Orthopedic Abroad — Medical Travel
Orthopedic surgery in Turkey

World-class orthopedic surgery, planned end to end.

Knee, hip, shoulder and spine surgery with fellowship-trained surgeons at accredited hospitals in Turkey. Independent record review, fixed-price packages and source-backed cost comparisons.

Get a personalised quote Explore procedures
48h
record review
50–80%
lower than US prices
12 mo
remote follow-up
Orthopedic surgery in Turkey: a surgeon explaining a knee implant plan to a patient, with a globe and flight route behind them

Record review

Reply in 48h

vs US self-pay

−77%

9 hospitals profiled

Antalya · Istanbul · Ankara

Hospitals we work with across Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya

Antalya Yaşam Hospital logoBHT CLINIC LOGOBiruni University Hospital LOGOÇankaya Hospital for Orthopedic Care LOGOGüven Hospital logoHisar Intercontinental Hospital logoLiv Hospital Ankara LOGOMedical Park Istanbul LOGOOlimpos Hospital LOGOAcıbadem Healthcare Group logoMemorial Healthcare Group logoMedicana Health Group logoMedipol Global logo
Where does it hurt?

Pick the body area. Everything else is connected.

Each condition links to the procedures that treat it, each procedure to its hospitals, surgeons, Turkey page and cost guide. Choose an area to see what it covers.

Browse all conditions

The platform in numbers

Documented, priced and dated.

Every figure below comes from the live database: the guides we have written, the hospitals we have profiled and the price records our Price Engine has verified.

Price records last verified 5 oct. 2026.

  • 61

    Procedure guides

    each with a Turkey page and a cost guide

  • 66

    Condition guides

    symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and self-care

  • 753+

    Approved price records

    benchmarks across 19 countries

  • 9

    Hospitals profiled

    in 3 Turkish cities, from their own published pages

  • 48 hours

    to review your records

  • 2–4 weeks

    from plan to surgery date

  • 12 months

    remote follow-up after you fly home

  • 4 languages

    English, Arabic, French and German coordinators

Full orthopedic coverage

Every procedure, one coordinated journey.

61 orthopedic procedures across knee, hip, shoulder, spine, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, and elbow, each with a medical guide, a Turkey planning page and a cost comparison.

All procedures

Hover to pause. Select a procedure to open its guide.

Price intelligence

Real prices. Real sources. No guesswork.

Our Price Engine maintains approved, source-backed benchmark ranges for 8+ countries and updates them on a rolling cycle. Every cost guide shows what is included, how the comparison was built and when it was last verified.

Turkey package $7,500 – $12,500Save ~77% vs United States
Total Knee Replacement cost guide All cost guides

Typical self-pay range by country

Turkey partner package Benchmark estimate
$20k$40k$60k
United States
$27k – $60k
Australia
$18k – $43k
United Arab Emirates
$17k – $39k
Canada
$16k – $36k
Saudi Arabia
$14k – $35k
United Kingdom
$14k – $30k
Germany
$11k – $30k
France
$10k – $27k
Turkey (partner)
$7.5k – $13k
Patient journey

One coordinator, eight clear steps.

From your first message to your final follow-up at home, the pathway is the same one you would expect from a leading hospital in your own country.

Read the full journey
  1. 01

    Why Turkey for Orthopedic Surgery

    Accredited hospitals, high-volume surgeons, direct flights and transparent pricing: why Turkey has become a leading destination for joint, spine and sports surgery.

  2. 02

    Medical Record Review

    How to prepare your imaging and reports so a partner surgeon can confirm the diagnosis, plan and price before you travel.

  3. 03

    Treatment Planning & Quote

    Understanding your treatment plan, what the package includes, validity dates and how to compare quotes fairly.

  4. 04

    Travel & Accommodation

    Flights, visas, recovery-friendly hotels and what to pack for surgery in Turkey.

  5. 05

    Hospital Admission

    Consultation, pre-operative tests, consent and what to expect on admission day.

