Bilateral Knee Replacement Surgery in Thailand

Knee replacement also termed as arthroplasty is a surgical procedure performed to resurface the damaged knee joint, which is associated with severe progressive pain and impaired function. The damaged portion of the knee joint is replaced with ceramic, plastic or metal parts known as implants. This surgical procedure is mostly recommended for people who are suffering from severe arthritis or had a severe knee injury.

Knee replacement surgery in Thailand

With the booming medical tourism industry, Thailand has become one of the most preferred medical tourism destinations. People from across the globe come to Thailand because of the world-class facilities available in the hospitals including the latest machines, some of the most skilled surgeons and the stringent government policies concerning patient care. The key reason why Thailand has become one of the most searched out destinations is that of the precise blend of quality and cost. Apart from this, the other imperative factor is the presence of an interdisciplinary team of doctors and advanced rehabilitation centers which provide personalized care to each patient.

Cost Comparison

The cost of knee replacement in Thailand and the quality of treatment provided are at par with some of the most popular medical tourism destinations like Germany, Singapore, Turkey, and Hungary. Knee replacement surgery cost in Thailand including the travel, accommodation, and sight-seeing comes to even less than one-sixth when compared with the treatment cost in US or UK.

Treatment and Cost

Total Days
In Country

2 No. Travelers

5 Day in Hospital

10 Days Outside Hospital

Treatment cost starts from

USD 16050

Cost Trends Cost Estimate

About the Total Knee Replacement B/L

The knee plays an important role in mobility. However, this joint may get damaged or diseased over a period of time because of an injury or conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and so on.
The damage to the knee joint may lead to terrible pain and immobility. A knee replacement surgery is advised when the pain and mobility are not improved despite continuous use of medications and physical exercises.
A bilateral knee replacement surgery is performed when both the knees are damaged to diseased. If only one knee is affected, then the knee replacement surgeon recommends the patient to undergo replacement of just one knee, a procedure known as unilateral knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, knee deformity, vascular necrosis, and swelling and inflammation of the cartilage surrounding the knee are some of the indications for unilateral and bilateral knee replacement surgery.
A knee replacement surgeon may decide to conduct a total knee replacement surgery or a partial knee replacement surgery, depending on the extent of damage. A minimally invasive surgery can also be conducted with the help of an arthroscope. This type of surgery allows for minimal healing time, quick knee replacement recovery time, and fewer complications.

How is Total Knee Replacement B/L performed?

Surgical Process of Knee Replacement:
A bilateral knee replacement surgery is sometimes performed on both the knees in a single surgery or the surgeon may decide to operate on them individually in separate surgeries. The former case is preferred when the patient is young and the overall health is normal and maintained. In the latter case, there could be a gap of a few hours or a few days between the two surgeries.
Anaesthesia Administration:

During bilateral knee replacement surgery, you will be given general or spinal anesthesia to make you unconscious or induce numbness. The knee is cut open (in case of open surgery) and a small incision is made in case of minimally invasive surgery.
Type of Knee Implants
The surgeon removes the kneecap and then the damaged or diseased parts of the knee are removed. These are replaced with a metal, plastic, or ceramic implants (as chosen by the surgeon, depending on the requirement). The implants are fixed using cemented or cementless fixation. The incision is closed with the help of stitches.
Duration of the Surgery
Bilateral knee replacement surgery lasts anywhere between one to three hours (is a single knee is replaced) or four to five hours (if both are replaced during the same surgery). Once the surgery is over, you are transferred to the recovery room for a few hours.

Recovery from Total Knee Replacement B/L

Bilateral knee replacement surgery is a major procedure and therefore, recovery may take time. You are likely to experience pain for the initial few weeks. However, it goes away gradually as you start performing physical exercises recommended by the doctor.

You should keep your wound dry and clean to prevent infection after the surgery. In addition, you should elevate your leg often for reduced pain. Talk to your surgeon if you experience redness, swelling, or inflammation around the knee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health care infrastructure of Thailand / Why should opt for Thailand as a destination for your medical treatment

Hospitals in Thailand have seen an increase in number in the past few years. One of the many reasons for such surprise growth in the healthcare division can be the development of the public health sector which comprises 9,765 health locations along with 1,002 hospitals. As the Public Hospitals in Thailand are operated by the MOPH (Ministry of Public Health), the Private Hospitals in Thailand are regulated under the Medical Registration Division. The treatments in Thailand are also keeping up with that of other major countries all across the globe. As of 2002, the Thai Government has provided a countrywide general healthcare system that covers 99.5% of the Thai population and ensures high-quality treatments in Thailand and affordable primary medical amenities to each and every citizen of Thailand. In the year 2009, the total national expenditure on healthcare was 4.3% of the GDP of Thailand. Due to such medical advancements in Thailand, the country has become the most preferred medical destination in the world providing wide-ranging medical treatments at highly-reasonable rates at good hospitals in Thailand.

