Hip Replacement Surgery Abroad

Abow you can find a list of the clinics that offer high-quality hip replacement abroad.

Hip Replacement Abroad

Our hip joint is one of the strongest and most important joints in the body, however sometimes it becomes damaged and no longer functions as it should without considerable pain. Most often this is caused by osteoarthritis.

Full hip replacement or total hip replacement involves making an incision in the skin so the hip joint is revealed and then replacing the ball and socket joint. Various different protheses are available, produced in metal, plastic or ceramic or, usually, a combination of these materials. Laparoscopy surgery (minimally invasive) may be used, if it is appropriate.

A hip replacement procedure is elective surgery – meaning that it is not regarded as an emergency. An eligible patient will be placed on a waiting list for NHS treatment. The hip replacement operation is major surgery and most surgeons will expect the patient to have tried other less invasive methods such as medication, physiotherapy and/or steroid injections.

Many people are opting for private hip replacement and go abroad for it is the best way to have it done.

Recovery from hip replacement surgery, to the point where the patient can participate in most normal activities, is about 3 months. It will be necessary to walk with crutches for up to 6 weeks after surgery.

With extensive waiting lists in the UK, many people are opting for private hip replacement. Unless the surgery is covered by a private medical insurance policy, however, this can be very expensive – around £12,000. Prior to Brexit it was possible to arrange a funded NHS hip replacement aboard, but this is no longer possible. The new GHIC card, necessary for treatment on the NHS in Europe and other countries, only covers emergency treatment, not elective surgery.

Hip replacement abroad is becoming more and more popular. Some of the best orthopaedic surgeons for hip replacement can be found in the USA and other countries in Europe and medical tourism is a booming industry, despite the setbacks of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many people now choose to pay for private hip replacement abroad because it is much cheaper than in the UK and, using some of the best orthopaedic surgeons, hip replacement in a foreign country can be a win-win situation.

• However, it does pay to take care about the choice of hospital/clinic and surgeon – the hip replacement operation is major surgery. Firstly, it helps to know as much as possible about the procedure itself, how it can be performed and what the different types of protheses are. Our full article on hip replacement will help you. Armed with this knowledge you can ask pertinent questions of the surgeon.
• Secondly, it is wise to find out as much as possible about the various countries and medical establishments that can offer this surgery. First hand recommendations are great or talk to a reputable medical tourism agent who can advise on the different clinics and hospitals they represent, as well as giving information about the medical staff.
• Thirdly, check out how the hospitals/clinics abroad are regulated and how the standards for private hip replacement are enforced. In addition, try to find out as much as possible about the surgeon.
• Fourthly, in the highly unlikely event of complications after the hip replacement abroad – what happens?
• Fifthly, You should always be able to have a consultation with the surgeon prior to your departure from the UK. They should be able to tell you what the procedure involves, its limitations and the alternative procedures that are available. In addition, you should be informed about what type of prosthesis they will be using. The surgeon should also point out any risks or complications.

Hip Replacement Cost Abroad

The cost of hip replacement UK is around £12,000, however this figure will vary from region to region and from clinic to clinic. The cost of hip replacement abroad can be considerably cheaper in some countries.

How much does a hip replacement cost abroad? The hip replacement cost varies between different countries. This difference in costs is only down to the differences in the cost of living, particularly, for example, surgeons’ salaries, cost of maintaining medical facilities etc. This variation in prices does not reflect any inferiority in the medical facilities or, indeed, medical staff.

The cost of hip replacement overseas, often, does not include the cost of return flights and may not cover additional hotel accommodation. Accommodation in the hospital/clinic is included, but after the hip replacement surgery, the patient will be expected to stay in the country for up to 14 days in total so that post-operation checks and tests can be made.  So, how much is a private hip replacement in different countries? The following table gives estimated surgery costs:

The majority of the best value for money prices are available in Central and Eastern European countries, where the cost of living is much lower than in the UK. It is true that some of the farther countries can also offer good prices for hip replacements, for example Malaysia or Mexico, however, flying long haul after such major surgery is not such a good idea. For those people with relatives in these countries and who can afford to stay some time in the country, these places may be considered, but a 10+ hour flight one week after such major surgery is not recommended due to the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis). So, generally, it is better to look at the hip replacement cost in Europe.

As with the cost of hip replacement UK, the cost of private hip replacement abroad may or may not include such things as post-surgery physiotherapy and walking aids such as a walker or crutches. Indeed, with any hip replacement cost in the UK or overseas it is always important to establish exactly what is included in the total given price. The actual hip replacement surgery basic cost is obviously important, but to get a real cost it pays to check all the different extras that may be payable. Sometimes certain clinics do include additional hotel accommodation for both the patient and a person accompanying them and/or physiotherapy sessions in the quoted hip replacement costs.