  6. 06

    Surgery Day

    What happens before, during and immediately after your operation.

  7. 07

    Rehabilitation & Recovery

    Physiotherapy in hospital and at your hotel, milestones by procedure type and how to continue at home.

  8. 08

    Follow-up After Returning Home

    Remote follow-up schedule, wound care, warning signs and how to reach your surgeon.

Why Turkey

Why Turkey became a leading destination for orthopedic surgery.

Volume, infrastructure and reach, backed by public figures rather than brochure claims.

Orthopedics in Turkey

  • 1.5M+

    international health visitors in 2024

    1,506,442 people, up more than 20% on 2023 (Turkish Statistical Institute)

  • $3B

    health-tourism revenue in 2024

    about USD 3.0 billion (Turkish Statistical Institute)

  • ~40

    JCI-accredited hospitals

    among the highest national counts in the world, most of them in Istanbul

  • 122

    countries served by Turkish Airlines

    285 destinations; more countries than any other airline (Guinness World Records)

  • 77%

    typical saving vs US self-pay

    total knee replacement, contracted package against approved benchmarks

  1. 01

    Volume breeds expertise

    Large private hospitals in Istanbul and Ankara run dedicated orthopedic units where joint replacement, arthroscopy and spine surgery are daily work, not occasional cases.

  2. 02

    Regulated for international patients

    Facilities treating patients from abroad need an international health tourism authorisation from the Ministry of Health, on top of national licensing and any JCI or ISO accreditation they hold.

  3. 03

    Modern equipment, familiar implants

    Robotic-arm joint replacement, navigation, 3 Tesla MRI and arthroscopy towers from the same manufacturers used in Western Europe and North America, with implants from established global brands.

  4. 04

    One price, one coordinator

    All-inclusive packages cover surgeon, anaesthesia, implants, hospital stay and transfers, with a written validity window. Flights, hotel nights and insurance stay separate and visible.

  5. 05

    Short, direct journeys

    Istanbul is a 3 to 5 hour flight from most of Europe, the Gulf and North Africa, with direct services from more than 120 countries.

  6. 06

    Recovery-friendly cities

    Mediterranean and Aegean cities offer mild winters, flat waterfront walks and hotels used to post-operative guests; the capital offers calm and specialist clinics.

Direct flights to Istanbul

Typical non-stop flight times

  • Londonabout 4 h
  • Parisabout 3.5 h
  • Berlinabout 3 h
  • Dubaiabout 4.5 h
  • Riyadhabout 4 h
  • Casablancaabout 5 h
  • New Yorkabout 10 h

Times are approximate scheduled durations. Our flying after surgery guide covers when it is safe to fly home.

Sources: Turkish Statistical Institute health tourism data, 2024 · JCI-accredited hospitals by country · Turkish Airlines network 2025

Hospitals

Hospitals in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya.

Each profile is written from the hospital's own published pages: orthopedic services, technology, accreditations as the hospital states them, and what we could not verify.

All hospitals
Antalya

Antalya Yaşam Hospital

Private hospital in Muratpaşa, Antalya, with an orthopedics and traumatology department

61 proceduresView
Istanbul

BHT Clinic Istanbul Tema Hospital

Large private hospital in Atakent, Küçükçekmece, with an orthopedics and traumatology unit

61 proceduresView
Istanbul

Biruni University Hospital

University hospital in Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, with a published orthopedics and traumatology department

61 proceduresView
Ankara

Çankaya Hospital for Orthopedic Care

Çankaya Hospital for Orthopedic Care is an orthopedic hospital in central Ankara with robotic-arm assisted surgery

61 proceduresView
Ankara

Güven Hospital

General hospital in Kavaklıdere, Ankara, serving orthopedic and international patients since 1975

61 proceduresView
Istanbul

Hisar Intercontinental Hospital

JCI-accredited multi-specialty hospital in Ümraniye with a dedicated orthopedics and traumatology unit

61 proceduresView
Partner surgeons

Matched to the right subspecialist, not the nearest one.

