What is Orthopedic Tourism and How is Its Growth in India?
Simply put, orthopedic tourism is the act of an individual who travels to a different country specifically for surgery or any other orthopedic treatment. Orthopedic tourism has grown significantly in India, and the last ten years have shown a rapid increase in the number of foreign patients travelling to India for orthopedic surgery. The data shows that in the previous ten years, more than 90 countries have sent patients to India for treatment, with patients coming from the USA, the Middle East, the UK and other countries.
Why Do Global Patients Choose India for Orthopedic Treatment?
Premium-Class Facilities and Advanced Technology
India’s top hospitals have cutting-edge facilities and the latest tech. Patients get access to modern equipment, which means treatments are more precise and recovery is faster. That’s a big win for anyone needing care. Plus, a bunch of these hospitals hold accreditations from global organisations, so you know they’re serious about quality and safety.
Cost-Efficient Treatment
People from all over the world head to India for orthopedic treatment, mostly because it’s a lot more affordable. Even when you factor in flights, hospital stays, and a place to stay, patients still end up saving a good chunk of money compared to what they’d spend in the US, UK, or other developed countries.
What’s surprising is that Indian hospitals don’t cut corners just because the prices are lower. Many have global certifications, and their care matches—or sometimes even beats—what you’d find anywhere else.
Highly Skilled Surgeons
Orthopedic surgeons in India have a great deal of experience with their craft. Many orthopedic experts train from multiple sources around the world and have practice experience in several countries.
Because of their knowledge and experience in both traditional and less invasive techniques, orthopedic doctors in India can do less damage to patients’ bodies causing less pain to patients, as a result, patients recover faster from surgery. Additionally, unlike in some countries, patients in India do not have to wait an extended period for surgery.
Globally Accredited Hospitals Ensuring Safety & Quality
For foreign patients, quality assurance is essential, and India is a leader in this field.
International Certifications
The following organisations accredit the best orthopaedic hospitals in India:
- ISO certifications
- JCI (Joint Commission International)
- NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals)
These certifications guarantee:
- Strict guidelines for patient safety
- Standards for infection control
- Medical ethics
- Open and honest price and documentation
Infection rates are crucial for surgical success, and many Indian hospitals keep them below the global norm.
Easy Patient Experience
In India, hospitals and agencies related to medical tourism provide unrestricted services to the community and International Patients (IP). The comprehensive services offered for global patients include the provision to stay in a safe and comfortable facility, round-the-clock support, assistance to/from the Airport (A) to their Hotel (H) or Facility (F), provision of Language Interpretation, and assistance with Medical Visa.
Most hospitals have a dedicated Customer Support department that caters solely to the needs of International Patients (IP) and their issues throughout the entire treatment process. In India, international patients can access the type of service associated with warm hospitality and caring.
Comprehensive Orthopaedic Care Under One Roof
Orthopaedic care from diagnosis to rehabilitation is provided by Indian hospitals.
- Advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans) with an integrated treatment approach
- Pre-operative preparation
- Surgery using implants that meet international standards
- Rehabilitation following surgery
- Pain management and physical therapy
In order to assist patients in healing more quickly and regaining their mobility sooner, several institutions also integrate contemporary rehabilitation techniques with traditional physiotherapy.
Excellence in Joint Replacement Surgery
Knee and hip replacement surgery are among the most common surgeries performed in India.
Reasons Why India is the Best Place for Joint Replacement Procedures
- Internationally certified implants are used.
- Robotic-assisted and custom-made procedures are available.
- Success rates are extremely high (greater than 95%).
- Patients are discharged from the hospital much quicker than they would be from other countries.
Indian surgeons have vast experience with complex revision joint replacements, while many other countries and/or regions will only do simple joint replacement or do not perform them at all.
Advanced Spine Surgery & Minimally Invasive Techniques
India has emerged as a top choice for spine surgery, particularly for those looking for less intrusive procedures.