Providing you do your homework and check out all the facts and costs, the cost of hip replacement surgery abroad can be a genuine saving on UK prices.

More Reasons to get Hip Replacement Surgery Abroad

There is no doubt that the main attraction of hip replacement surgery abroad is the relatively low cost compared to the UK. However, there are some other very good reasons why surgery overseas is a good choice.

Sometimes, patients like to combine their surgery with a holiday (although this is best before surgery – too much sun and/or alcohol after surgery does not make for a good recovery). If not a full holiday, it certainly offers at least an opportunity to visit a different country and experience a different culture. Even some days away from the UK, despite the surgery, can be seen as a chance for some rest and relaxation from the usual hubbub of life. Who wouldn’t appreciate a few days break away in a hotel, away from normal life – and just what the doctor ordered in terms of recovery after surgery. Flying to a destination may seem a little time consuming, however for some people the UK journey needed to travel to a good private hip replacement surgeon could almost be as long.  Let’s look at some other good reasons to consider having hip replacement surgery abroad.

Combine hip replacement surgery with a holiday!

Educated Orthopaedist

The man or woman who performs hip replacement surgery is an orthopaedist. An orthopaedic surgeon (sometimes known as an orthopaedist doctor) basically corrects abnormalities in the bones of the body.

Medical and orthopaedic training varies throughout the world and the pathways to achieve competency in orthopaedic surgery differ between countries. Having said that, it is probably true to say that there is some commonality within Europe. Most countries offer a 5 or 6 year basic medical programme in order to become a ‘doctor’ with a further 5/6 year programme to specialise in orthopaedics.

The Federation of Orthopaedic Trainees in Europe (FORTE) is attempting to standardise the training within the 31 current European members. Although not compulsory European graduates may take the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT) fellowship examination. Many graduates, particularly from central and eastern Europe look for employment in other, often western, European countries, mainly due to the financial incentives. Indeed, the NHS is full of foreign educated doctors. This movement between countries does mean, however, that there is a lot of information and training constantly transferring, at a personal level, between European countries.

In most European countries, the number of applicants wishing to specialise in orthopaedic training is often greater than the number of training positions available. Hence, it can be assumed that only the best doctors can become orthopaedic surgeons.

Many studies undertaken on hip replacements have shown that the experience of the surgeon is one of the most important factors in a successful outcome. Questions like:

• Are they a specialist in hip replacement?
• How long have they been practising?
• How many hip replacements did they perform last year (100+ is a reasonable figure)?
• What is their post-surgery infection rate?
• What is their hip replacement success rate?
• What qualifications do they hold and which associations do they belong to?

A good orthopaedist should be willing to answer all these questions and more. Some of this information can be found officially on the Internet and, if the doctor was trained in the UK, their credentials can be checked out on the General Medical Council website.

The hip replacement surgery success rate in terms of alleviating pain and giving the patient more mobility is regarded as 95% and this figure applies to most countries in the world. The authenticity of the success rate of hip replacement surgery at a specific medical establishment abroad may be difficult to ascertain as many countries do not hold official statistics for specific medical procedure success rates.

Different Types of Hip Replacement

There are numerous types of hip replacement protheses as well as different types of hip replacement procedures. Essentially, the decision about the best type of hip replacement surgery for each patient will have to be made by the surgeon, but armed with some information, a patient may be able to question or ask why a certain procedure is being used.

Let’s briefly look firstly at the different types of hip replacement procedures. Firstly, there is the question of whether the surgery should be done in the traditional way with a long incision of between 6”-12” (approx 15-30 cms) or as minimally invasive hip replacement where the incision or incisions are often only 4”-6” (10-15 cms). From an aesthetic point of view, the minimally invasive hip replacement procedure would seem the better option, however, it is much more technically demanding for the surgeon and it is much more difficult for them to see the ‘whole picture’. Sometimes the complexity of the necessary surgery means that traditional methods with a long incision must be used.

The next decision is from which direction the surgeon will choose to conduct the surgery. Generally, a surgeon can perform hip replacement surgery from the back (posterior hip replacement), side (lateral hip replacement) or front (anterior hip replacement) of the hip. Short-term, the anterior hip replacement procedure is less painful than the other types of hip replacement surgery and usually means a quicker return to mobility and strength. The long-term outcomes are very good and similar to the other approaches. It is, however, technically much more difficult for the surgeon and special training is required. In both the USA and the UK the most common form of surgery is still the posterior hip replacement.

