Knee joint replacement is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures in Poland. The reason is, of course, the increasing number of people dealing with degenerative changes in the knee. Long waiting lists are also contributing to the growing interest in undergoing the procedure privately, at one’s own expense.
Let’s find out how much a knee joint replacement costs and see what factors have the greatest impact on the final price.
Modern Knee Pain Treatment – Minimally Invasive and Precise
Knee Joint Replacement it can be an effective solution in cases of chronic pain, limited mobility, or advanced degeneration. I use modern, minimally invasive surgical techniques (subvastus approach) that accelerate recovery and reduce postoperative pain. Implants are positioned according to the Kinematic Alignment philosophy – tailored to the individual anatomy and natural knee kinematics.
Procedure Benefits
- Minimally invasive subvastus approach – no muscle cutting, less postoperative pain, faster rehabilitation
- Surgery aligned with the patient’s natural anatomy – Kinematic Alignment technique
- Modern implants tailored to knee kinematics
- Possibility of use personalized endoprosthesis
- Possibility of simultaneous knee replacement on both knees
- Quick return to daily activities
How much does a knee joint replacement cost privately?
Knee joint replacement surgery privately is an increasingly popular choice that helps patients regain mobility and eliminate pain that hinders daily functioning. That is why more and more people are wondering how much a knee joint replacement costs.
The price for such a procedure ranges from 20,000 to even 40,000 PLN..
The final cost depends on several factors, which we will discuss in more detail later in this article. Therefore, it is essential to compare prices in different clinics while also considering the additional benefits you may receive.
For example, it is more cost-effective to choose a clinic that uses modern technology and offers the implantation of advanced prostheses that respect the knee joint’s kinematics . The advantages of such a solution include a quick return to mobility and a shorter rehabilitation time.
More important than choosing a specific clinic is, of course, the orthopedic doctor who works with that particular center, as they will ultimately perform the prosthesis implantation procedure. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to their experience, innovation and patient reviewsIt is therefore worth considering the ratio of additional benefits to the cost of the knee procedure.
What factors affect the cost of knee joint replacement surgery?
The cost of knee joint replacement surgery may vary depending on the clinic or specialist chosen. It is important to remember that the best option for the patient will be a specialist with many years of experience in their field. For years, there has also been a noticeable correlation between the price and the location where the procedure is performed. Often, slightly higher costs should be expected in large cities such as Warsaw or Krakow compared to smaller cities.
Let’s see what else affects the cost of a knee joint replacement:
- type of procedure – depending on the condition of the knee and the qualification made by the doctor, a unicompartmental or total knee replacement may be necessary, which also differ in price; total knee replacement is slightly more expensive.
- type of implant – one of the factors that affect the final price of knee joint replacement surgery is the material used for the implant, as well as the technological advancement and innovation of the specific endoprosthesis, and the range of options is quite extensive.
- additional services and consultations – before scheduling the surgery date, it is worth finding out what is included in the price; in some clinics, the costs may also include additional specialist consultations, pharmacotherapy, or even rehabilitation starting from the first days after surgery.
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Indications for knee joint replacement surgery
The most common reason for performing knee joint replacement surgery is degenerative changes in the knee joint, which lead to cartilage degeneration. If conservative treatments – such as pharmacotherapy, weight reduction, or rehabilitation – no longer yield the desired results, it means that surgery becomes necessary.
Let’s also take a look at other indications for knee replacement:
- rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases affecting the joints;
- injuries, e.g., intra-articular knee fractures;
- necrosis of the femoral or tibial bone;
- psoriatic arthritis;
- congenital or acquired knee axis deformities;
- incorrectly performed orthopedic procedures within the knee.
A specialist should decide on the necessity of the procedure based on the treatment history and after assessment through X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography.
It is also worth emphasizing that age does not determine whether a patient can undergo knee joint replacement surgery or not.
Knee Joint Replacement – contraindications
It should be emphasized that knee replacement surgery is safe and can be performed even in older patients; however, there are some contraindications that must be considered. These may temporarily or permanently exclude the possibility of surgery.
Let’s first look at the absolute contraindications for knee replacement:
- skin infection at the site where the procedure is to be performed;
- cancers with metastases or in the active phase of oncological treatment;
- end-stage kidney disease;
- severe circulatory failure, e.g., varicose veins, or respiratory failure;
- blood clotting disorders;
- advanced osteoporosis.
There are also several temporary contraindications to knee joint replacement surgery. Once they have been resolved, a date for the procedure can be set and performed.
Let’s take a look at the most common contraindications:
- an ongoing infection in the body;
- deterioration of the patient’s condition, which makes it impossible to undergo subsequent rehabilitation that is necessary for the joint to regain mobility;
- excessive obesity – mainly because it significantly increases the risk of complications after surgery and places excessive strain on the prosthesis;
- untreated and currently treated mental health disorders.
A significant contraindication for performing knee joint replacement surgery is also lack of the patient’s willingness and motivation for rehabilitationThis is a key step that affects the recovery process, so if the patient, for any reason, is unable to consistently carry out rehabilitation, the procedure should not be performed.
What does a knee joint replacement surgery look like?
During knee replacement surgery, a special implant is inserted to replace the damaged part of the knee joint. Performing a partial or total knee replacement eliminates mobility issues and often very painful discomfort. As a result, the patient can regain full joint function and improve their quality of life after the surgery.
There is a possibility of using during the procedure two types of knee prostheses – partial, i.e., unicompartmental, and total.
Unicompartmental prostheses are used when damage is present in one part of the knee. They are most commonly used in younger patients or those with less advanced degeneration.
Using this method can provide patients with numerous benefits, such as:
- the procedure itself is less invasive;
- shorter rehabilitation path;
- getting up and walking within 24 hours after the procedure;
- shorter hospital stay.
In some cases, the use of a total prosthesis is necessary, which means a complete replacement of all three components of the knee joint, i.e., the femoral, tibial, and patellar parts.
The main goal of the procedure is to implant the prosthesis in a way that maximally restores the alignment of the articular surfaces in the patient’s knee joint. A properly performed surgery and subsequent rehabilitation enable the patient to regain function at the level before the onset of degenerative changes.
Knee joint replacement – how long does the procedure take?
You now know how much a knee joint replacement costs and the most common indications for this procedure. Let’s now look at some practical matters you should know before the surgery.
Many patients wonder how long a knee replacement surgery lasts. The operation typically takes about 60 minutes. Before the procedure begins, the patient undergoes proper preparation, which concludes with the administration of anesthesia. During the surgery, the doctor removes all tissues affected by degeneration. Only after this is it possible to place the appropriate type of prosthesis within the knee joint.
A key issue is the prompt start of rehabilitation—first in the hospital, then at home or in a rehabilitation center. Without consistently performed exercises, achieving the desired results is impossible.
