
Arthritis is generally a condition that causes joint inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. It typically affects any joint in the body, but the hands, knees, hips, ankles, feet, shoulders, and lower back are the most affected. It can affect any joint in the body but is most common in the hands, knees, hips, feet, ankles, shoulders, and lower back.
There are different types of arthritis:
The importance of timely treatment can be beneficial by the following:
Causes
Risk Factors
The medical treatment of arthritis in India adapts the latest research and technologies to meet worldwide clinical standards and healthcare capabilities.
Here are a few steps to help prevent arthritis or slow its progression.
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint stress.
Regular exercise to strengthen muscles and improve joint flexibility.
Follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables.
Avoid repetitive joint movements that increase wear and tear.
Manage chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
The medical treatment for arthritis requires evaluating joint pain, improving joint function, and slowing disease. The treatment approaches consist of the following elements:
Arthroscopy: Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique that reduces the surfaces of joints and removes bone spurs and damaged cartilage to cure arthritis. It improves movement by lowering stiffness, discomfort, and oedema. The process is more successful for mild to moderate arthritis than severe cases requiring joint replacement, although it offers quicker healing, less scarring, and shorter hospital stays.
Osteotomy: To redistribute weight and lessen joint stress, osteotomy is performed for arthritis, which entails cutting and reshaping bones. It is mainly used to help younger patients with hip and knee arthritis and delayed joint replacement surgery. Although this technique maintains the native joint, increases mobility, and lessens pain, recovery with physiotherapy may take many months.
Cost Start From USD 3500 - USD 4500Explore Options
Knee Replacement: It is performed when arthritis significantly impairs the knee joint, causes restricted movement and limits mobility. This involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with artificial implants to restore the function. It effectively reduces pain and improves movement, especially in osteoarthritis patients.
Cost Start From USD 5500 - USD 6500Explore Options
Shoulder Replacement: This is performed when there is severe arthritis in the shoulder joint, where cartilage loss causes pain and stiffness. A prosthetic implant replaces the injured joint to improve mobility and lessen pain. It benefits people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in their shoulders.
Cost Start From USD 7000 - USD 9000Explore Options
Hip Replacement is a standard procedure for advanced arthritis when pain and joint damage substantially impact day-to-day activities. An artificial implant replaces the injured hip joint, enhancing mobility and minimising discomfort. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or hip osteoarthritis, this procedure effectively improves their quality of life and mobility.
Cost Start From USD 5000 - USD 6000Explore Options
Diagnosis of arthritis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging tests, and laboratory tests to analyse joint health and identify the type of arthritis. The key diagnostic methods include:
MediRehab (chain of Rehab centres - part of MediGence provides comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to support arthritis patients in India. These services include:









Mumbai, India
Fortis Hospital Mulund, located in Mulund West, Mumbai, is a premier healthcare facility providing excellence in multi-speciality healthcare for over 20 years. The global leader in advancing medical technology and clinical expertise, the hospital offers specialities including Cardiology, Neurosciences, Oncology, Transplants, and Orthopaedics. The hospital is well-known for being the largest transplant center in Maharashtra and offers advanced treatment options, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and stereotactic precision radiotherapy for cancer. Fortis Mulund is equipped with a 24/7 Emergency Department and International Patient Unit to provide world-class patient-centric care.

Gurgaon, India
Fortis Healthcare Limited stands as one of India's largest integrated healthcare providers, managing 33 hospitals across 11 states and operating more than 5,700 beds and 400 diagnostic labs. Four of our hospitals are accredited by JCI and 26 by NABH. With a workforce of over 12,500 healthcare professionals, we combine clinical excellence, a patient-focused approach, and innovation to provide high-quality, affordable, and compassionate healthcare to patients in India.

Delhi, India
Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, is a 250-bed tertiary care hospital awarded NABH accreditation, which provides advanced medical care in various specialities such as Cardiac Sciences, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Urology, Kidney Transplant, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. The hospital provides quality, safe, integrated, and patient-centric medical care using modular OTs, ICUs, Cath Labs, CT, MRI and Dialysis units.
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Indian hospital provides world-class arthritis treatment with highly skilled doctors, modern medical technology, and affordable healthcare costs. Most prominent hospitals offer minimally invasive surgeries, joint replacements, and biologic therapies at a fraction of the cost compared to Western nations. Additionally, India has medical tourism services that guarantee treatment for international patients with visas, accommodation, and language support.
No, treating arthritis does not necessarily include surgery. Medication, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and complementary therapies are frequently effective ways to manage mild to moderate arthritis. When severe pain and joint dysfunction cannot be relieved by conventional treatments, surgery, such as joint replacement, is usually considered.
Recovery time generally varies based on the type of surgery and the patient’s overall health.
In Knee replacement, most patients regain their independence in 6 weeks, and walking with support begins in 24 to 48 hours. A full recovery could take 3 to 6 months.
In the case of Hip Replacement, most patients may walk independently in 6 weeks, and walking with support starts in 24 to 48 hours. It takes roughly three months to recover fully.
There are various Side effects from medications that can cause cardiovascular risks, kidney problems, or gastrointestinal problems. Although there are a few potential risks associated with physical treatment, it might cause short-term pain. Risks related to surgery include blood clots and infections.
In India, 15% of the population suffers from arthritis. The three most prevalent categories are gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects people over 50, although it can sometimes strike younger persons, particularly women. Several factors, including sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and age, cause the increase in instances.
Clinical examination, blood tests (such as RA factor and CRP), and imaging methods (such as MRI, ultrasound, and X-rays) can all help diagnose arthritis early in India. Particularly in larger cities, many hospitals and diagnostic facilities provide arthritis screening. Early diagnosis improves quality of life, slows disease course, and facilitates better care.
The treatment cost of arthritis in India varies based on the severity, type of treatment, and hospital.
A large number of Indian institutions offer medical tourism services to foreigners. In addition to providing top-notch medical care at reasonable costs, they also help with visas, housing, language support, and post-treatment care.
Yes, Indian hospitals are equipped with modern technology for treating arthritis. Most leading hospitals in India have modern diagnostic tools, such as MRI, X-rays, and ultrasound, for precise joint evaluation.
Treatment includes modern therapies such as stem cell treatment, PRP injections, and minimally invasive surgeries such as knee and hip replacement.
Before selecting hospitals in India, always look for the following:
Losing weight can help with arthritis symptoms, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. It reduces the stress on those joints, removes pain or discomfort, improves mobility, and slows the disease's progression.
Yes, arthritis can severely affect the quality of life due to chronic pain, loss of mobility, and the inability to perform everyday activities. It may decrease physical activity, affecting independence and mental well-being. Proper therapy and management can improve function while minimising the impact on daily life.
Yes, severe long-term problems can result from untreated arthritis. Some examples are joint abnormalities, persistent pain, and decreased mobility due to gradual joint deterioration. Furthermore, osteoporosis, heart disease, lung problems, and even mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can all be made more likely by arthritis.

Orthopaedic Surgeon
25 Years of Experience
Known among his patients for treating with compassion and personal care, Dr. Puneet Mishra is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in New Delhi. Dr. Puneet completed his MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College in 1996 and from the same college he completed his MS (orthopedics) in 2000. With almost 25+ years of surgical experience under him, Dr. Pankaj takes pride in working with some of the finest medical institutions of the world such as University Hospital, Bern, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, Endoklinik, Germany, and Professor and Consultant orthopedician at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi. View More
Last Reviewed - January 2026