There are numerous types of hip replacement protheses as well as different types of hip replacement procedures.

The next decision concerns the hip replacement materials. In many cases, surgeons use a metal-on-plastic prosthesis. This provides good strength with flexibility and is regarded as the best hip replacement in the majority of cases. Some years ago, a metal on metal hip replacement was commonly used, however these are very seldom used nowadays due to the fear of metallosis (a build-up of metal debris in the body’s soft tissues) and their lower than expected lifespan. A hip replacement prosthesis of ceramic-on-plastic or ceramic only is also available although this type tends to be used for younger, active patients.

Different types of hip replacement joints also include cemented or non-cemented. Cemented, as the name implies is where the hip replacement prosthesis is cemented in. With the non-cemented procedure, on the other hand, the prosthesis eventually ‘grows’ into the bone.

Worldwide, there are many producers of hip replacement prostheses. The four biggest manufacturers are Stryker, DePuty Synthes, Zimmer Biomet and Smith & Nephew. Statistics for success rates and problems for these hip replacements as well as for many other manufacturers can be found on the Internet. Most clinics/surgeons will have a favourite manufacturer that they use, particularly as the procedure for each prosthesis can be slightly different, however their priority will always be the best option for the patient.

Ultimately, the final decision on all the above must rest with the surgeon who is performing the operation, however reputable surgeons will be willing to discuss the options with the patient and advise why they believe a certain product/procedure would be advantageous.

Great Post-Operative Care

Post operative care after a hip replacement is essential for the ultimately successful recovery of the patient. In usual circumstances, the length of hospital stay for hip replacement surgery is about 3 days, however most patients will need to stay in the country for up to 14 days. Each clinic is different, however they will either offer accommodation for the full 14 days or offer nearby hotel accommodation. The stay in the hospital will certainly be included in the cost of the surgery, however the possible subsequent stay in a hotel may or may not be included. Reputable clinics overseas offer excellent post operative hip replacement care.

This total hip replacement post operative care will begin in hospital where the patient will be encouraged to start moving around (without putting weight on the hip) as soon as possible in order to avoid post-surgery complications such as blood clots/DVT.

The success of the surgery, however, also depends on the physiotherapy after the operation. Lack of exercise will mean more complications and pain and ultimately less mobility in the hip joint. Good overseas clinics/hospitals offer full post operative care for total hip replacement including a comprehensive physiotherapy package, stitch removal and a series of checks to ascertain that the recovery is progressing as expected without any problems.

Modern Clinics and English Speaking Staff

The staff of any clinic/hospital advertising their services to English speaking countries will have a very good command of the English language. Many of the doctors will have worked in other countries including Britain and, with English being the unofficial ‘world business language’, professionals in most countries are expected to be English speaking. Generally, communication should never be a problem.

Rather as in the UK, private clinics/hospitals cannot really be compared with those belonging to the country’s national health service. Some of these hospitals/clinics, although obviously available as a private medical facility for the nationals of the country, actually treat more overseas patients than they do from their own country. These establishments, often in newly built premises, offer some of the newest technology in a well-appointed setting with helpful staff offering excellent customer service.  With well-trained English speaking doctors, nurses and other staff and modern well-equipped premises, it may even be difficult to forget that you are not in the UK.

Most European private clinics offer well-trained English speaking doctors.

Best Location Abroad for Hip Replacement Surgery

One marker used as a prediction of the success rate of hip replacement surgery is connected with how frequently the surgery is performed – the following table gives the number of hip replacement operations performed in various European countries per 100,000 of population:

In some of these countries, particularly the top three – Germany, Switzerland and Austria the cost of private hip replacement surgery is even higher than in the UK.

When considering the best location for medical treatment abroad, especially hip replacement surgery, it is also worth considering the following points:

• Most clinics/hospitals will expect the patient to stay in the country for up to 14 days.
• There is slightly increased risk of DVT when flying after surgery, particularly on flights of over 4 hours.
• Flight tickets are almost always an additional cost.
• The frequency of fights to the destination and their availability from an airport close to home are major factors.

Considering these important points, it seems that, generally, European countries are the best choice for hip replacement treatment abroad. As cost is the prime attraction to getting medical treatment abroad, central and eastern European countries, with their low cost of living but high levels of private medical care, represent the best locations.

With the advent of budget flights provided by airlines such as Ryanair, WizzAir and EasyJet among others, many European fares have become very affordable. These airlines also often operate from/to the UK provincial airports which means a shorter journey to the local airport.

