Orthopedic surgery in Turkey

Orthopedic surgery in Turkey: what you should know

Orthopedics in Turkey covers the whole musculoskeletal system: knees, hips, shoulders, hands, feet and the spine. International patients most often travel for knee arthroscopy, meniscus repair and ACL reconstruction after sports injuries, for knee and hip replacement because of arthritis, and for more complex operations such as scoliosis correction or hand reconstruction. The main reasons are shorter waiting times than in public systems such as the NHS, and prices in private hospitals that are usually well below private prices in the UK, Germany or the United States.

Orthopedic surgery is different from many other treatments people travel for: the operation is only half of the result. The other half is physiotherapy over the following weeks and months, most of which happens after you return home. Planning orthopedic surgery in Turkey therefore means choosing a hospital and an orthopedic surgeon with experience in your operation, staying long enough to start rehabilitation safely, and arranging physiotherapy at home before you fly. This guide explains costs, packages, the main operations, safety, how long to stay and aftercare. The hospitals on our site, their prices and real patient reviews are shown on this page, and every quote is free.

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Orthopedics in Turkey: how it works

1. 1
   Send your photos and questions

   Free and without obligation: tell us what you want to change and send a few photos — by form or WhatsApp.

2. 2
   Get a written plan and price

   A surgeon reviews your case and you receive a personal plan with the price, usually within 24 hours. Compare hospitals; nothing is paid in advance.

3. 3
   Travel, surgery and aftercare

   Airport pick-up, examination, surgery and check-ups in Istanbul, then follow-up with your surgeon after you fly home.

Orthopedics in Turkey: price list

Starting prices of the treatments the hospitals on our site list, in your currency, next to typical private prices in the UK & EU.

Why plan Orthopedics in Turkey with Treat Journey?

• Free for patients

  Searching, comparing and requesting quotes costs nothing. You pay the hospital directly, at the price in your written quote — never a pre-payment to us.

• Real hospital prices, published

  Every price on this page is the hospital's own price for international patients, shown live in your currency, with what the package includes.

• A named surgeon and a written plan

  Your quote names the surgeon and the hospital and lists exactly what is included — no anonymous packages.

• Licensed hospitals only

  We list licensed hospitals with an international patient department; accreditations such as JCI are shown on each hospital page.

• Honest reviews

  We show real patient reviews, including Google reviews and critical ones, and we never invent ratings.

• Support before, during and after

  A coordinator in your language answers within hours, arranges transfers and an interpreter, and stays in touch after you fly home.

How much does orthopedic surgery in Turkey cost?

The table compares starting prices at the hospitals on our site with typical private prices elsewhere. Turkish prices are hospital prices for international patients; the other figures are approximate private totals including the surgeon, anaesthesia and hospital stay, and they vary widely between hospitals and with the complexity of your case.

The final price depends on the operation and the findings, the type of implant (for example the brand of a knee or hip prosthesis, screws or anchors), the number of nights in hospital, whether a physiotherapist works with you during the stay, and whether imaging such as an MRI has to be repeated in Turkey. Ask for a written quote that names the implant, the surgeon and the hospital.

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What an orthopedic package in Turkey includes

Most hospitals quote a package price for international patients. It usually includes the surgeon's and anaesthesiologist's fees, the operating theatre, the implant named in the quote, the nights in hospital, pre-operative tests (blood tests, ECG and, if needed, X-rays), the first physiotherapy sessions in hospital, medication for the first days, transfers between the airport, hotel and hospital, and a coordinator or interpreter. Hotel nights are included in some packages and not in others.

Not usually included: flights, extra hotel nights, a companion's costs, crutches or a brace you take home, physiotherapy after you leave Turkey and treatment of a complication after you return. Ask for the list in writing.

Orthopedic treatments patients travel to Turkey for

• Knee: knee arthroscopy for meniscus tears and cartilage problems, arthroscopic meniscus repair (from €3,010), ACL reconstruction after a ruptured cruciate ligament, and total knee replacement for advanced arthritis. Patients who search for knee arthroscopy in Turkey are usually active people with a sports injury who want to be treated quickly.
• Hip: total hip replacement for arthritis or hip dysplasia, and hip arthroscopy for impingement in younger patients.
• Shoulder: rotator cuff repair, treatment of recurrent dislocation and shoulder replacement.
• Hand and foot: hand reconstruction surgery after injuries or deformities (from €13,590), carpal tunnel release and bunion (hallux valgus) surgery.
• Spine and bone: operative treatment of scoliosis and bone resection for tumours or deformities (from €8,260), planned by a multidisciplinary team.

