| Orthopedic surgeries are designed to treat a number | | | | more natural movement and function, and provides |
| of bone and joint problems. The most common | | | | surgeons with an answer to the challenge of current |
| orthopedic issues today involve medical conditions | | | | total knee systems." |
| such as arthritis, joint-related injuries and stress | | | | |
| caused by obesity, and damage to bones and joints | | | | Orthopedic Surgery Abroad |
| due to sports injuries or automobile accidents. | | | | Due to increasing costs and wait times for orthopedic |
| | | | | treatments and surgeries, more individuals are |
| Who Needs Orthopedic Surgeries? | | | | crossing international borders to seek treatment. |
| Orthopedic surgeries are designed to treat a number | | | | Lower costs, decreased wait time, new technologies, |
| of bone and joint problems. The most common | | | | and the expertise and experience of orthopedic |
| orthopedic issues today involve medical conditions | | | | surgeons in foreign destinations has created a boom |
| such as arthritis, joint-related injuries and stress | | | | in the number of individuals, especially the elderly, |
| caused by obesity, and damage to bones and joints | | | | seeking treatment in such destinations as South |
| due to sports injuries or automobile accidents. | | | | America, India, and Middle East countries such as |
| | | | | Jordan and Turkey. |
| According to research performed by the American | | | | |
| Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, one in seven | | | | PlacidWay, a medical tourism portal based in Denver, |
| Americans currently suffers from bone or joint | | | | Colorado is a leader in consumer information, |
| issues, for which consumers pay nearly $850 billion a | | | | knowledge and awareness of orthopedic procedures |
| year. Elderly individuals suffering from chronic arthritis | | | | and technologies offered with its regional partners. |
| conditions make up the largest demographic of those | | | | Medical facilities in various regions around the world, |
| seeking orthopedic care. When it comes to injuries, | | | | including those found in Korea, Thailand, and South |
| back and knee injuries are the most common, and | | | | Africa, offer certified, accredited, and quality care for |
| cost workers in the United States over 400 million | | | | orthopedic patients. |
| lost workdays. | | | | |
| | | | | Cost Comparison |
| Innovations In Orthopedic Surgery | | | | In the United States, cruciate ligament repair via knee |
| Research and development has improved the design | | | | arthroscopy averages $17,000 per knee, while in |
| and function of many orthopedic devices and | | | | India, medical travelers may save up to 40%, paying |
| procedures. Two of the most recent include | | | | just under $5,000 for the same procedure. Hip |
| computer assisted hip resurfacing software. Though | | | | replacement procedures in the United States cost an |
| widely utilized in Britain and Germany for many years, | | | | average of $45,000, while the same procedure in |
| computer assisted resurfacing has stepped into the | | | | Poland costs just over $5,000, with a 50-60% |
| 21st century with a model based CE (Conformité | | | | savings, or roughly $7,000 in Turkey, and $6,000 in |
| Européenne) solution for hip resurfacing, called the | | | | India. |
| VectorVision® hip SR. The process offers precise | | | | |
| navigation system positioning and is able to calculate | | | | Lower costs do not reflect the expertise or |
| an optimal treatment plan for placement of femoral | | | | experience of orthopedic surgeons in foreign |
| head components, hip geometry and hip replacement | | | | destinations. Foreign medical providers in many |
| surfaces. | | | | locations offer world renowned surgeons utilizing |
| | | | | state-of-the-art and high-tech equipment and are also |
| Another popular innovation has recently been used in | | | | accredited by the JCI (joint Commission International) |
| Chennai, India. The JOURNEY Knee in Oxinium | | | | as well as by Boards of Orthopedic Surgeons and |
| provides an anatomical and fully functional knee joint | | | | Associations in their country of origin. |
| system designed to feel and move like a normal | | | | |
| knee, increasing flexion and stability. Oxinium materials | | | | Conclusion |
| offer state-of-the- art technology utilized in knee and | | | | With healthcare rules and regulation changes on the |
| hip implant components, producing exceptional | | | | horizon, the attractiveness and cost effectiveness of |
| performance and resistance to abrasion and friction. | | | | global medical tourism is likely to rise. Consumers |
| The device replicates functions of both the anterior | | | | accessing timely, up-to-date and relevant knowledge |
| cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligaments. | | | | database is regarding foreign healthcare providers and |
| Says Dr. A.K. Venkatachalam, a consulting orthopedic | | | | facilities through website portals such as PlacidWay |
| surgeon, "The JOURNEY knees system is well suited | | | | will find untold benefits, and cost savings, by looking |
| for high demand or active patients. It is the only | | | | beyond current borders for their orthopedic medical |
| knee replacement on the market that offers patients | | | | care. |