| Service | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 🇹🇷 Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial knee replacement | from USD 1,124 (excluding implant) | from USD 8,000 | from USD 7,500 |
| Total knee replacement | from USD 1,124 (excluding implant) | from USD 10,000 | from USD 9,000 |
Prices in the “Ukraine” column come from MediUkraine’s partner clinics. The Czech Republic and Turkey columns show the lower bounds of prices published by clinics there (for Turkey, also the Turkish Dental Association’s recommended 2026 tariff), collected in August 2026 and converted to US dollars at the rate on the day of collection. A dash means we could not find a comparable published price. In any country, the final cost is set by the clinic after an examination.
The knee works like a hinge in which the bones are covered with cartilage and glide with almost no friction. When the cartilage wears away, exposed bone rubs against bone: hence pain with every step, morning stiffness and a gradual deviation of the leg's axis. A prosthesis does not restore cartilage; it removes the friction itself. The worn surfaces are trimmed and capped with metal components, and a polyethylene insert placed between them takes over the role of cartilage.
Surgery is considered when medication and physiotherapy have stopped working and pain wakes you at night and shortens the distance you can walk. Age in itself is neither an indication nor a contraindication: what matters is the condition of the bone, your level of physical activity and any coexisting heart, vascular or metabolic conditions. That is why the decision is made not by an X-ray but by the orthopaedic surgeon together with you, after an examination and a conversation about the everyday loads you need your knee to handle.
The extent of knee replacement depends on how many compartments are affected: from replacing one compartment to a total replacement. The surgeon removes the damaged areas of bone and cartilage and fits components that reproduce the natural shape of the joint. A minimally invasive approach, careful pre-operative planning and modern implants reduce blood loss, lower the risk of complications and shorten the hospital stay.
Most patients are on their feet 1–2 days after surgery and return to everyday activity within a few weeks. Knee osteoarthritis is a common orthopaedic condition after the age of 50, and it develops over years: first pain after exertion, then at rest, then deformity of the limb and restricted movement. The earlier you see an orthopaedic surgeon, the better the chances of a partial rather than a total replacement.
Travel. Ukrainian airspace is closed, so there are no commercial flights. Uzhhorod lies right on the border with Slovakia and close to Hungary, so patients usually arrive overland from one of these two countries, by car, bus or train.
Visas. Citizens of the EU, the United Kingdom and the United States do not need a visa for short stays in Ukraine. Rules depend on your citizenship, so check your own before booking.
Safety, plainly. Ukraine is at war. Air raid alerts occur across the country, including in Uzhhorod, and an appointment can be interrupted by one. Several governments advise against travel to Ukraine, and while that advice stands, ordinary travel and medical insurance is often void — confirm your cover with your insurer before you commit to anything.
Language. MediUkraine handles correspondence, scheduling, the written treatment plan and the quote in English. The clinic's team communicates with international patients in English.
Payment. You pay the clinic directly. Our coordination service is free of charge for you.
More on travel, safety and insurance: Safety and travel.
The method is chosen individually, taking into account how many compartments of the joint are affected, your age, level of physical activity and coexisting conditions. Orthopaedics offers several options, from partial replacement to total and revision surgery.
Partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement is used when only one compartment of the knee, medial or lateral, is damaged. Only the worn area is replaced, and the other structures (ligaments, bone, cartilage) remain your own. This means less tissue trauma, faster recovery and a more natural feel when walking: patients usually return to their normal routine within a few weeks.
Total knee replacement is performed for severe osteoarthritis or arthritis when several compartments of the joint are affected. The surgeon replaces the damaged surfaces of the femur and tibia with implants that closely follow the anatomy of the knee. Biocompatible materials, such as titanium, ceramics and modern polyethylene, are designed to withstand many years of load without loss of function.
A separate case is revision knee replacement: replacing or correcting a previously fitted prosthesis because of deformity or the after-effects of earlier operations. Where possible, a minimally invasive approach is used, with intra-operative checks on the accuracy of component placement, which directly affects how long the prosthesis lasts.
After knee replacement you go through not only surgical healing but also rehabilitation. In the first days swelling, moderate pain and a feeling of stiffness are possible; this is an expected reaction to surgery. Pain relief and physiotherapy gradually ease the discomfort, and from the second day you start moving the leg under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
The load is increased gradually: the first steps are taken with crutches or a walking frame, and walking unaided comes 1–2 weeks after surgery. You can usually drive after about a month, once muscle strength and coordination return. The orthopaedic surgeon decides at the follow-up check when you can fully return to your usual level of activity.