Surgeons are independent entities in our network, each linked to the procedures, conditions and hospitals they actually work with.

Meet all surgeons

Prof. Dr. Elif Kaya

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Robotic knee and hip replacement

· Istanbul24 yrs · 6,200+ ops

Prof. Dr. Selin Arslan

Professor of Neurosurgery & Spine Surgery

Endoscopic and motion-preserving spine surgery

· Istanbul22 yrs · 5,100+ ops

Op. Dr. Can Yildiz

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Shoulder & Elbow

Rotator cuff repair and shoulder replacement

· Istanbul14 yrs · 3,300+ ops
Questions

Everything patients ask before they travel.

54 answers, grouped by topic. Filter by category or search a word.

54 questions

How does Orthopedics Abroad work?
You send your imaging and reports through the quote form. A partner surgeon in the right subspecialty reviews them within 48 hours and returns a written plan with a fixed package price. If you proceed, we schedule the surgery, arrange transfers and accommodation, and coordinate your care in Turkey and your follow-up at home.
Is the record review free?
Yes. The surgeon's review of your scans and reports, the written plan and the quote cost nothing and carry no obligation. You only pay once you have accepted a plan and confirmed a surgery date.
What should I send for a review?
Recent imaging (X-rays, MRI or CT as image files or a disc link), the radiologist's report, previous operation notes if any, a list of your medicines and a short description of your symptoms and how they limit you. Our medical record review guide lists everything.
How quickly can surgery be scheduled?
Once you accept the plan, surgery is usually scheduled within two to four weeks, depending on the surgeon's diary, your travel and any tests still needed. Urgent injuries such as fractures should be treated locally first.
Can I get a second opinion before deciding?
Yes. Many patients send us a treatment plan they already have at home. A partner surgeon reviews it and tells you whether they agree, whether a different procedure fits better, or whether surgery is not needed at all.
Do I speak to the surgeon before I travel?
Yes. After the record review you can have a video consultation with the surgeon who would operate, to go through the plan, the implant, the risks and your questions, before you confirm anything.
Who is my point of contact?
One coordinator stays with you from the first message to your follow-up at home. They handle the surgeon, the hospital, transfers and accommodation, and speak English, Arabic, French or German.
How much can I save compared with the US or UK?
Package prices for joint replacement, spine and sports surgery are typically 50 to 80 percent below US self-pay prices and well below UK private prices. Each cost guide shows the live Turkey package next to approved benchmarks for up to ten countries.
What does the package price include?
Surgeon and anaesthetist fees, the implant, operating theatre, hospital stay, in-hospital physiotherapy, medication during the stay, pre-operative tests, airport and hospital transfers and your coordinator. The exact list is printed on your quote.
What is not included?
Flights, hotel nights outside the hospital, a companion's costs, travel and complication insurance, treatment of unrelated conditions and rehabilitation at home. Our cost guides show a full trip budget so nothing surprises you.
Is the price fixed?
Yes. Every quote names the package version, its validity window and the implant assumptions. If your surgery date falls inside the window and the plan does not change at the in-person assessment, the price does not change.
Where do your benchmark prices come from?
From approved records in our Price Engine: hospital self-pay pages, government tariffs, insurer datasets and reputable market sources, converted to USD and shown as a 20th to 80th percentile range. Each cost guide explains the method and the last verification date.
How do I pay?
A deposit confirms your surgery date; the balance is paid on arrival or at discharge by bank transfer or card, in the currency named on the quote. Refund and cancellation terms are written into the quote before you pay anything.
What happens to the price if the surgeon finds something extra during surgery?
Your quote states how add-ons are handled, for example a meniscus repair found during a ligament reconstruction. Ask for that line before you travel; we never charge for extra work without a written explanation.
Can I pay in instalments or use a medical loan?
We do not provide financing. Some patients use a personal loan or a medical loan from their own bank; compare the total repayment figure carefully, because interest adds to the real cost of surgery.
Are the hospitals accredited?
