Orthopaedics & Joint Surgery

Joint replacement is usually considered when arthritis is confirmed on X-ray and pain or stiffness limits daily life despite physiotherapy, weight management, pain relief and injections. If you have not tried these, a surgeon may suggest them first. Surgery may need to wait if you have an infection, uncontrolled diabetes, serious heart or lung problems, or poor skin over the joint. Send your X-rays and reports so a partner surgeon can advise.

Send recent standing X-rays of the affected joint and, for spine problems or sports injuries, an MRI, ideally as the original image files rather than only the written report. Add your symptoms, how long they have lasted, treatments tried, previous operations, other conditions, medicines and allergies. For spine problems, mention any numbness, weakness or change in bladder or bowel control, which needs prompt attention from a doctor at home.

Your surgeon decides, but the stay usually covers a few days in hospital and a further period for wound checks and daily physiotherapy until you can walk safely with support. Sitting still on a long flight raises the risk of blood clots after joint surgery, so ask about clot prevention, moving during the flight and airport assistance. Travelling with a companion is sensible, especially on long-haul flights to North America or the Gulf.

Ask for the surgeon’s name and specialist training, how often they perform your operation, and which implant and robotic system are proposed. A robotic arm helps the surgeon plan and position the implant, but the surgeon still performs the operation, so experience matters more than the device. Ask for the implant brand and model in writing, so a surgeon at home can follow it up, and who manages complications after you leave.

Plan this before you travel: arrange a physiotherapist and tell your family doctor about the operation, so rehabilitation continues without a gap. Bring the operation report, implant details, discharge letter, medicines list and the exercise programme from the partner hospital. Keep doing the exercises daily, as they strongly affect your recovery. Seek urgent local care for a swollen or painful calf, breathlessness, a fever, or a wound that becomes red or leaks.

Treatment in Türkiye often costs less than private treatment in countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and much of Western Europe, mainly because of lower operating costs. Med World Türkiye does not set medical pricing — fees are quoted by our independent partner hospitals and clinicians in a written, itemised quote after they review your case.

If you want, your coordinator arranges airport pickup, transfers and a hotel near the partner hospital for your stay. What is included is listed in your written quote, so you can check it item by item before you travel.

You can contact us in any of the site's ten languages: English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Arabic and Greek. Interpreter support for hospital appointments can be arranged; ask your coordinator which languages are available for your dates.

Med World Türkiye works with JCI-accredited partner hospitals. JCI (Joint Commission International) is a widely recognised international accreditation for healthcare quality. Treating physicians are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Follow-up after you return home is arranged with the treating team, for example by scheduled video appointments, and your written quote states how long it lasts and what it includes. Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of the treating physician.