Total Artificial Knee Replacement in Thailand
- Is severe knee or joint pain interfering with your daily life?
- Looking for a simple affordable solution to end the pain?
UPDATED April 04, 2018 – Then understanding your options for having guided knee replacement surgery in Thailand will be the first step towards your solution and recovery to enjoy a pain-free life again. Over the past 15 years, thousands of men and women have come to Bangkok or Phuket to have high quality & affordable artificial knee surgery or found less invasive less invasive non-surgical alternatives like orthopedic stem cell therapy with PRP therapy. Orthopedic Medical Tours can help you eliminate your pain with a short surgical holiday to Thailand.
Surgical Knee Repair & Replacement
Total artificial Knee Replacement or “TKR” is also known as:
- Knee arthroplasty surgery
- Total Knee replacement
- Knee arthroplasty surgery
- Tricompartmental knee replacement surgery
- or Subvastus knee replacement
TKR is a surgical intervention in which specific parts of an arthritic,diseased or damaged joint (a knee or hip joint replacement) is surgically removed and replaced with a and artificial prosthesis joint made metal,polyethylene or Titanium. The replacement joints are created to mimic a healthy knee joint. The new artificial joints are typically anchored into place using micro-screws and bone cement. In some applications and patient needs it is possible to cover the joints with a porous coating allowing bone tissue to grow into it naturally.
Thai Medical offers 3 types of total knee replacement surgeries
- Total artificial Knee Replacement “TKR” – Total Knee replacement seeks to replace all 3 compartments of the Knee (Medial, Lateral and Patellofemoral compartment)
- Uni-compartmental knee replacement – Unicompartmental Knee replacement arthroplasty entails replacing 1 or each of the medial and lateral compartments it’s also generally known as unicondylar knee replacement or patellofemoral knee replacement.
- Bicompartmental Knee Replacement and Resurfacing – This option is much less invasive than Total Knee Replacement surgery and is primarily for patients who have 2 out of 3 compartments damaged by arthritis or injury.
Knee Replacement Surgery Overview
The Day of Surgery:
- You will be asked to fast (eating and drinking) atleast 8 hours prior to having Knee Replacement Surgery.
- Take your medicines your physician prescribed with a tiny sip of water only.
- Your physician or nurse will give you more instructions once you arrive
The surgery begins by one of our anesthesiologists administering general anesthesia. Our Thai orthopedic surgeon can then begin the operation by making an micro-incision to open up knees allowing the surgeon to then:
- Move your patella (kneecap) slightly away, then shave the end of your thigh/shin bones to allow for a snug fit with the new prosthesis. The surgeon also makes incisions near the underside of the patella in preparation for a new artificial piece to be attached there.
- Then permanently fasten the prosthesis directly onto the bone. One component is going to be attached towards the end of one’s thigh bone and also the other component is going to be attached for your shin bone. Each part can then be finally attached near the underside of the kneecaps using a special medical grade cement.
- Finally our surgeons will repair any damaged tendons and muscles around the new artificial joints and close the cut surgically.
Immediately after knee replacement surgery: Post Surgical Tips
- Patients will likely have a catheter,Foley catheter, IV or tube inserted into a vein for fluids and medicines.(as needed)
- You will be asked to wear a medical compression garment on your knee and legs. These garments strengthen blood flow and lessen your risk of acquiring blood clots.
- Some patients may also get some blood-thinners to help lower any risk of blood clots.
- Our physician may prescribe some mild pain medications and antibiotics to help control discomfort and to avoid infections.
- You’ll be encouraged to begin moving and walking as soon as the initial day following surgery.
- The days following surgery You are going to be assisted getting in and out of your bed onto a chair. In bed you will be encouraged to flex, bend and straighten your legs and ankles to avoid any blood clotting.
- We also prefer the use of a CPM or continuous passive motion machine in bed. The CPM machine bends your knee for you. CPM machines can help speed your recovery process and also cut down any discomfort, risk of infection or bleeding.
Generally, artificial knees have some metal parts, although, some surgeons are making use of some some new distinctive materials, which includes ceramic on ceramic, metal on metal or even ceramic on plastic.