Most hospitals we work with state JCI, ISO or national accreditation on their own pages, and each hospital profile repeats exactly what the hospital publishes, including what we could not verify. Ask your coordinator for current certificates before you travel; validity dates change.
How are surgeons selected?
By subspecialty and volume. A knee replacement goes to a surgeon who does joint replacement every week, not to a generalist. Surgeons are board certified, most hold fellowships in Europe or North America, and we match you to the right subspecialist rather than the nearest one.
Which implants are used?
Implants and fixation devices from established global manufacturers, the same brands used in leading Western hospitals. The implant assumption is written on your quote, and you receive the implant card or stickers after surgery for your records.
Do the hospitals use robotic surgery?
Several partner hospitals offer robotic-arm assisted knee and hip replacement and computer navigation. Robotic procedures are priced separately; the surgeon will tell you whether the technology adds value in your case.
Can I choose my surgeon or hospital?
Yes. Tell us your preference and we will check availability. If the surgeon you name is not the best fit for your condition, we say so and explain why.
Will the surgeon who reviewed my records be the one operating?
Yes. The surgeon named on your plan and consent form performs the operation. If a change is ever necessary, you are told before travelling and may decline.
What languages do the hospital staff speak?
International patient departments work in English, and the hospitals we profile list their interpreter services. Your coordinator is present for consultations and can translate in Arabic, French or German.
How long will I stay in hospital?
It depends on the operation: most arthroscopies are day cases, joint replacements usually mean 2 to 3 nights, and spinal fusion 2 to 4 nights. Each procedure page states the typical stay.
How long should I stay in Turkey after surgery?
Usually 5 to 10 days in total, covering assessment, surgery, early physiotherapy, a wound check and clearance to fly. Longer operations such as spinal fusion or revision surgery need more time; your plan gives the exact number.
Who does my physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy starts in hospital, often on the day of surgery or the next morning. You leave with a written protocol that your physiotherapist at home can follow, and our rehabilitation guide explains each phase.
When can I fly home?
After the surgeon's clearance, typically 3 to 7 days after surgery depending on the operation. Our flying after surgery guide covers clot prevention, seating and what to carry on board.
What does recovery look like after a knee or hip replacement?
Walking with support on day one, stairs before discharge, driving after about 6 weeks, desk work in 4 to 6 weeks and most daily activities by 3 months. Strength and confidence keep improving for a year.
Will I be in pain?
Modern anaesthesia, nerve blocks and a planned medication schedule keep pain manageable, and you leave hospital with medicines and a written plan. Pain is expected in the first weeks and settles as healing progresses.
Can I combine two procedures in one trip?
Sometimes, for example both knees or a ligament and meniscus repair. The surgeon decides what is safe; staged surgery is often better for recovery, and the quote shows the difference either way.
Which cities do you work in?
Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. Istanbul has the largest choice of hospitals and the most direct flights; Ankara offers calm and specialist orthopedic centres; Antalya suits patients who want a milder climate for recovery.
Do I need a visa?
Many nationalities enter visa-free or with an e-Visa; others need a visa from a consulate. Check the official Turkish e-Visa site for your passport, and allow time before your surgery date.
Should I bring a companion?
We strongly recommend it after joint replacement, spine surgery or any operation that limits walking. A companion helps with bags, stairs and meals and can take notes in consultations. Our companion guide explains their role.
Where do I stay?
Near the hospital, in a hotel with a lift and a step-free bathroom. Your coordinator proposes options that work for post-operative guests; the package covers transfers between airport, hotel and hospital.
Are transfers included?
Yes. Airport pick-up, hospital transfers and the return to the airport are part of the package. A driver meets you at arrivals with your name.
What should I pack?
Loose clothing, flat shoes, your medicines and prescriptions, your imaging and reports, chargers and travel insurance documents. Our travel and accommodation guide has a full checklist.
Can my family visit me in hospital?
Yes. Partner hospitals have private rooms and most allow a companion to stay overnight. Ask your coordinator about the specific hospital's policy.
