Orthopedic Surgery in Turkey

Joint replacement, sports injuries and spine-adjacent orthopedics, explained honestly.

Turkey treats a very high volume of international orthopedic patients each year, above all for knee, hip and shoulder replacement, arthroscopic sports repairs and scoliosis correction. Hospitals authorised for international patients use the same implant brands (Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Synthes and others) sold in the UK and Germany, and modern joint replacement is a well-established, high-volume procedure worldwide rather than an experimental one, so the technique itself does not change by travelling. What changes is price and access: a joint replacement often costs a third to a half of the UK or German price, with shorter waiting times. A typical hospital stay is 3 to 5 days, with a further week of supervised mobility work before flying home is advisable. Navivera matches you with a licensed orthopedic team, gets your imaging reviewed before you travel, and one Care Navigator coordinates the trip and your rehab handover.

Procedures covered

Knee, Hip and Shoulder Replacement: A worn or damaged joint is replaced with a metal, ceramic or plastic implant. Full or partial replacement depending on how much of the joint is affected.
Arthroscopy (Meniscus, Rotator Cuff): Keyhole surgery using a camera and small instruments to repair torn cartilage or tendons, with a shorter recovery than open surgery.
ACL/MCL Reconstruction: Rebuilding a torn knee ligament, usually with a tendon graft from your own body or a donor, to restore stability for sport and daily activity.
Scoliosis Correction: Surgical straightening and fusion of an abnormally curved spine using rods and screws, typically for curves that have progressed beyond bracing.

Orthopedic surgeon reviewing a knee X-ray with a patient at a licensed hospital in Istanbul

Why patients travel to Turkey for orthopedic surgery

Turkey’s leading orthopedic centres perform joint replacement and sports surgery at a volume that keeps surgical teams and physiotherapy departments in constant practice, using the same internationally recognised implant brands used across Western Europe. Combined with Ministry of Health licensing for international patient care and considerably lower staff, facility and implant procurement costs, the result is the same surgery at a fraction of the price, often with a much shorter wait than a public health system at home.

Who is a good candidate

Joint replacement suits patients with advanced arthritis or joint damage confirmed on X-ray or MRI where conservative treatment (physiotherapy, injections, medication) no longer controls the pain. Arthroscopic repairs suit clear structural tears rather than general wear. Scoliosis surgery is usually reserved for curves that have progressed past the point where bracing or physiotherapy can help, confirmed by a spine specialist. Uncontrolled diabetes, active infection or significant cardiac risk need to be assessed and may need clearance from your own doctor first — a serious clinic will ask for this before confirming surgery.

How pricing works, and why you will not find a price list here

The price of a joint replacement depends mainly on the implant brand and material, whether one or both sides are done, the hospital class, and the length of hospital stay. Because implant choice is a clinical decision based on your bone quality, age and activity level, a single headline number would either mislead or describe the cheapest implant available. We would rather have a surgeon review your imaging and send a written, itemised quote naming the implant brand within 24 hours, with no change once you commit.

What to check before you book anywhere

Turkey has an official licensing system for facilities treating international patients, but not every clinic advertising abroad is part of it. Before booking, it is worth asking:

Is the hospital authorised by the Ministry of Health to treat international patients, and who is the operating surgeon (name, specialty, years of experience with this procedure)?
Which implant brand is quoted, in writing, and what is its expected lifespan?
Was the plan made from your own imaging (X-ray/MRI), or only from a description of your symptoms?
What physiotherapy is included, and for how long, before you fly home?
What is the process if a complication arises after you return home?

You can check the first question yourself: the Ministry of Health publishes its list of certified healthcare providers and facilitators on HealthTürkiye. Navivera is happy to be checked there too.

How Navivera approaches it

We only work with hospitals holding Ministry of Health authorisation for international patients, and we ask each one the questions above before proposing them. Your Care Navigator collects your imaging, arranges a surgeon’s written plan and implant naming, coordinates the trip and in-hospital physiotherapy, and hands you a clear rehab plan for when you are home, staying your single point of contact throughout.

A typical trip: 8 to 12 days

Before you flyYour X-ray or MRI and medical history are reviewed by a surgeon, who proposes the implant and confirms your written quote.
Days 1 to 2Arrival, pre-operative assessment (bloodwork, anaesthesia review) and final consultation with the surgeon.
Day 3Surgery, typically 1 to 3 hours depending on the joint and technique, under general or spinal anaesthesia.
Days 4 to 8Hospital stay with daily physiotherapy to begin safe movement; pain management is adjusted throughout.
Days 9 to 12Discharge to a hotel for supervised mobility work, wound check, and a rehab plan for your return home before flying.

Recovery: what to expect

Weeks 1 to 3Walking with crutches or a frame, physiotherapy exercises several times a day, wound care and swelling management.
Weeks 4 to 8Progressive weight-bearing and strength work; most patients return to light desk work within 4 to 6 weeks.
Months 3 to 6Return to most normal activities; full recovery of strength and range of motion for larger joints can take up to a year.

Orthopedic surgery in Turkey: frequently asked questions

Is joint replacement surgery in Turkey safe?

Yes, at hospitals authorised by the Ministry of Health for international patients, using recognised implant brands. Joint replacement is a standard, high-volume procedure worldwide; the risk lies in choosing an unlicensed provider, not in having the surgery in Turkey.

How long do I need to stay in Turkey?

Typically 8 to 12 days: a few days for assessment, the surgery, a hospital stay of roughly 3 to 5 days, and a further period of supervised mobility before flying is medically advisable.

Which implant brands are used?

Reputable hospitals use the same globally recognised brands sold in Western Europe, such as Zimmer Biomet, Stryker and DePuy Synthes. The brand should be named in your written quote.

Will I need physiotherapy after I return home?

Yes. You will start physiotherapy in Turkey, but ongoing sessions at home are part of a normal recovery; your Care Navigator helps arrange the handover with clear notes for your local physiotherapist.

Can both knees or hips be done at once?

Bilateral surgery is possible for some patients but carries a longer, harder recovery and is a decision your surgeon makes after examining you, not a default option.

Why does Navivera not show prices?

Because the price depends on the implant brand, whether one or both joints are treated, and the hospital class. We send an itemised, personalised quote within 24 hours of reviewing your imaging; it does not change once you commit.

This page is general information prepared by Navivera to help you plan; it is not medical advice. Your suitability for surgery, the implant and the rehab plan are decided by the treating surgeon after examining you and your imaging. Last reviewed: 6 September 2026.