Up until Brexit, it was possible to have NHS treatment abroad which was at least partly, if not wholly, refunded by the NHS. This scheme, however, is no longer possible for residents of the UK. Having said that, residents of Ireland, who are eligible for the services of HSE, may be able to reclaim the cost. Please check the HSE website.

Hip Replacement Surgery in Poland

Medical tourism in Poland is becoming increasingly popular and, although the Covid-19 pandemic with its travel restrictions has reduced the number of patients travelling for medical treatment in Poland, this is expected to change rapidly as freedom of movement between countries is being reinstated. In terms of medical tourism, Poland is among one of the top destinations. In addition to the lower prices for treatment in Poland, the country has earned its reputation through the high quality of the services provided and the professionalism of the medical staff. All medical service providers in Poland come under the Polish Ministry of Health, which ensures good levels of general medical practice as well as the maintenance of standards of hygiene and patient care.

Poland is among one of the top destinations for hip replacement surgery.

Even with possible additional costs like flights the cost of hip replacement surgery in Poland is about half the price of equivalent private surgery in the UK. Medical costs for a hip replacement start at about £4500. In Poland, surgery is cheap because the country has such a low cost of living. The price does not reflect any inferiority in the services of the hospital/clinic or skills of the medical staff. Some of these hospitals/clinics have the best surgeons in Poland.

Leaving the cost aside for hip replacement, Poland has lots of advantages for medical tourists from the UK. There is an abundance of good value flights from almost every UK airport to the main centres in Poland of Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk and many others. The flight time from London to Warsaw is about 2½ hours with other routes taking up to around 3 hours.

When it comes to global medical tourism, Poland is an important destination. English is widely spoken in the medical centres and throughout the country and all medical staff are educated to the highest level in Polish medical schools. Some of the top surgeons in Poland have spent some time working in the UK health service. Our consultants will be happy to advise you on the best clinics/hospitals in Poland for hip replacement surgery.

Hip Replacement Surgery in Turkey

Turkey is another country which has become very popular for medical treatment abroad. About one-third of the patients treated in Turkish hospitals are from other countries. As in Poland, all reputable hospitals/clinics are well-equipped with the latest high-tech medical equipment. All the staff in the medical establishments speak good English.

In Turkey, surgery is much cheaper than in the UK. Hip replacement surgery starts at about £6,500 plus extras. Like Poland, these excellent prices are due to a low cost of living, not a low standard of care. The flying time to Turkey is about four hours, with some good fares available on charter airlines to the Mediterranean and Aegean resort destinations.

The question asked by many people is – Is it safe to travel to Turkey for a hip replacement? Medically speaking, Turkey prides itself on its reputation as a centre for medical tourism. In order to compete in this market the professionally trained medical staff strive to maintain a high level of service. Turkey actually has the highest number of US-accredited hospitals, with many of the doctors having trained in the US or Europe.

In Turkey, hip replacement surgery is much cheaper than in the UK.

Generally, though, is Turkey safe? There are many medical tourism companies in Turkey, who advertise their services on the Internet. It is important to ensure that these companies and the facilities they advertise are genuine. As with any foreign medical centre, it is wise to book Turkish medical facilities through a reputable booking agent to ensure that the hospital/clinic is genuine. Our sales consultants can help you decide if Turkey is the best place for your hip replacement surgery.

Hip Replacement Reviews

As with any major surgery, it is sensible to find out as much as possible about the procedure and recovery before embarking on the process. It also means that you can talk more intelligently with the surgeon and ask pertinent questions. There are many hip replacement reviews, as well as hip replacement images, available on the Internet. A hip replacement forum is always a good place to start, as the contributors are often people who have been through the surgery themselves and have first hand knowledge of some of the problems. patient.info and bonesmart.org have good forums. Hip replacement surgery pictures are also available on Google.

Summary

A hip replacement is often the only solution for those patients in excessive pain from osteoarthritis in the hip joint. The Covid pandemic has placed a huge strain on many national health services, with the result that the waiting lists for elective surgery like hip replacements are exceptionally long. The only way to reduce this excessive waiting time is to consider private treatment which, without private medical insurance, will cost around £12,000 depending on the UK area.

Prices for private treatment abroad can reduce the costs considerably, being up to 50% cheaper in some very reputable countries. Due to the increase in the risk of blood clots after major surgery, like a hip replacement, it is best to keep the flight time short and some countries in Europe offer good value surgery. Both Poland and Turkey make excellent choices with their well-appointed modern hospitals/clinics and well-trained surgeons. Our sales consultants will be happy to advise you on the best choice for your hip replacement.

Our sales consultants will be happy to advise you on the best choice for your hip replacement.