Knee replacement in India: a guide for international patients

Yes, international patients can have a knee replacement in India, and many families plan it the same way: send the knee X-rays and reports first, get a surgeon’s opinion and a written estimate, then travel on an Indian e-Medical visa with one or two family members. The surgeon decides whether you need a total or a partial knee replacement, and whether robotic assistance is used. Recovery continues at home, so planning physiotherapy after you fly back matters as much as the operation.

This guide is for the patient and for the son, daughter or spouse organising the trip. It is general information, not medical advice. Only the orthopaedic surgeon who examines the knee and reads the reports can say what is right for you.

What a knee replacement is, and who it is for

The NHS describes knee replacement as surgery that replaces the damaged parts of the knee joint with metal or plastic parts. It can replace the whole joint (a total knee replacement) or only part of it (a partial knee replacement), depending on how much of the knee is damaged.

It is most commonly done for pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. The NHS says it may be considered when other treatments or lifestyle changes have not worked and knee pain is affecting daily life: walking to the market, climbing stairs, standing in church or at the mosque, sleeping through the night.

Not everyone with knee pain needs surgery. Exercises, weight management, medicines, injections or other procedures may come first. Max Healthcare notes that age alone is not usually a limiting factor; what matters is the state of the knee and the patient’s overall health. That is why the first step is to send reports, not to buy a ticket.

Total, partial and robotic-assisted: the options explained

Total knee replacement

According to the NHS, total knee replacement is the most common type. The lower end of the thigh bone and the upper end of the shin bone are replaced with metal and plastic parts, and some people also have the back of the kneecap resurfaced. The operation usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, under a general anaesthetic (asleep) or a spinal anaesthetic (awake but numb from the waist down).

Partial knee replacement

A partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement is used when arthritis affects only one side of the knee. Only that side is replaced, the cut is smaller and the NHS says recovery is usually quicker.

A large review of 60 studies, summarised by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), found that partial replacements had some short-term advantages, such as shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. It also found that partial replacements were more likely to need a second operation (a revision): about 8.8% at five years, compared with 3.2% for total replacements. The review estimated that 25% to 47% of people who need a knee replacement in the UK might be suitable for either type. That review dates from 2019, and your surgeon will explain what applies to you.

Robotic-assisted knee replacement

Several hospitals in India now say they offer robotic help for knee replacement:

• Max Healthcare says it offers total, partial and robot-assisted knee replacement “for eligible patients”, to support precise implant positioning and alignment.
• Medanta said in August 2025 that Dr. Ashok Rajgopal had completed 40,000 knee replacements, including more than 1,500 robotic-assisted ones. Medanta’s orthopaedics page also lists a computer navigation system that guides the surgeon’s cuts.
• Moolchand says it uses robotic-assisted joint replacement with CORI technology.

A robot does not operate on its own; the surgeon plans and controls the procedure. Whether robotic assistance is useful for your knee is a medical question, so ask the surgeon directly.

	Total knee replacement	Partial knee replacement	Robotic-assisted
What is replaced	Ends of the thigh and shin bones (sometimes the kneecap surface)	Only the damaged side of the knee	Total or partial, with robotic guidance
Who it suits	Wider damage across the knee	Arthritis in one compartment only	Decided by the surgeon, case by case
Recovery	Several months for full recovery (NHS)	Usually quicker than total (NHS)	Ask the surgeon what to expect
Driving again (NHS)	At least 6 weeks	At least 3 weeks	Follows the type of replacement

Step 1: Send the right reports

A good first opinion depends on good information. Before any hospital can advise you, it usually needs:

• Recent X-rays of both knees, ideally standing (weight-bearing) views. Send the images themselves, not only the report.
• Any MRI or CT scans you already have. Max Healthcare says X-rays, CT or MRI may be used to assess damage and plan surgery.
• Blood test results, and reports on other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
• A list of all medicines, especially blood thinners, which may need to be stopped or adjusted before surgery.
• A short note describing the pain, how far the patient can walk, and any past knee surgery or injections.

Photos taken with a phone are fine to start with, as long as they are clear. With Healway Global, you simply send these on WhatsApp and we share them with the orthopaedic teams.

Step 2: The surgeon’s opinion and the written estimate

The orthopaedic team reviews the reports and replies with an opinion: whether surgery is advised, which type, one knee or both, and what tests are needed on arrival. Where the hospital offers it, a video consultation lets you speak to the surgeon before deciding.

You then receive a written estimate from the hospital. It should list the procedure, the expected number of days in hospital, the room category and what is included. Costs depend on the hospital, the implant chosen, whether one or both knees are done, and the patient’s health, so we do not publish prices. Ask what happens if extra days or tests are needed, and read our page on fees to see how Healway Global is paid.

