Patients ready to connect with MTA-verified orthopedic providers can browse and submit a free inquiry at Better by MTA — the Medical Tourism Association's patient platform.
Why Patients Choose Orthopedic Surgery Abroad
For most international orthopedic patients, the decision comes down to one of three realities.
Cost. In the United States, a total knee replacement without insurance costs $35,000–$65,000. The same procedure at a JCI-accredited hospital in Thailand costs $12,000–$18,000. For patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or facing high deductibles, the math is straightforward.
Wait times. In the UK, the average NHS wait for elective hip or knee replacement has extended to 18 months or longer in many regions. In Canada and Australia, waits of 12–24 months are common for non-urgent joint replacement. At internationally accredited hospitals, patients typically wait weeks, not years.
Access to specific expertise. Some patients are not driven primarily by cost or wait time — they are seeking a surgeon with a specific specialization, a technique not widely available domestically, or a second opinion from an internationally recognized center. Orthopedic surgery abroad serves all three of these patient profiles.
Which Orthopedic Procedures Travel Well?
Not all procedures are equally well-suited to international travel. The best cases for orthopedic tourism are those where the procedure is well-standardized, recovery allows time for return travel, and follow-up can be managed remotely or with a local orthopedic surgeon at home.
Total and Partial Knee Replacement
The single most common orthopedic procedure sought internationally. Well-standardized technique, consistent outcomes at accredited facilities, and recovery timelines that allow international travel home within 4–6 weeks. Savings vs the US: typically 60–75%.
Total Hip Replacement
Second only to knee replacement in volume. Excellent outcomes at JCI-accredited facilities, with the same implant brands available internationally as domestically. Savings vs the US: typically 60–70%.
Spine Surgery
Including disc replacement, spinal fusion (single and multi-level), laminectomy, and minimally invasive spine procedures. Spine cases require more careful pre-operative planning for international patients — ensure thorough remote consultation and clear follow-up arrangements before committing to travel.
ACL Reconstruction and Sports Medicine
High-volume procedure internationally, particularly in destination-oriented medical tourism markets like Thailand and Croatia. Recovery includes structured rehabilitation that international programs are well equipped to provide during the initial post-operative period.
Shoulder Surgery
Rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, and SLAP repair are routinely performed at internationally accredited orthopedic centers.
Revision Joint Replacement
More complex cases requiring revision of previously placed implants can be managed at high-volume centers internationally, but require more careful pre-operative assessment and case review than primary replacement. Remote consultation and imaging review before travel is essential.
How Much Does Orthopedic Surgery Cost Abroad?
Total knee replacement:
Thailand: $12,000–$18,000 | Croatia: $10,000–$16,000 | UAE: $14,000–$22,000 | Colombia: $8,000–$14,000 | France: $15,000–$22,000
US comparison: $35,000–$65,000 | UK private: £15,000–£25,000
Total hip replacement:
Thailand: $11,000–$17,000 | Croatia: $9,000–$15,000 | UAE: $13,000–$20,000 | Colombia: $8,000–$13,000
US comparison: $32,000–$55,000 | UK private: £13,000–£22,000
Spine surgery (single level fusion):
Thailand: $12,000–$20,000 | UAE: $12,000–$25,000 | France: $14,000–$22,000
US comparison: $30,000–$80,000+
ACL reconstruction:
Thailand: $7,000–$12,000 | Croatia: $6,000–$10,000 | UAE: $8,000–$14,000
US comparison: $20,000–$35,000
Shoulder replacement:
Thailand: $10,000–$16,000 | UAE: $12,000–$18,000
US comparison: $25,000–$50,000
Cost estimates are based on industry averages and vary significantly by hospital, surgeon, procedure complexity, implant grade, and length of stay. Always request a fully itemized quote. Cost alone should never be the primary selection criterion for orthopedic surgery — accreditation, surgeon credentials, and case volume matter more.
The Top Orthopedic Destinations — What Makes Each One Different
Thailand
The most established international orthopedic destination in Asia, anchored by Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok — one of the most studied and most-cited international hospitals in the world. Thailand offers the highest concentration of JCI-accredited hospitals in Southeast Asia, with orthopedic surgeon training predominantly from the US, UK, and Australia. For patients from North America, Australia, and East Asia, Thailand is the benchmark international orthopedic destination.
