The cost of knee replacement in South Korea typically ranges from $13,500 to $14,800. Prices vary depending on the hospital, the surgeon’s experience, implant type (cemented, uncemented, or hybrid), and whether you need a partial or total replacement. In the United States, the average cost is $45,000 (according to AAOS). This means knee replacement in South Korea is about 69% less expensive than in the U.S.
South Korean hospitals generally include pre-op tests, general or spinal anesthesia, high-quality prosthetic implants, several days of hospital stay, medications, and initial physiotherapy in the package price. In the U.S., anesthesia, prosthesis, and rehab are often billed separately from the hospital and surgeon fees. Always confirm which services and extras are included at each clinic.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for knee replacement?
Access advanced Knee replacement solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Knee replacement | from $13,500 | from $6,500 | from $20,000 |
| Knee arthroplastic | from $8,100 | from $14,100 | from $22,000 |
| Knee Arthroscopy | from $7,000 | from $1,800 | from $4,500 |
| Unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement | - | from $3,500 | from $14,000 |
| Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) revision | - | from $6,978 | from $27,000 |
Reviewed by Bookimed Medical Advisor
Fahad MawloodWritten by Kateryna Zamkovska
When considering Knee replacement, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
A minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the knee joint by inserting a small camera and instruments through tiny incisions.
Knee MAKOplasty is a minimally invasive knee surgery using robotic assistance to ensure precise implant placement.
This procedure involves replacing only one compartment of the knee joint, preserving more of the patient's natural bone and ligaments.
Currency | South Korean Won (you also can pay for services in dollars) |
Best period for the trip | April, May & June or September, October & November. |
Language | Korean (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
Visa | none required for stays under 90 days or less |
Time difference with Europe | 9 hours |
Time difference with the USA | 9 hours |
Capital | Seoul |
Medical tourism center | Seoul |
Popular resorts | Gangwon-do, Gyeongju, Boseong, Jeju |
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Korean government. The Korean authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 1 billion a year for medical tourists attraction.
According to Mark Britnell, hospitals dominate the health system. 94% of hospitals are privately owned.
In South Korea, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
Today, South Korea has visa-free agreements with 112 states. None visa is required for stays under 90 days or less. To stay longer in this country, you need a visa. What states need a visa for treatment in South Korea and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to South Korea require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:
According to ASPS statistics, 17.7 mln cosmetic surgeries and 5.8 mln reconstructive procedures have been performed in 2018. Among cosmetic procedures the most popular are:
Tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, hand surgery are the most common operations in the context of reconstructive surgery.