Will I Need to Cross the Border?

You will not need a passport when traveling to Tijuana for knee replacement surgery but you will need to carry a photo ID such as a driver’s license. If you are bringing a child under 16 of years of age who doesn’t have a passport, you will need to carry his/her birth certificate. If you are driving a private car, you should also carry your vehicle registration.

 

Benefits of Traveling to Tijuana for Knee Replacement

Cost is the biggest factor pulling medical tourists to get orthopedic surgeries and even weight loss procedures such as lap band and gastric bypass in Tijuana. Even if you are coming from another state, your overall expenses including airfare and stay will still be less than if you were to get the surgery in a US hospital or medical clinic. 

In addition to affordable medical care you can expect:

·         Hospitable staff

·         Educated doctors

·         Clean facilities

·         State of the art technology

·         Modern practices

·         Western-friendly environment

Many facilities in Tijuana cater to medical tourists. Don’t be surprised if as many as 90% of the patients are also Americans or Western Europeans. Because these facilities specialize in treating Western patients, they keep a high standard of medical treatment. 

Other Nearby Alternatives

Other cities in Mexico also offer extensive service to medical tourists seeking surgery such as knee replacement. Some of the more popular cities for medical tourism in Mexico include:

·         Cancun

·         Guadalajara

·         Monterrey

·         Mexicali

If you decide to get knee replacement surgery in Tijuana, you can have a great experience.  Ensure you have the best surgery possible by doing all of the necessary research about your doctor and medical facility. Also, do not forget to bring all of your previous medical records, including those listing any pharmaceutical allergies so that your doctor can fully understand and assess your case to give you the best surgery possible.