What are the conditions of the hospitals in Thailand? Are they JCI certified? What is the quality of the support staff in the hospitals?

The Joint Commission International (JCI) is a global leader in health care accreditation. JCI accreditation is considered a gold standard in worldwide health care. It provides the most skilled and experienced healthcare professionals in the medical industry, as evaluators of the rigorous international standards in healthcare quality and patient safety. Here are a few JCI certified hospitals in Thailand :

Yanhee Hospital
Bumrungrad Hospital
Bangkok Hospital
Chaophya Hospital
BNH Hospital
Ramkhamhaeng Hospital
Vejthani Hospital
Bangkok Hospital Phuket
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital
Praram 9 Hospital
Chiangmai Ram Hospital
Sikarin Hospital
Synphaet Hospital
Bangkok Hospital Samui
Nonthavej Hospital
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital
Samitivej Sriracha Hospital

Are the doctors/surgeons in Thailand of the best quality?

Thailand is gaining recognition for the quality of its healthcare services after the US magazine CEOWORLD placed Thailand 6th in its 2019 list of countries with the best healthcare systems. Thai doctors gain a lot of skills during their course and this helps them practice effectively. Many doctors and surgeons also visit other countries for training and certification courses to enhance their skills and knowledge. Most doctors are exposed to a public and private healthcare system in order to be able to work in any condition. It is a collective effort from all the professionals to maintain the standard of health and Thailand is doing just that.

What is the process for obtaining a medical visa in Thailand?

Currently, medical tourists To Thailand are allowed in from 34 countries. All visitors must have proof of travel health insurance that covers a minimum of US$100,000 of medical costs incurred in Thailand, including medical costs in the event that they contract COVID-19. Under the CCSA regulations, medical tourists have to arrive by air to ensure effective disease control, not via land border checkpoints. All must have an appointment letter from a doctor in Thailand and entry certificates issued by Thai embassies across the globe. People wanting to visit Thailand for medical procedures need to contact the Thai Embassy in their country to organize the visa and paperwork. Thailand’s major hospitals will provide potential candidates with an appointment letter. Permission for medical tourists to be accompanied by up to three attending persons is intended to allow such patients to have spouses, parents, or assistants in attendance during their treatment in Thailand. However, such persons will have to conform to all the same entry requirements as the medical tourists themselves, including visas and health status.

What support services does MediGence provide in Thailand?

MediGence enables you to plan and manage your medical decisions better. These are some of our services offered:

Expert Opinion
We help you seek an Expert Opinion on your diagnosis and treatment from an experienced team of doctors at MediGence and specialists from a reputable hospital.
Hospital Recommendation
We recommend a hospital or a healthcare institution that is best suited for you, based on your ailment and its criticality.
360-degree Hospital Review
We give you a transparent and holistic view of the hospital and its infrastructure, accreditation, facilities, and expertise to give you confidence.
Doctor Validation and Communication
We share a comprehensive profile of the treating doctor and also arrange a call to clear queries regarding treatment if needed.
Options to Choose From
Based on your choice of destination and other preferences, we provide you multiple options with respect to hospitals and doctors to choose from.
24X7 Patient Care Support
A dedicated patient case manager stays in constant touch with you to help you at every step of the decision-making process and resolve queries that you may have.
Transparent Treatment Cost and Other Expenses
We give a clear and accurate indication of the total cost of treatment including treatment, stay, meals, and other expenses.
Visa Assistance
We provide and help prepare documentation for visa approval and coordinate with the embassy to expedite the visa process.
Accommodation Arrangements
We propose to you a choice of accommodation based on your preference such as long stay, short stay, or luxury properties.

Which are the best cities in Thailand for medical treatment?

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the most sought - after destination for healthcare. It has more than 10 of the major hospitals in Thailand. The cost of treatment in Thailand is reasonable here. People tend to spend their recovery time in Bangkok as well as it is a beautiful city to visit as a tourist.