Croatia
Europe's most credible emerging orthopedic destination, anchored by St. Catherine Specialty Hospital in Zagreb — a dedicated orthopedic and sports medicine center that has built a reputation for complex joint replacement and spine surgery among European and North American patients. For UK and European patients who want shorter travel times and European clinical standards, Croatia is increasingly the first choice.
UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
The Middle East's leading medical tourism hub for orthopedic surgery, with JCI-accredited hospitals operating under rigorous oversight from the Abu Dhabi Department of Health. For patients from the GCC, India, East Africa, and increasingly Europe, the UAE offers the proximity of a regional hub combined with Western-standard care. Healthpoint's Cleveland Clinic affiliation is a particular differentiator.
France
Home to some of Europe's most specialized orthopedic surgeons, particularly in sports medicine and complex joint procedures. France offers a distinct value proposition for patients seeking elite surgical expertise — specifically surgeons like Professeur Cavaignac in Toulouse whose specialty training and case volume in specific procedures is difficult to match globally.
MTA Verified Orthopedic Providers
Bumrungrad International Hospital — MTA Verified
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
Bumrungrad International Hospital is one of the most studied and most widely cited international hospitals in the world — a 580-bed JCI-accredited facility in Bangkok that treated over 1.1 million patients in a single year, including more than 520,000 international patients from over 190 countries. Its orthopedic and spine center is among the hospital's flagship programs, offering the full range of joint replacement, spine surgery, and sports medicine supported by a comprehensive rehabilitation unit.
Bumrungrad's orthopedic surgeons are predominantly trained in the US, UK, and Australia, with fellowship qualifications in specific subspecialties. The hospital uses the same implant brands as top US facilities — Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy — and robotic-assisted joint replacement is available.
Location: 33 Sukhumvit Soi 3, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Orthopedic Specialties: Total Knee Replacement (including robotic-assisted), Total Hip Replacement, Shoulder Replacement, Spine Surgery (all levels, including minimally invasive), ACL and Ligament Reconstruction, Rotator Cuff Surgery, Cartilage Restoration, Sports Medicine, Orthopedic Oncology
Accreditation: JCI Accredited (multiple consecutive cycles)
Languages: English, Thai, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and additional languages via interpretation
International Patient Services: Dedicated international patient center, visa coordination, accommodation liaison, airport transfer, remote pre-operative consultation, treatment planning package
Estimated Cost — Knee Replacement: $12,000–$18,000 | Hip Replacement: $11,000–$17,000 | Spine (single level): $12,000–$20,000 | ACL: $7,000–$12,000
Best for: Patients from North America, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia seeking orthopedic treatment at an internationally validated, high-volume JCI-accredited hospital with extensive international patient infrastructure. Bumrungrad's scale enables subspecialty depth that most international hospitals cannot match — including orthopedic oncology, complex revision cases, and multi-level spine procedures. Patients from over 190 countries have been treated here, making it the most internationally experienced orthopedic destination in Asia.
→ View Bumrungrad International Hospital on Better by MTA
St. Catherine Specialty Hospital — MTA Verified
📍 Zagreb, Croatia
St. Catherine Specialty Hospital is a dedicated orthopedic and sports medicine center in Zagreb, Croatia, that has built one of the strongest reputations for complex joint replacement and spine surgery in Central and Eastern Europe. Unlike general hospitals with orthopedic departments, St. Catherine is built exclusively around musculoskeletal health — meaning the entire clinical environment, from operating theaters to rehabilitation units, is designed for orthopedic patient pathways.
The hospital attracts patients from across Europe, the UK, and North America seeking an alternative to long NHS wait times or high US costs, in a European clinical environment with direct flight connections from most major cities. Zagreb is a 2-hour flight from London, 2.5 hours from Frankfurt, and well connected from the US via major European hubs.