Moderate daily activity matters more than occasional intense sessions: exercises to mobilise the joint, short walks, light gymnastics. Swimming, the gym and active sports are only allowed with your doctor's approval. Drink enough fluids, eat well, and avoid falls, getting cold and high-impact loads.
Severe pain, a fever, increasing swelling or a sudden restriction of movement in the joint are reasons to contact the clinic immediately, without waiting for the scheduled check. The orthopaedic surgeon sets the date of the next follow-up visit at discharge.
Knee replacement does more than "remove the pain": it determines how naturally you will move afterwards. If keeping your mobility and independence matters to you, the key is choosing a technique that reproduces the biomechanics of the knee and gives stability when you bear weight. The accuracy of component placement matters as much as the implant model.
The type of prosthesis and the extent of surgery are chosen individually. Before the operation the orthopaedic surgeon examines you and assesses your bone condition, coexisting conditions and level of physical activity. If needed, further tests are ordered: an MRI or CT of the knee, blood tests, consultations with other specialists. Younger and active patients more often receive implants with higher wear resistance, and older patients receive models that give more stability when walking.
Not every case needs a total replacement. If the changes in the joint are moderate, the doctor may suggest a partial replacement or conservative treatment with physiotherapy and monitoring. The option is chosen after full diagnostics, taking into account your lifestyle and the loads you expect your knee to handle.
When planning a knee replacement, count not only the cost of the operation itself but the full range of expenses: accommodation, diagnostics, rehabilitation, medicines, anaesthesia and post-operative monitoring. In Ukraine this often works out cheaper, because consultations, surgery and recovery take place at one centre, and the hospital stay usually lasts only a few days.
Prices in Ukraine are lower for several reasons. Firstly, the underlying cost of medical services (rent, salaries, consumables) is considerably lower than in EU countries or Israel. Secondly, competition between private clinics pushes them to offer transparent packages without hidden costs. Thirdly, minimally invasive techniques shorten the operation and the hospital stay, which directly reduces the total cost.
At the same time, a lower price does not mean lower safety standards: the partner clinic provides full anaesthetic care, infection control and professional nursing. The surgeons have experience of total and partial joint replacements, and recovery is supervised by a team of rehabilitation specialists.
At the partner clinic in Uzhhorod, knee replacement is performed according to European standards of orthopaedics and traumatology. The clinic provides full anaesthetic care, strict infection control and patient monitoring in the post-operative period. The operations are performed by orthopaedic trauma surgeons who specialise in joint replacement.
Well-established sterility protocols reduce the risk of complications, above all infections. Ideally, the full cycle, from pre-operative tests to rehabilitation, takes place in one place, which simplifies logistics and patient follow-up.
When choosing a clinic, look at the surgeons' experience, the number of operations performed, the standard of infection control and the quality of the implants. MediUkraine assesses the partner clinic on verified reviews and the transparency of procedure costs, so you can discuss the specifics with the surgeon before you travel.
📍 Uzhhorod, Ukraine
A multidisciplinary hospital in Uzhhorod, part of a network of medical facilities in western Ukraine: an outpatient clinic, a surgical centre covering 15 specialties and a 30-bed inpatient unit. Its 52 doctors include professors and PhDs; many operations are done as day surgery, with discharge after 1–2 days.
It is an operation in which the worn surfaces of the knee joint are trimmed and replaced with artificial components: metal ones, with a polyethylene insert that takes over the role of cartilage. The surgery removes the source of pain and restores the range of movement and the ability to bear weight on the leg.
The operation in Ukraine usually costs from USD 1,124 (excluding implant), depending on the clinic, the type of implant (partial or total) and the level of service. That is half the price of the EU or Turkey, with the same standards of treatment.
Patients from Europe, Israel, the UK and many other countries do not need a visa. Entry is possible for up to 90 days, for treatment or rehabilitation. Check the current entry rules for your country before you travel.
The main indications are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone necrosis, post-traumatic changes or chronic pain that does not go away after conservative treatment. At the consultation the orthopaedic surgeon will order tests (X-ray, MRI, blood tests) and decide whether you need a joint replacement and which type of prosthesis will suit you.
Depending on how many compartments of the joint are affected, partial (unicompartmental) or total knee replacement is performed. Both options can be done with a minimally invasive approach and careful checks on the accuracy of implant placement.
You take your first steps 1–2 days after surgery. Rehabilitation lasts about 6–8 weeks, and full recovery of knee function is usually complete within 3 months.
Yes, and in a positive way. After rehabilitation patients walk, cycle, swim and go to the gym again. There is one restriction: jumping and high-impact loads, which are best avoided to preserve the life of the prosthesis (15–20 years).
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