Will my insurance cover surgery abroad?
Rarely for elective surgery, although some employer and private plans reimburse part of the cost. Ask your insurer in writing before you book. We provide itemised invoices and full medical documentation to support any claim.
What documents do I receive after surgery?
A discharge summary, the operation report, implant details, imaging, prescriptions and a physiotherapy protocol, all in English, so your doctor at home has everything they need.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, and specifically a medical travel policy that covers complications and repatriation; standard holiday insurance usually excludes planned surgery. Read the exclusions around pre-existing conditions.
Can my GP or home surgeon follow me up?
Yes. Many patients arrange follow-up with their own doctor or physiotherapist before travelling. We send your records to them with your permission and stay available for questions.
Is my data safe?
Your imaging and reports are stored securely and shared only with the surgeon and hospital treating you. Our privacy policy explains what we keep and for how long.
Do I sign a contract?
You receive a written quote with inclusions, validity, refund and complication terms, and the hospital's own consent forms before surgery. Keep copies; they are the documents an insurer or lawyer would ask for.
Is orthopedic surgery in Turkey safe?
It is as safe as the hospital and surgeon you choose. Turkey treats more than a million international patients a year, licenses facilities for foreign patients and hosts one of the largest groups of JCI-accredited hospitals in the world. We only work with hospitals we have profiled.
What if something goes wrong after surgery?
Problems in the first days are handled by the operating team in Turkey. Your quote states what the package covers if you need a review, an extra night or a return to theatre. Later problems at home are managed with your local doctor and our remote follow-up.
How does the 12-month follow-up work?
Scheduled video or photo reviews with the surgeon's team at the intervals your plan sets, usually at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and a year, plus a coordinator you can message whenever a question comes up.
Which conditions should not be treated abroad?
Fresh fractures, infections, nerve compression with weakness, cauda equina symptoms and any emergency belong in a local hospital. Treatment abroad is for stable patients and planned operations, as every condition page states.
Are there risks specific to travelling for surgery?
Blood clots on long flights, a weaker link with your home doctor and the cost of a second trip if a problem appears months later. We reduce them with clot prevention, written records for your home team and a clear complication policy, but they do not disappear.
Can I see outcome data?
Hospitals publish different amounts of data, and we repeat only what they state. Ask the surgeon for their annual volume and complication policy in the video consultation; a confident team answers directly.
Why is Turkey so popular for orthopedic surgery?
Large private hospitals with high surgical volumes, modern equipment, government regulation of international patient care, direct flights from more than 120 countries and prices far below Western Europe and North America. Our Why Turkey section lists the figures.
How many international patients does Turkey treat?
More than 1.5 million people visited Turkey for health reasons in 2024 according to the Turkish Statistical Institute, generating about USD 3 billion. Orthopedics is one of the main specialties alongside dental, eye and cosmetic care.
Is the care comparable with Western Europe?
In the large private hospitals, the surgeons trained in the same fellowships, the implants come from the same manufacturers and the equipment is current. What differs is cost structure and waiting time, not the operation itself.
Which currency are prices in?
Quotes are issued in USD or EUR and stay fixed in that currency for the validity window, so exchange-rate movements in Turkish lira do not change what you pay.
Is it easy to get around Istanbul after surgery?
Your transfers are arranged, and hotels near the hospitals have lifts and step-free access. Hospital districts are flat; plan short walks rather than sightseeing until the surgeon clears longer outings.
What is the best season to travel?
Spring and autumn are mild everywhere. Summers are hot in Istanbul and Antalya but hospitals and hotels are air-conditioned; winters are cold in Ankara. For recovery, comfort matters more than the season.

Send your imaging. Get a surgeon's plan and a fixed price within 48 hours.

No obligation. Reviewed by a subspecialist, not a sales team.

Get a personalised quoteHow record review works