Location: Ulica Kneza Branimira 71E, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Orthopedic Specialties: Total Knee Replacement, Total Hip Replacement, Shoulder Replacement, Spine Surgery, ACL Reconstruction, Meniscus Surgery, Rotator Cuff Repair, Regenerative Orthopedics (PRP, Stem Cell), Sports Medicine, Complex Revision Surgery
Languages: English, Croatian, German
International Services: Full international patient coordination, remote pre-operative assessment, treatment planning, accommodation guidance, airport assistance, follow-up documentation for home orthopedic team
Estimated Cost — Knee Replacement: $10,000–$16,000 | Hip Replacement: $9,000–$15,000 | ACL Reconstruction: $6,000–$10,000
Best for: UK and European patients seeking orthopedic surgery in a European clinical environment at significantly lower cost than private UK or Western European surgery. St. Catherine's dedicated orthopedic focus and the depth of its sports medicine program make it the strongest choice for patients with sports-related injuries and for those seeking complex revision procedures. Patients from the US and Canada find it a compelling option for its combination of European clinical standards, competitive pricing, and a destination setting in one of Central Europe's most beautiful capitals.
→ View St. Catherine Specialty Hospital on Better by MTA
Burjeel Medical City — MTA Verified
📍 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Burjeel Medical City is one of the Middle East's largest private hospital complexes, a 750-bed multi-specialty facility in Abu Dhabi offering the full range of orthopedic subspecialty care — including robotic-assisted joint replacement — under one roof. JCI accredited and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Burjeel Medical City serves patients from across the GCC, India, East Africa, and increasingly from Europe and North America.
Location: Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Orthopedic Specialties: Total Knee Replacement (robotic-assisted available), Total Hip Replacement, Shoulder Replacement, Spine Surgery, Sports Medicine, ACL Reconstruction, Cartilage Restoration, Pediatric Orthopedics
Accreditation: JCI Accredited
Languages: English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, and additional languages
International Services: Dedicated international patient center, visa coordination, accommodation guidance, remote pre-operative consultation
Estimated Cost — Knee Replacement: $15,000–$22,000 | Hip Replacement: $14,000–$20,000
Best for: Patients from the GCC, India, and East Africa for whom Abu Dhabi is the most accessible international destination, and patients with complex orthopedic cases requiring multi-specialty backup within the same facility. Burjeel's scale makes it the strongest UAE choice for complex or revision procedures.
→ View Burjeel Medical City on Better by MTA
Healthpoint — MTA Verified
📍 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Healthpoint is a specialist musculoskeletal hospital in Abu Dhabi, operated in clinical partnership with Cleveland Clinic — one of the US health systems most consistently ranked among the world's best for orthopedic care. As a hospital built exclusively around musculoskeletal health and sports medicine, Healthpoint offers focused orthopedic expertise in a clinical environment designed entirely around the orthopedic patient pathway.
Location: Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Orthopedic Specialties: Joint Replacement, Spine Surgery, Sports Medicine, ACL Reconstruction, Rotator Cuff Surgery, Cartilage Restoration, Foot and Ankle Surgery, Hand Surgery, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Clinical Partnership: Cleveland Clinic
Accreditation: JCI Accredited
Languages: English, Arabic, and additional languages
International Services: Remote consultation capability, international patient coordination, structured rehabilitation program
Estimated Cost — Knee Replacement: $14,000–$20,000 | Hip Replacement: $13,000–$18,000 | ACL Reconstruction: $8,000–$13,000
Best for: Patients who want the focused expertise of a specialist musculoskeletal hospital with a Cleveland Clinic quality benchmark, particularly athletes and active patients who place high value on the integrated rehabilitation program alongside surgical care.
→ View Healthpoint on Better by MTA
Professeur Cavaignac — MTA Verified
📍 Toulouse, France
Professeur Emmanuel Cavaignac is a senior orthopedic surgeon at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse — one of France's leading university hospital systems — specializing in knee surgery, sports medicine, and complex joint procedures. His practice represents a distinctive option in the Better by MTA network: access to elite French surgical expertise in a specific orthopedic subspecialty, within a university hospital environment that combines academic excellence with high surgical case volume.