NOTE*** For a great animated overview of the surgery watch the following Knee Replacement video or read the the following informative post about knee replacement surgery and the United States Govt Medline.
Unicompartmental Knee Replacement Surgery
Total Knee replacement surgery is usually recommended for patients suffering with:
- Severe arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or severe knee osteoarthritis that has not improved using with traditional medicines, injections, or physical therapy
- Inability to sleep at night due to extreme knee discomfort
- Limiting Knee discomfort keeping you from becoming in a position to complete your regular activities, particularly bathing or showers, preparing food & regular household chores
- Some tumors that have an effect on the knee
Even when Orthopedic Joint surgery is needed, some pre existing medical conditions or travel restrictions could result in not qualifying for surgery here in Thailand…
Existing pre-conditions may include:
- Current / Previous Knee infections
- Weak Quads- Weak quadriceps can make it really tough to walk and utilize your knees effectively.
- Weight Issues such as Morbid obesity (weighing more than 300 pounds)
- Severe heart conditions or problems with blood clotting
- Very poor blood circulation within the leg usually from (PAD) peripheral vascular disease.
- A terminal illness, for instance bone cancer
Risks and possible complications are mitigated by using trained professionals in internationally accredited hospitals but can include:
- Breathing issues
- Infection, such as within the lungs, urinary tract, and chest requiring antibiotics
- Bleeding or Blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis. These clots can sometimes dislodge and move
- Joint stiffness
Pre-Preparation for Knee Surgery
Please tell the physicians or nurse or us what drugs you will be taking including over the counter drugs, diet supplements, or natural herbs. Two weeks prior to your knee replacement in Thailand surgery you will be required to do the following:
- Cease taking ALL drugs that affect regular blood clotting. These involve aspirin, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen & naproxen along with other drugs.
- If you’ve diabetes, heart illness and other relevant medical conditions, The Knee surgeon in Thailand may need to speak with your regular physician or orthopedic surgeon in your home.
- Please tell your physician if you been drinking more than 1 alcoholic drink per day.
- You will need to stop Smoking before surgery as smoking will dramatically slows down the healing process. Your recovery may well not be as complete if you continue smoking.
- All potential candidates should let our physician know about any existing cold, fever,flu or herpes breakout before your surgery
- You may meet or talk with a trained physical therapist “PT” to discover some new workouts prior to surgery and begin practicing with crutches or perhaps a walker.
Knee Replacement Recovery Time
The surgery takes anywhere from 2-4 hours (per-side) and in total will require 3-4 nights at our hospital before you will be discharged to spend the rest of your recovery in your hotel room. ( Included in treatment package ) The follow ups are usually 5-6 days post surgery and you will be able to return home after 14 days. Full recovery for your knee replacement surgery will take about three months to 1 year.
Testimonials from Previous Patients
I’ve been an avid golfer since 1988 and had to slow down recently due to my bum knees giving out. In 2010, I first had knee surgery which made things worse and left me with bone on bone contact on the sides of my left knee.
It caused a lot of pain and suffering. My main problem was instability and weakness and i think i must have had it drained over 12 times a year. By the end of 2012 my knees were completely shot and i was just limping around. Thats when I decided to go the surgical route and have my knees totally replaced with titanium joints. I looked at my options in Hawaii but my out of pocket costs were just too high. I decided instead to go to Thailand for my knee replacements. Looking back now i can say it was a fantastic decision. The hospital as first class and I saved about $47,000 dollars not to mention how much fun i had during my 3 week stay in Bangkok. Dr Tawan was especially helpful throughout the entire process and made me feel like a human and not just another patient. His kindness and attention to details were better than i have ever experienced from any doctor here in the states. I can’t wait to go back for some dental work next year! Thanks alot for your help guys. I really really appreciate all your efforts. Mahalo!–Kenny T – Honolulu,HITMV recommended an amazing doctor and team that were always very attentive to my needs. I especially appreciated the doctor answering all my questions in a understanding and nurturing way. I m thrilled with my results–Alexi,New Zealand
I remember the day when i first heard strange pop sound come from my right knee followed by pain. It happened whilst I was playing basketball and stepped on someones foot making my knee buckle in the wrong direction.
