Who this page is for
- Knee or hip pain and stiffness that have a big effect on your life, most often from osteoarthritis
- Other treatments, such as medicines and physiotherapy, have not helped enough
- You have been told you may need a joint replacement, or a revision of an earlier one, and want another hospital’s view
What assessment and treatment usually involve
A knee replacement may be recommended when knee pain has a big effect on your life and alternatives have not worked; most people who have one have pain and movement problems caused by osteoarthritis. A hip replacement may be recommended when hip pain and stiffness have a big effect on your life; osteoarthritis is the most common reason, and rheumatoid arthritis or damage after a fall or injury are others.1, 4
In a total knee replacement the surgeon replaces the damaged ends of the thigh bone and shin bone; in a partial replacement only one side of the knee is replaced, with a smaller cut and usually a quicker recovery. The operation is done under a general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic and usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.2
After the operation you use crutches or a walking frame at first. Compression stockings are usually given to help prevent blood clots. It may take several months or longer to recover fully.3, 5
What YituCare coordinates at each step
- Free enquiry Tell us what you need on the form or on WhatsApp. Our first reply, within 24 hours, tells you the city, the type of hospital and the department that fit your request.
- Case review & hospital match A coordinator organises your records, translates a summary and asks 1–2 departments at hospitals we work with whether they can accept your case. The written reply comes within 3–5 working days of receiving your complete records, names the hospital and includes the hospital’s estimate.
- Appointments and dates We request the consultation, tests or admission with the hospital and keep you informed; the hospital confirms the appointment.
- In China Airport pickup, hotel arrival and hospital transfers, and, if you book it, a bilingual companion on hospital days.
- After treatment We collect your discharge documents, arrange translations you need and pass follow-up questions between you and the hospital team after you return home.
For a joint replacement we plan the trip around the hospital’s discharge date and getting about with walking aids, and we ask the hospital which follow-up checks you will need after returning home.
Records to prepare
- A short summary of your condition and treatment so far, or a recent letter from your doctor
- Recent test results and reports, with dates
- A list of the medicines you take now, and any allergies
- Recent X-rays or MRI of the joint, as image files and reports
- Notes from any earlier operation on the joint, including the type of implant if you have one
Length of stay to plan for
- People usually leave hospital 1 to 4 days after a knee replacement, and about 1 to 3 days after a hip replacement if they are generally fit and the surgery went well.3, 5
- Walking aids are needed at first; for a knee, walking without an aid is suggested after about 6 weeks if you feel ready. Driving should wait at least 6 weeks after a total knee replacement or a hip replacement.3, 5
Case Review & Hospital Match
We do not publish treatment prices: they depend on the hospital’s review of your records. The hospital’s estimate comes through the Case Review & Hospital Match (USD 129), whose written reply names the hospital and sets out what the hospital proposes.
YituCare coordinates; it does not diagnose or prescribe. The hospital’s doctors make all clinical decisions and confirm appointments, and medical fees are paid directly to the hospital.
Questions about this treatment
How long should I plan to stay in China?+
The hospital stay itself is usually a few days, but you also need time for tests before the operation and for early recovery before a long flight. The hospital’s team gives the dates after reviewing your records, and we ask for them with the estimate.
Should I stop my current treatment while I look into this?+
No. Keep following your current doctor’s advice while you explore options in China.
How do I start?+
Send a free enquiry on the form or on WhatsApp. If you already have recent records and want to know which hospital can accept your case and what it would cost, book the case review.
When do I learn the hospital’s and the doctor’s names?+
Our first reply tells you the city, the type of hospital and the department. The hospital’s name is given when you book a paid service: the case review’s written reply names the hospital. For a specialist opinion, the doctor’s name and hospital are given after payment.