For patients who have been told they need a complex knee procedure, or who are seeking a second opinion on a knee diagnosis from a surgeon with elite subspecialty training, Professeur Cavaignac's practice offers something genuinely rare in international orthopedic tourism.
Location: CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
Orthopedic Specialties: Knee Surgery (total replacement, partial replacement, complex revision), ACL Reconstruction, Meniscus Surgery, Cartilage Procedures, Sports Medicine, Lower Limb Biomechanics
Clinical Affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse
Languages: French (English-language coordination available through Better by MTA)
International Services: Coordinated through Better by MTA international patient pathway — remote consultation available, treatment planning, coordination with Toulouse medical administration
Estimated Cost: Available on request through Better by MTA inquiry system
Best for: Patients seeking elite subspecialty surgical expertise in complex knee conditions — particularly patients with prior failed procedures, complex revision cases, or conditions where subspecialty depth matters more than destination convenience. Also highly suited to patients from the UK and Europe for whom France is a short flight and who value French university hospital surgical training and case volume.
→ View Professeur Cavaignac on Better by MTA
Side-by-Side Comparison
Bumrungrad International | Bangkok, Thailand | Knee $12,000–$18,000 | Hip $11,000–$17,000 | ✓ MTA Verified | JCI Accredited | North America/Australia/Middle East/Asia patients, highest international volume
St. Catherine Hospital | Zagreb, Croatia | Knee $10,000–$16,000 | Hip $9,000–$15,000 | ✓ MTA Verified | UK/European patients, dedicated orthopedic hospital, sports medicine focus
Burjeel Medical City | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Knee $15,000–$22,000 | Hip $14,000–$20,000 | ✓ MTA Verified | JCI Accredited | GCC/India/East Africa, complex cases, robotic surgery
Healthpoint | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Knee $14,000–$20,000 | Hip $13,000–$18,000 | ✓ MTA Verified | JCI Accredited | Cleveland Clinic affiliation, specialist musculoskeletal, athletes
Professeur Cavaignac | Toulouse, France | Upon request | — | ✓ MTA Verified | Elite knee subspecialty, UK/European patients, complex revision
How to Choose the Right Orthopedic Hospital Abroad
✓ Confirm your surgeon's subspecialty training. Board certification of the hospital is not enough — ask specifically about your treating surgeon's fellowship training, the number of your specific procedure they perform per year, and their revision rate. Volume matters for orthopedic outcomes.
✓ Ask about the implant system. Your implant may need revision work by a surgeon in your home country in the future. Confirm the brand and model used, and verify it is available for future work where you live.
✓ Get the full cost in writing, itemized. Confirm that the quote includes: surgeon fee, anesthesia, hospital stay, implants, intraoperative imaging, physiotherapy during admission, and any post-operative medications. Understand what additional costs may arise.
✓ Plan your rehabilitation before you travel. The rehabilitation program after joint replacement is as important as the surgery itself. Ask what in-hospital physiotherapy is included, how many sessions, and what remote follow-up the hospital provides after you return home. Arrange a physiotherapist in your home country before you travel.
✓ Understand flying restrictions. Deep vein thrombosis is a real risk after major orthopedic surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting 4–6 weeks after knee or hip replacement before long-haul flights. Plan your recovery accommodation accordingly.
✓ Use a remote consultation before committing. All MTA-verified providers in this guide offer remote pre-operative consultation. Use it. Share your imaging, your history, and your goals before booking travel — a good surgeon will give you an honest assessment of whether international surgery is appropriate for your specific case.
✓ Use an MTA Verified provider. All providers in this guide have been reviewed by the Medical Tourism Association for physician credentials, accreditation status, international patient infrastructure, and payment standards. Connect with all of them through Better by MTA.
Ready to Start Your Orthopedic Journey Abroad?
Better by MTA connects you directly with MTA-verified orthopedic hospitals across Thailand, Croatia, UAE, and France. One free inquiry reaches the right provider for your specific procedure, destination preference, and budget — no obligation, no intermediary fees.
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By Jonathan Edelheit, CEO & Co-Founder, Medical Tourism Association. Last updated July 2026.
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