Doctors here told me i had a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Surgery was an option but the results may not have been to the level i wanted. I then saw a story on ABC new about stem cells for orthopaedic injuries like knee damage. I immediately started looking for my best alternatives to knee surgery. I found Thai medical on youtube and contact them with my situation. The orthopaedic doctors there reviewed my MRI and told me i had a good chance at a full recovery as long as i followed through with proper rehab after my treatment. The stem cell therapies are not covered by insurance which wasn’t ideal but as far as results go, i couldn’t be happier. The treatment took about 3 weeks in Bangkok. They had a full medical team and my treatments also included PRP,Acupuncture and Growth factor injections that i feel made a big difference. The doctors and staff were all very attentive and all the doctors spoke fluent english. I can’t be any more grateful for the whole experience. I’m still in rehab now and my ACL isn’t 100% back but its only been 3 months and i can already notice a significant improvement in lateral motion. I recommend anyone considering going the non-surgical route to contact Thai medical and get a consultation to see if cell regeneration therapy can help. –Fred S – Melbourne, AustraliaHi Jamie, Just want to return your email and thank you for all your efforts during my trip for total knee replacement surgery. Im feeling a lot better now and have started rehabbing. Your doctors and medical staff were all very nice and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire trip. The attention to detail by your doctors and staff were all commendable. Take care and god bless. –Samantha M, Queenstown
I’m very pleased with the results from my partial knee replacement in Thailand. The entire procedure and recovery took about 3 weeks in total and included about 4 nights in the hospital.
I met Dr. Pradit the day before my surgery. We had exchanged a few emails at first but meeting him in person was much better. I could tell he knew what he was doing by the questions he asked. The surgery took place on tuesday morning and I went back from the hospital on Sunday morning. I had to go back a week later for my followup then once again before i left. Overall, i think the surgery was a total success. There was minimal pain directly after the surgery but i was told about that before the surgery began. Whats amazing is that I was already walking with my weight a few days after I left the hospital. My range of motion has gotten much better and walking is fun again. I wish i would have had the surgery sooner because i think my other knee had to compensate for too long and is not starting to show signs of weakness. I think i may have to comeback in a few year for the other side and will let you know when I’m ready. Thanks again for taking care of me while i was there. It made being away from home much much easier. Cheers. –Adam Nasari, Bahrain
Cost of Total Knee Replacement at Thai Medical
The total price of having artificial knee replacement in Thailand will depend entirely on the patient’s specific needs are and materials requirements. We only offer fixed priced plans and our costs are generally 35-50% less than others but are still performed by one of the best orthopedic surgeons in Thailand who have performed thousands of successful joint replacement surgeries in the past.
The outcomes and results can be pretty dramatic as our approved operation helps relieves pain and discomfort for nearly every patient we accept into our treatment program. We use the most modern artificial knee joints that are much more durable than anything from the past and usually last from 12 to 20 years depending on the lifestyle of the patient. Most artificial knees that we offer today are rated to last over 20 years but may need earlier replacement due to heavier than normal wear and tear.
Artificial Knee Replacement Surgery Alternatives
Thai Medical offers patients from across the planet with the most cutting edge integrative regenerative medicine including stem cell therapy for knee arthritis and osteoarthritis utilizing a variety of safe stem cell sources such as Adipose tissue, cord blood, placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells for a 100% non-surgical alternative to knee replacement surgery. Our cell regeneration solutions and PRP therapies can be used for many types of common orthopedic issues. These conditions run the entire spectrum from simple tennis elbow,hand and wrist injuries to degenerative arthritis. The vast majority of common orthopedic ailments however lie somewhere in between those 2 extreme scenarios. Conditions like rotator cuff injury and enthesopathy,spinal trigger points, herniated discs and a whole host of ligamentous/meniscal injuries affecting the knees, ankles, and hips. These are all treatable conditions today using a variety of non-surgical cell transplants utilizing your own mesenchymal cells. To learn more about Total knee replacement surgery in Thailand or alternatives to TKR surgery please contact us today.
“Shape your Dreams into Reality with Thai Medical”