Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common orthopedic operations in the world. It improves the life of a person, those suffering from knee joint problems. According to a survey, 37 people out of 1000 in Pakistan are suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis causes pain, discomfort during movement, and difficulty in carrying out daily activities. This results in impairment of the knee. Knee replacement surgery is a great option to get rid of this situation. If you are wondering about the cost of a knee replacement in Pakistan, then this blog is very beneficial for you. In this blog, we will discuss about knee transplant surgery cost in Pakistan and the factors that affect the cost of knee replacement surgery.
What is Knee Transplant Surgery?
If a person’s knee bone is damaged due to injuries and an older age problem, then doctors use knee replacement surgery to treat it. A knee transplant is a surgical process in which the injured and damaged part of the knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint. This artificial joint is made up of steel, ceramic, metal, or plastic. Surgery mainly helps to eliminate constant pain and restore the knee’s functionality. A knee transplant is the best option for patients with arthritis and other joint problems.
Cost of a Knee Transplant Surgery in Pakistan
The cost of a knee transplant surgery in Pakistan is around 4,00,000 PKR – 5,80,000 PKR($1,299 to $1,999). This cost includes the surgery cost, bed cost, diagnosis, and other costs. While the cost of surgery varies in Pakistan and depends on many factors, such as the doctor’s charge, package plan, and cost of materials used in surgery.
Cost Breakdown of Knee Replacement in Pakistan
Here is the complete cost breakdown of knee replacement in Pakistan:
| Components | Cost(PKR) | Cost(USD) | Cost Details |
| Diagnosis Cost | 13,966 PKR to 15,000 PKR | 49.75 USD to 53.44 USD | Diagnosis costs include blood test, X-ray, MRI, and other checkups. |
| Medications Cost | 48,000 PKR to 58000 PKR | 111.00 USD to 206.63 USD | It includes post-discharge medications like pain meds and supplements. |
| Material Cost | 1,50,000 PKR to 1,78,000 PKR | 534.38 USD to 670.50 USD | Material cost varies depending on the type and quality of material. |
| Surgery Cost | 1,50,000 PKR to 2,00,000 PKR | 534.38 USD to 712.50 USD | It covers surgeon fees, theatre, and anesthesia costs. |
| Bed Cost | 20,000 PKR to 27,000 PKR | 71.25 USD to 96.19 USD | Include the Ward and nursing costs. |
| Post Surgery Cost | 16,000 PKR to 80,000 PKR | 35.63 USD to 285.00 USD | It covers physiotherapists and OPD visit costs. |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Knee Transplant
There are various factors that can affect the cost of knee replacement in Pakistan:
- Severity of Joint Damage: Severe joint damage that requires the replacement of both damaged surfaces of the knee is generally costlier than partial knee replacement.
- Location: The locations of hospitals play a major role in altering the total cost of knee replacement. Hospitals in big cities with good infrastructure, like Lahore & Islamabad, charge higher fees compared to those in semi-urban and rural areas.
- Hospitals’ Quality: Hospitals with better facilities cost more than other public hospitals.
- Experience of Surgeon: A highly trained and experienced orthopedic surgeon generally charges higher fees compared to a less experienced surgeon. These doctors are known for their expertise and high success rate.
- Type and Quality of Material Used: Different types of materials are used for the artificial joint, such as metal, ceramic, and plastics. These materials impact the overall cost of knee transplants. Advanced materials with longer listing results cost more than other materials.
- Surgical Techniques Used: A highly advanced technique with minimal invasive, which reduces tissue damage and pain of the patient. This technique may cost high compared to other surgical procedures.
Insurance Options and Subsidies Available for Knee Replacement
There are various insurance options available in Pakistan to cover the charges of knee replacement. Companies offer complete health plans that cover hospitalization costs, surgery fees, and other expenses. But these insurance plans have certain conditions for local as well as international patients. These terms include permission from the hospital and the percentage of coverage available for knee replacement.
Various welfare programs are also available in big cities like Lahore, which provide free surgical facilities for financially weak patients. Provincial programs such as national health care coverage and Zakat financing help lower-income people to pay the surgical costs. Several hospitals, such as Aga Khan, Suakatkhanum, and others, offer grants to patients for surgery.
Additional Cost for the Knee Replacement Surgery
Other than the total cost, there are also some additional too for the knee replacement surgery. These costs include:
- Long-term Physiotherapy: After surgery, if a patient needs long-term physiotherapy to recover. Then, some additional costs are required beyond the surgery.
- Diagnosis Test: Some diagnostic tests, like X-ray and other imaging tests, are required during your recovery process. These tests also add some additional expenses to your treatment.
- Drugs and Supplements: Medications given after the surgery to reduce the pain and infections also increase your expenses..
- Revision Surgery: If some complications arise after the surgery, then revision surgery is required for patients. This surgery is more costly and adds a large amount of additional cost. So it is necessary to take some precautions after the surgery.
Financial Tips to Manage Surgery Costs
An individual seeking the surgery needs to apply some management tips to manage the surgery cost:
- Research and Compare Hospitals: Prices of hospitals vary in different cities. Collect details information about the prices of top hospitals in that area. According to your analysis, choose the best hospitals according to your budget.
- Check about Packages: Inquire about the packages available in the hospitals that provide maximum coverage for your costs.
- Off-Season: Always choose the off-season for your surgery. In the off-season, fewer beds are occupied in the hospital. During this time, you will get a higher discount for your surgery.
- Health Insurance: Check for the availability of insurance in your case. So that it covers the maximum cost of your surgery.
Conclusion
Choosing a knee replacement surgery is the best option for patients suffering from knee joint issues. Pakistan provides a wide range of treatment plans at budget-friendly packages. Several factors affect the cost of the knee replacement option, such as location, type of hospital, and experience of the surgeon. However, various surgeries and subsidies are available for the surgery that can minimize your total surgery cost. I hope this blog helps you to understand the cost breakdown of the surgery and provides tips to manage costs.