Step 3: The medical visa and travel

Most international patients travel on India’s e-Medical visa, applied for online at the official portal. According to that portal:

• The patient applies for an e-Medical visa with a scan of the passport bio page and a letter from the Indian hospital on its letterhead, giving the date or tentative date of admission.
• Up to two family members can travel on e-Medical Attendant visas linked to the patient’s visa.
• You can apply at least 4 days and up to 120 days before arrival.
• e-Visas cannot be extended or converted, so plan your dates with the hospital first.

Choose an aisle seat if you can, and tell the airline if you need a wheelchair at the airport. If you live in a country such as Nigeria, our country pages explain the usual routes to Delhi.

Step 4: Surgery and the hospital stay

The NHS says patients are usually admitted on the day of the operation. Max Healthcare says patients are encouraged to stand and begin walking with assistance within 24 hours of surgery, and the physiotherapy team starts exercises early.

According to the NHS, people can usually go home 1 to 4 days after surgery, once there are no signs of complications and they can move around safely with crutches. A nurse usually removes stitches or clips after about 10 days, and a follow-up appointment is usually around 6 weeks. If both knees are operated on, or the patient has other health conditions, the stay may be longer. Your surgeon will tell you how long to remain in India before flying home.

Risks to know about

Every operation carries risks. The NHS lists blood clots, wound infection, damage to nerves or blood vessels, ongoing pain or stiffness, and, less commonly, needing another replacement. To lower the risk of clots, the NHS says patients are usually given compression stockings and most wear them for at least 6 weeks. Ask the team which signs mean you should call them, both in India and at home.

Step 5: Recovery after you fly home

Much of the recovery happens after you leave India, so plan it before you travel. Here is what the NHS and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) describe:

1. Walking aids: crutches or a frame at first, then a stick. The NHS suggests trying to walk without an aid after about 6 weeks, if you feel ready.
2. Exercises every day: AAOS advises continuing the prescribed physiotherapy exercises for at least 2 months. Find a physiotherapist near home before you travel.
3. Swelling: AAOS says mild to moderate swelling can last about 3 to 6 months.
4. Daily life: the NHS advises not crossing the legs for the first 6 weeks, not kneeling until your doctor says so, and avoiding heavy housework for about 3 months.
5. Work and driving: the NHS says most people return to work after about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the job. Driving waits at least 6 weeks after a total, or 3 weeks after a partial replacement.
6. Long term: the NHS says knee replacements can last 25 years. AAOS recommends low-impact activities like walking, swimming and cycling, and asking your doctor whether you need antibiotics before dental work.

Flying with a new knee

AAOS says to ask your doctor before flying, because air pressure changes and sitting still can cause swelling in the healing leg. It also notes that the implant may set off airport metal detectors, so tell security staff and carry a card or letter saying you have an artificial joint.

Questions to ask the surgeon

Take this list to your video consultation or first meeting:

• Do I need a total or a partial knee replacement, and why?
• Should both knees be done, and if so, at the same time or separately?
• Will robotic assistance or navigation be used, and what difference does it make for me?
• Which implant do you plan to use, and is it included in the estimate?
• How many days will I be in hospital, and how long should I stay in India before flying?
• When will physiotherapy start, and what exercises should I continue at home?
• What should I do about my blood pressure, diabetes or blood-thinning medicines?
• Who do I contact if I have a problem after I return home?

Hospitals and doctors for knee replacement

Healway Global works with JCI and NABH accredited hospitals in and around Delhi and Gurugram. For knee replacement, families often ask about:

• Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, where the orthopaedics institute is led by Dr. Ashok Rajgopal, Group Chairman.
• Max Healthcare, where Dr. Sujoy Bhattacharjee is Chairman and Chief of the Max Institute of Robotic Joint Replacement.
• Moolchand Hospital, where Dr. Rajeev K. Sharma is Chairman of the Moolchand Orthopaedics Institute.
• Artemis Hospital, where Dr. I P S Oberoi leads robotic joint replacement and arthroscopy.

You can see more surgeons on our orthopaedic care page. The right hospital for you depends on your reports, your budget and the surgeon’s advice, not on a ranking.

How Healway Global can help

Healway Global is a medical travel company based in Gurugram, close to the hospitals where our patients are treated. We help families from Africa, the Middle East and beyond plan treatment in India, one step at a time.

• WhatsApp first, no forms. Send one message and a real person replies, in English, French or Arabic.
• Only JCI and NABH accredited hospitals. We work with Medanta, Max Healthcare and Artemis, and with others such as Moolchand on request. See them all on our hospitals page.
• A written estimate before you travel, and you pay the hospital directly.
• Video consultation first, where the hospital offers it, so you can meet the surgeon before deciding.
• Help with the visa letter and with planning dates so the e-Medical visa fits your stay.
• Airport to airport. We meet you on arrival, help with your stay and stay with you through every hospital day, until you fly home.

We never promise outcomes, and we will tell you honestly if we think surgery in India is not the best option for you. To start, read how it works, see our guide to heart surgery in India, or simply send us a message on WhatsApp with the knee X-rays you have.