Offered Spine Procedures:
- Surgery for slip discs
- Correction of scoliosis
- Fusion of the spine
- Spine endoscopic surgery
- Treatment for degenerative spine disease
The following are the outcomes of minimally invasive spine techniques:
- Reduced blood loss
- Reduced hospital stays
- Decreased pain following surgery
- Returning to regular life more quickly
Strong Focus on Rehabilitation & Post-Surgery Recovery
Orthopaedic surgery is just one part of the treatment process, and hospitals in India are fully aware of this.
Rehabilitation is key to recovery.
- Physiotherapy departments that are entirely dedicated to rehabilitation.
- Tailored/individualised recovery plans.
- The most up-to-date methods for controlling pain.
- An exercise program developed specifically for international patients and provided at home.
Most hospitals will also provide tele-rehabilitation when the patient returns home.
English Proficiency & Cultural Comfort
Good communication matters a lot in healthcare, especially if you’re coming from another country. For international patients, it’s all about feeling understood and safe.
Most staff speak English so you won’t feel lost. They actually take the time to explain every procedure and risk in simple terms. Plus, there’s a multilingual team ready to help, so language barriers don’t get in the way. The staff also understand different cultures, which makes a huge difference.
All this makes it easier to trust your medical team and feel confident about having surgery far from home.
Government Support & Healthcare Growth
The Indian government actively encourages medical travel with programs such as:
- Fast-track immigration for patients
- Medical visa (M-Visa)
- International centres for patient facilitation
India's healthcare system has been reinforced by public-private partnerships, increasing the accessibility and competitiveness of orthopaedic care on a worldwide scale.
High Success Rates & Patient Satisfaction
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India offers exceptional orthopedic care that can be found alongside many countries around the world.
- Long-lasting Implants
- Low Rates of Complications
- High Levels of Functional Recovery
- Strong Patient Testimonials
Countless International Patients going back home Walking Without Pain - Calling Their Orthopedic Treatment A Life-Changing Experience.
Popular Orthopedic Procedures People Get Done in India
Orthopedic treatments cover a wide range, but a few stand out as the most common.
Knee and hip replacements are at the top of the list. Surgeons use modern titanium implants and minimally invasive techniques, so people usually recover faster these days.
Spine surgeries come next. They treat things like spine injuries from accidents, slipped discs, or even conditions like kyphosis.
Then there’s trauma and fracture repair—doctors handle all kinds of broken bones and injuries with some pretty complex surgeries.
And lately, limb lengthening and deformity correction have become more popular. These advanced treatments aren’t just medical—they can give people a real confidence boost, especially when it comes to how they feel about their appearance.
Top Hospitals in India for Orthopaedic Treatment
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai and Delhi
- Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram
- MIOT International, Chennai
- Sancheti Hospital, Pune (orthopaedic speciality centre)
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
Cost of orthopaedic surgery in India
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll pay for different orthopedic surgeries:
- Knee replacement: $4,000 to $6,000
- Hip replacement: $4,500 to $6,500
- Spine surgery: $5,000 to $9,000
- Pediatric orthopedic surgery: $2,500 to $6,000
Let’s talk about what goes into those numbers:
- Pre-evaluation runs between $300 and $700.
- The surgery itself—including your hospital stay—costs anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000.
- After surgery, you’ll spend about $400 to $1,000 on rehab and medication.
So, all in, you’re looking at a total of $3,000 to $9,000 for orthopedic surgery in India. The exact amount depends on the type of procedure, the hospital, the kind of implant, and what you need afterwards.
Now, if you compare these prices around the world, India’s a bargain:
- India: $3,000–$9,000
- USA: $20,000–$50,000
- UK: $15,000–$30,000
Conclusion: India’s Global Leadership in Orthopaedic Surgery
The development of India into a world-class centre for excellence in Orthopaedic Surgery has not happened by accident; it has come about through many years of substantial investment into medical education, infrastructure, technology, and patient-centred care.
The combination of:
- Top surgeons in their field
- High-tech equipment
- Hospitals accredited through international organisations
- Reasonably priced procedures
- Outstanding results for patients
This is what makes India a trusted provider of Orthopaedic Care to people from around the globe.
Patients looking for safe, state-of-the-art treatment available at a reasonable cost have no reason to look anywhere but to India for their Orthopaedic Surgery needs.