Knee Replacement Surgery in Mexico

Procedure, Cost and Advantages

According to MedicalNewsToday, “Knee surgery can help ease pain from an injury, such as torn cartilage or a torn ligament. Surgery can also treat other conditions in the joint, such as osteoarthritis.”

A knee replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, helps relieve pain and bring back function in badly diseased knee joints.

Many International patients travel to Mexico to get their knee replacement. It’s a popular destination for people who’s health insurance doesn’t cover this type of surgery. The main reason why patients get this surgery is to alleviate severe pain caused by osteoarthritis. People who are candidates for this procedure usually experience difficulty doing simple physical activities like walking and climbing stairs, they also face swelling and resting pain.

Depending on the extent of their problem candidates are recommended a partial or total knee replacement.

Patients who undergo knee replacement surgery experience pain relief, improved mobility and a better quality of life. In addition, the knee implants used will usually last around 15-20 years in the majority of cases.

Knee Replacement Procedure

The procedure for a knee replacement surgery involves exchanging those portions of the knee joint which carry weight with an artificial joint.

If only one side of the knee is damaged, only a partial knee replacement will be needed. This operation is simpler and involves a shorter hospital stay and recovery period.

It’s important that the patient talks to their surgeon about the type of surgery they intend to use and why it’s the best option for the patient.

The knee replacement surgery involves the following steps:

STEP 1:

The patient will be anesthetized or only their knee will be numbed.

STEP 2:

The damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the knee.

STEP 3:

The removed bone and cartilage is replaced with metal implants.

STEP 4:

A plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth surface.

The knee replacement surgery lasts between 1 to 3 hours. It’s important to note that immediately after the procedure the patient will experience some pain, stiffness, bruising and swelling to which their doctor will prescribe medications to help them manage their discomfort.

In addition the patient will remain in the hospital for a few days and the medical team will work with them to help them regain their mobility.

The following is a patient testimonial of the experience they had with knee replacement surgery in Mexico.

"I will be returning in March to have the other knee replaced and look forward to a repeat of the same experience and success. I would not hesitate to recommend you and your service to anyone..."

Advantages of Knee Replacement Surgery

The main benefit of the knee replacement surgery is pain relief. The surgery will alleviate the disabling knee pain the patient experiences when walking, standing or running.

The cost of a partial knee replacement in Mexico is between $7,000- $15,8000, a full knee replacement is around $17,500 - $22,500

Another important benefit is the improvement of mobility, it will help the patient perform everyday activities that can be otherwise difficult without a knee replacement surgery. Other benefits include a greater balance and a long lasting prosthesis (between 15-20 years).

Cost of Knee Replacement Surgery in Mexico

The average cost of knee replacement surgery in the United States and Canada is around $50,000. While in Mexico it’s possible to save up to 75%-80% compared to these other two countries.

The cost of a partial knee replacement in Mexico is between $7,000- $15,8000, a full knee replacement is around $17,500 - $22,500

It’s important to emphasize that although Mexico has more affordable prices it doesn’t mean that the level of safety, treatment or quality of the medical services are low.

Mexico has affordable clinics and hospitals for these types of surgeries due to factors such as:

Lower surgeon and staff fees in Mexico than in the United States and Canada.
Less administrative and other paperwork requirements.
Malpractice insurance costs.
Excellent follow up and after-care at a lower cost.

It’s important to consider that choosing the right surgeon and medical facility choosing the right surgeon and medical facility plays a big role in the outcome of the knee replacement procedure and guarantees a professional and safe experience. The patient should inform themselves before choosing the facility and surgeon by searching for surgeon and clinic reviews and contacting them about knee replacement surgery.

Most visited cities for knee replacement surgery in Mexico

There are many cities in Mexico where patients can go through with knee replacement surgery. Some of the most visited cities by knee replacement patients in Mexico are the following:

Cancun: patients can spend a few days recovering in this beautiful and sunny city near the coast.
Tijuana: this is a great option in terms of access and proximity. In addition, it’s very easy to get to San Diego.
Ciudad Juarez: This is the most famous and iconic border city in Mexico, it shares a border with its sister city El Paso, Texas. It offers all tourists from Texas and New Mexico access to qualified and experienced medical surgeons.

Top Medical Facilities for Knee Replacement in Mexico

Mexico has many high quality hospitals and clinics that get many patients from abroad. Therefore, they have experience with meeting the needs of these patients. The following is a list of top medical facilities in Mexico that deal with knee replacement surgery.

Hospital del Carmen

Tijuana

This hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and they provide expert care in different fields, such as orthopedics.

Galenia Hospital

Cancun

This hospital is accredited by Joint Commission International and Accreditation Canada International. In addition, they have a separate department for international patients and most of their doctors are board-certified.

Hospital Angeles

Ciudad Juarez

This hospital has board certified doctors and world class facilities. In addition, they offer travel coordination services.

The best medical facilities for knee replacement surgery in Mexico are located in cities that attract many international visitors. Thus, they are used to treating international patients on a regular basis. In addition, the majority of their staff is bilingual, in other words, language barriers are not a problem.

Care for Knee Replacement Surgery

The patient will remain in the hospital for a few days; it’s crucial that the patient starts moving as soon as possible, the use of their new knee is a critical part for recovery. Here are some suggestions for the care of the patient's knee that they are recommended to follow:

Following the specific exercises recommended by the doctor.
Avoiding at all costs supporting the knee with a pillow when sleeping.
Not kneeling on the replaced knee until the patient’s surgeons gives them the green light
Avoiding activities that overexert the knee , such as biking or skiing.

Many patients fully recover after 4-8 weeks and are able to freely go back to doing most physical activities. Nevertheless, the patient’s recovery depends on the physiotherapy that follows their knee replacement surgery.

FAQS

Should the patient’s house be organized in a certain way?

The patient’s home should be clear of obstructions. In addition the patient must avoid climbing stairs at all costs.
When is it possible to shower?

If there is no drainage from the incision the patient can shower three days after the surgery without protection. If there is drainage, the knee must be kept dry.
When are the stitches removed?

Staples and non-solvable stitches need to be removed after 2 weeks. Dissolvable stitches will fall off on their own.
Is there an age limit for knee replacement surgery?

Age is not a factor as long as the patient has a reasonably healthy lifestyle.