Orthopedic sports medicine — arthroscopy, ligament and tendon repair — is the largest group among international patients. Orthopedic surgery for children, such as scoliosis or limb deformity correction, needs a hospital with a paediatric orthopedic team and paediatric anaesthesia; ask for this specifically. All orthopedic treatments listed by the hospitals on our site are on the orthopedics page.

Is orthopedic surgery in Turkey safe? Licences and accreditation

Orthopedic surgery in Turkey is as safe as the hospital and the surgeon you choose. Every hospital needs a Ministry of Health licence, and hospitals that treat international patients need an additional health tourism authorisation. Many large private hospitals are also accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), which checks infection control, patient safety and the handling of medicines. An orthopedic surgeon in Turkey completes several years of specialist training in orthopedics and traumatology and is registered with the Ministry of Health.

For joint replacement and spine surgery, the setting matters most: a full hospital with an intensive-care unit, a blood bank, sterile laminar-flow operating theatres and an in-house physiotherapy team. Infection is the most serious complication after an implant, so ask how the hospital prevents it and how a problem would be handled after you return.

How to choose an orthopedic hospital and surgeon in Turkey

Lists of the best orthopedic hospitals in Turkey are mostly advertising. Use clear criteria instead:

1. Experience in your operation: a surgeon who does knee replacements every week is a different choice from one who mainly treats fractures. Ask how often the surgeon performs your operation.
2. A review of your scans before the quote: a responsible surgeon looks at your X-rays or MRI and asks about your symptoms and other illnesses before confirming that surgery is right for you.
3. Implants named in writing: the brand and type of prosthesis, and the documents you will take home.
4. Physiotherapy on site: daily sessions from the first day after joint surgery.
5. Real reviews that mention the operation, the recovery and the follow-up.

Red flags: a quote without scans, no named surgeon or hospital, pressure to book quickly, an implant that is not specified, a plan to fly home a day or two after joint replacement, and no answer to the question "who helps me if something goes wrong at home?". Read our checklist on how to choose a safe surgeon in Turkey and compare the hospitals on our site.

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How long do you need to stay in Turkey?

The time depends on the operation and how quickly you get moving; your surgeon confirms that you are fit to fly.

After leg and joint surgery the risk of blood clots is higher, especially on long flights. Follow the advice on blood thinners and compression stockings, move your legs and walk during the flight, and read our tips on flying after surgery abroad.

Physiotherapy and aftercare after you fly home

Rehabilitation decides much of the result. Before you travel, book a physiotherapist at home for the first week after your return, and take home your operation report, the implant documents, the discharge summary, your exercise programme and the medication list. Most hospitals follow up by photos and video calls and review a control X-ray at about six weeks. Ask what happens if you need a check-up or a wound problem appears after you return, and give copies of all documents to your GP.

Ordinary travel insurance usually does not cover planned surgery abroad; specialist medical-travel insurance that covers complications and an extended stay is worth considering for joint replacement and spine surgery.

Risks and when surgery abroad is not a good idea

Every orthopedic operation carries risks, including infection, blood clots, bleeding, nerve injury, stiffness, loosening of an implant and the need for revision surgery. Travelling is not advisable if you have uncontrolled diabetes, heart or lung disease, an active infection or severe obesity, if you cannot stay for the full recommended time, or if no physiotherapy is available to you at home. For complex revision operations or tumour surgery, discuss with your doctor at home whether treatment far from home is right for you.

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All Orthopedics treatments

Browse every Orthopedics treatment available at our partner hospitals in Turkey, grouped by category.

Orthopedics in Turkey reviews

Reviews of the hospitals and surgeons on this page that perform Orthopedics, with reviews about this treatment first. Reviews from Google are marked.

All reviews of Lokman Hekim Istanbul HospitalAll reviews of Academic Hospital

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