Total Knee Replacement in the UK privately

Based on NHS data, knee replacement surgery in the UK is performed over 70,000 times each year as a treatment for knee damaged by arthritis, most commonly osteoarthritis. Despite being a routine and safe operation, it is a complex procedure which requires expert medical staff and a well-equipped facility. That is why the cost of knee replacement in the UK is quite demanding, thus in many cases might be refunded by the NHS. Usually, it is given to people who experience severe pain if no other non-surgical treatment like physiotherapy or steroid injections has been successful.

At the moment, after the COVID-19 hospital backlog in the UK, most of the so-called „no urgent” surgeries were cancelled – including knee replacement surgeries. People who were on the NHS waiting list have now two options – wait until they are offered another surgery date (which may happen in the unknown future), or book for the private surgery, to get back to the painless and active life.

Waiting time for knee replacement surgery UK

An important factor that must be taken into account when considering the cost of knee replacement in the UK is the waiting time. The maximum waiting time for knee replacement in the UK is assumed to be 18 weeks (the gap between seeing a GP and having an operation), as for planned non-urgent surgery. However, according to NHS statistics from 2018, from all patients that were on waiting lists based on Referral to Treatment (RTT) for different conditions, more than 12% had been waiting for more than 18 weeks which is 4% below the expected standard. On top of that, according to saga.co.uk, 2,236 of these patients were waiting more than 52 weeks for different types of surgery. Unfortunately, this is expected to get worse in the following years looking at a negative trend in the figure below.

Data from late 2020 are not available yet, as the situation is dynamic, however in May, the National Health Service advised hospitals to cancel most elective surgeries for 12 weeks. It is estimated that this will result in 516,000 cancelled surgeries (including orthopaedical surgeries, total knee replacements etc). And it was far before the lockdown in November 2020…

In May 2020 the CovidSurg Collaborative (from the University of Birmingham) predicted that COVID-19 disruption will lead to 28 million surgeries being cancelled worldwide. Orthopaedic procedures will be cancelled most frequently, with 6.3 million orthopaedic surgeries cancelled worldwide over 12 weeks.

Figure 1 Source: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/01/Combined-Performance-Summary-January-November-December-data-2018.pdf

What is the cost of a total knee replacement UK privately?

With constantly increasing waiting times for knee replacement in the UK and because of some patients have restricted access to this surgery, more and more people might want to consider choosing a private treatment. As suggested by the Medical Technology Group’s report regarding the waiting times for knee and hip replacement, “timely intervention removes pain and restores mobility while delay leads to worse patient outcomes”.

Patients who are struggling with pain are asking what is the cost of a private total knee replacement in the UK. Private knee replacement surgery in the UK usually oscillates around £11,400, however, it may go up to as much as £17,840 in some regions. For example, the East of England or the North East. The most common quote is £13,760-£14,489  and includes about 2-4 days in the hospital. This price does not cover the post-operational physiotherapy program. Additional costs also involve the diagnostics before the surgery and pre-operational consultations. If those costs are hard to afford it is also an option to perform a knee replacement surgery abroad. Nowadays this option is getting more and more popular, as for the 50% of the British price, Patients get two-week all-inclusive stays in a private clinic in other European countries.

What is the cost of a total knee replacement in Wales?

The cost of a total knee replacement surgery in the Welsh private sector can vary based on several factors, including the hospital or clinic, the surgeon’s fees, the type of prosthesis used, and additional services provided. Prices for the total knee replacement in Wales start from £12,755 in Spire Healthcare Yale Hospital and range up to £15,540 in Spire Healthcare Cardiff.

What is the cost of a total knee replacement in Scotland?

The average cost of the total knee replacement in Scotland is approximately £14,489 which includes 2-3 days in the hospital ward. This cost does not include preoperative tests, and further physiotherapy.

What if the cost of a total knee replacement surgery in the UK is too high? Consider having the surgery abroad:

Going abroad to get treatment might be a way to avoid long waiting times and allow the Patient to receive a comfortable package with rehabilitation, 24/7 medical care. It’s often chosen by people who live by themselves, who cannot manage at home 2-3 days post the operation, so the time of the discharge in the UK. With some of the affordable packages, you can stay in the hospital for 14 days, and be able to get back home already on your own feet, with stitches removed. No prior face-to-face consultation is required, all medical records could be shared online. ]The total care packages that include online qualification, airport transfers, surgery, catering, stay in the clinic (room with bathroom, TV and Wi-Fi) and concierge services start from £7,400 – all inclusive. Although it may seem less comfortable to travel abroad to get treatment, the package is designed in such a way that you can be easily accompanied by your spouse or friend. We are also doing our best to address other downsides of medical travel which we described in another article (link). On our website, you can find more information about the cost of private knee replacement in Poland. If you can not find the answers to your doubts regarding the knee surgery abroad, please let us know by sending a quick inquiry.

Read the story of Christine who traveled to Poland for a knee replacement:

This summer, our lovely Patient, Christine, took part in a documentary filmed by BBC Ireland, focusing on her treatment abroad. Christine had a knee replacement performed with us. We are thrilled to have been part of this journey and to have helped her regain a pain-free life. You can read her story and view the interview under this link:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av-embeds/66035871/vpid/p0fxqxjc

source of the video:
bbc.co.uk
– © copyright 2023 BBC from the article https://lnkd.in/dkcnj7fm

Sources:https://www.thebestofhealth.co.uk/health-conditions/consultants-specialists/how-much-does-knee-replacement-surgery-cost-in-the-uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medical-practice/better-data-needed-on-knee-replacement/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/01/Combined-Performance-Summary-January-November-December-data-2018.pdf
http://www.opnews.com/2015/05/timing-knee-hip-replacement/11125
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2020/05/covid-disruption-28-million-surgeries-cancelled.aspx
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66035871