Knee replacement in Turkey: choosing a hospital and surgeon and what to expect

Why patients choose Turkey for knee replacement

Knee replacement is one of the most common planned orthopaedic operations in Europe. When local waiting lists are long, or patients want a specific hospital or implant, Turkey is an option many look at. The practical reasons are:

• Large accredited private hospital groups in Istanbul, with orthopaedic wards, modern operating theatres, intensive care and in-house physiotherapy.
• Short waiting times – once your records are reviewed, surgery can usually be scheduled within weeks.
• Experienced orthopaedic teams performing joint replacements routinely.
• Easy travel – direct flights connect Sofia and Varna with Istanbul, and many European cities have frequent routes.
• Coordination in your language – international patient units and health-tourism organisers provide interpreters and a coordinator.

For a full explanation of the operation itself, see our guide to knee replacement surgery; for other joint problems, browse orthopaedics.

Who needs a knee replacement?

The commonest reason is advanced osteoarthritis; others include rheumatoid arthritis, old fractures and deformity. Surgery is usually discussed when:

• pain is severe and persistent, including at night or at rest;
• walking, stairs and everyday tasks are clearly limited;
• weight loss, physiotherapy, painkillers and injections no longer help enough;
• X-rays show advanced joint damage.

The decision is always individual and made by an orthopaedic surgeon after examination. International guidance such as NICE NG157 says surgery should not be refused purely on age or weight, but other health conditions should be well controlled first. If you are unsure whether the time is right, a second opinion can help.

Types of implant and what treatment includes

A total knee replacement resurfaces the ends of the thigh and shin bones and often the back of the kneecap. A partial (unicompartmental) replacement replaces only the worn part of the joint and suits a smaller group of patients with arthritis limited to one area. The choice of implant and fixation is the surgeon’s decision.

A typical treatment plan in Istanbul includes:

• consultation with the orthopaedic surgeon and the anaesthetist;
• pre-operative tests – blood tests, ECG, X-rays and, if needed, MRI or CT and a cardiology review;
• surgery under spinal or general anaesthesia;
• an inpatient stay with pain control, blood-clot prevention and early physiotherapy;
• a check-up before you fly home and a written rehabilitation programme.

How to choose a hospital and surgeon

Look past the brochure photographs and ask specific questions:

• Who exactly will operate, and are they a specialist in orthopaedics and traumatology?
• How many knee replacements does the team perform, and which implant (manufacturer and model) is proposed?
• Does the hospital have intensive care and a physiotherapist on the ward?
• How are infection and blood clots prevented, and what happens if a complication appears after you return home?
• What exactly is included in the written plan, and what is not?

You can read the profiles of our doctors and the information on the partner hospitals. As an example, orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Op. Dr. Gökhan Tolga Akbulut graduated in medicine from Istanbul University in 2004 and completed his orthopaedics and traumatology specialty at Hacettepe University in Ankara in 2012. He is a faculty member at Istanbul Esenyurt University, his main fields include knee, hip and shoulder replacement, and he operates in a hospital licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Useful documents to bring: standing X-rays of both knees, any previous MRI scans, a list of your medicines, discharge letters from earlier operations and details of allergies and long-term conditions.

Preparing before you travel

Good preparation lowers the risk of complications and of surgery being postponed once you arrive:

• Long-term conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease should be well controlled; your GP or cardiologist can review you beforehand.
• Infections. Dental infections, skin wounds and urinary infections should be treated first, because they raise the risk of an infected implant.
• Medicines. Ask which medicines, especially blood thinners, need to be stopped or switched, and when.
• Smoking. Stopping at least several weeks before surgery helps wounds heal.
• Home and companion. Travel with a companion if you can, and prepare your home – remove loose rugs, set up a firm chair and make the bathroom easy to reach.

The process step by step

1. Records review. You share X-rays and medical details securely, and the orthopaedic surgeon assesses whether surgery is appropriate.
2. Written plan. You receive a plan covering the operation, hospital, surgeon, length of stay and follow-up. With New City Clinic the first consultation is free and the plan is usually ready within 24 hours.
3. Travel. Airport pick-up, a hotel close to the hospital and a meeting with your coordinator.
4. Surgery and hospital stay. Usually a few days in hospital, with walking started on the first or second day.
5. Recovery in Istanbul. Physiotherapy and a wound check follow; the surgeon decides when it is safe to fly. The total stay is often around two weeks.
6. Follow-up at home. Rehabilitation continues at home, with contact with your surgeon and check-ups and X-rays on an agreed schedule.

New City Clinic coordinates the surgeon, hospital, hotel, transfers and interpreter – see Treatment in Türkiye for details.

Recovery and rehabilitation at home

Rehabilitation is half of the result. In the first weeks you walk with a frame or crutches, do bending and straightening exercises every day, and the swelling settles gradually. Arrange a physiotherapist at home before you travel, so there is no gap.

• Many people return to light daily activities after about six weeks, while full recovery takes several months.
• Driving, work and sport resume when your surgeon advises.
• Walking, swimming and static cycling are good long-term choices; see physical activity.
• If the other knee or a hip is also affected, read about hip replacement.

Risks and when to see a doctor

Knee replacement is a well-established operation, but its risks do not depend on the country: infection, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, stiffness, persistent pain, and loosening or wear of the implant. Flying soon after surgery adds to the risk of blood clots, so follow the advice on anticoagulants, movement and compression stockings carefully.

Seek medical help promptly if you develop a fever, redness or discharge from the wound, severe new pain, or a swollen, painful calf. Breathlessness or chest pain needs emergency care – call 112.

Insurance and paperwork

EU residents can ask their health insurer – in Bulgaria, НЗОК – whether planned treatment abroad can be reimbursed under the S2 route or the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive 2011/24/EU. Turkey is not an EU member, so these rules usually do not apply directly; check in advance rather than assume. Ask for a discharge summary and implant details in English – the implant record matters for any future check-ups at home.