About Knee Replacement
Key Highlights
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Significant and long-lasting relief from chronic knee pain.Restoration of knee function, mobility, and alignment.Improved ability to perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and standing.High success rate with modern implants lasting 15-20 years or more.Minimally invasive techniques can lead to smaller incisions and faster recovery.Can correct severe deformities like bowlegs or knock-knees./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) causing debilitating pain.
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis damaging the joint.
- Post-traumatic arthritis following a serious knee injury or fracture.
- Persistent knee pain that does not improve with conservative treatments (medication, injections, physical therapy).
- Significant stiffness, swelling, and deformity that limits daily function.
- Inability to sleep through the night due to knee pain.
How to prepare
- Complete a thorough medical evaluation, including blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray.
- Discuss all current medications with your surgeon; you may need to stop certain blood thinners.
- Begin pre-operative exercises (prehab) to strengthen surrounding muscles.
- Arrange for help at home for the first few weeks after surgery.
- Prepare your living space (e.g., clear walkways, install safety rails, set up a recovery area).
- Follow fasting instructions (typically no food or drink after midnight before surgery).
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site or in the joint.
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in the leg veins.
- Implant-related issues such as loosening, wear, or dislocation.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage near the surgical area.
- Stiffness or persistent pain in the knee.
- Allergic reaction to the implant materials (rare).
- Need for revision surgery in the future.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay typically involves pain management, starting physical therapy, and learning to walk with assistance.
- Weight-bearing as tolerated with a walker or crutches, progressing to a cane.
- Commitment to daily physical therapy exercises is crucial to regain strength and range of motion.
- Wound care: keeping the incision clean and dry, watching for signs of infection.
- Managing swelling with ice, compression, and elevation.
- Gradual return to light activities over weeks, with full recovery and strength building taking several months.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and progress.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-5 days
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Expected recovery time: 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering knee replacement in South Korea, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in South Korea with orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform knee replacement. MediFyr helps you compare orthopedists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for knee replacement compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | USD 3,402 – USD 8,505 | 3-5 days | ~ 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina | Know More |
| Thailand | USD 3,456 – USD 10,080 | 3-5 days | ~ 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina | Know More |
| South Korea | USD 3,456 – USD 10,080 | 3-5 days | ~ 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina | Know More |
| India | USD 1,964 – USD 4,910 | 3-5 days | ~ 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 14,511 – USD 36,278 | 3-5 days | ~ 6 weeks to 3 months for basic activities; 6-12 months for full strength and stamina | Know More |
Had my gallbladder out at MGM....
Had my gallbladder out at MGM. Dr. Vinod was really clear about what to expect after. The first couple days were rough, I won't lie, but his team had a good plan for the pain that actually worked. Follow-up was simple, he just told me to take it easy and call if anything felt off. Felt normal again quicker than I thought.