Clear guidance on knee surgery, rehabilitation, and care coordination in China
Knee Replacement
CMT Health coordinates access to knee-care resources in China, with practical information for international patients covering assessment, surgery, rehabilitation, and the wider care journey.
Discuss language, time, destination, and itinerary preferences. Do not submit medical records, images, or attachments here.
Treatment Advantages In China
Connected Enhanced-Recovery Pathway
An enhanced-recovery pathway for total knee replacement covering perioperative pain control, early mobilization, thrombosis prevention, and rehabilitation coordination. The receiving hospital determines the individual plan.
Individual Assessment Of Implant And Procedure
The joint-replacement team considers age, bone quality, ligament stability, deformity, and activity needs when assessing total knee replacement, unicompartmental replacement, and implant options.
Hospital-Verifiable Cost Reference
A reference hospitalization cost for unilateral total knee replacement. The hospital's written plan and quotation determine actual costs, implant choice, and rehabilitation arrangements.
Quick Overview
Basic Information
View detailsUnderstand the goals of total knee replacement, common symptoms, and when to seek assessment.
Surgical Details
View detailsUnderstand the procedure, implant types, and individualized surgical options.
Postoperative Rehabilitation
View detailsUnderstand rehabilitation in China, staged recovery milestones, and ongoing rehabilitation after returning home.
Care Journey
- 01
Remote consultation and matching
Our care coordination team will help you confirm the receiving hospital's requirements for preparing materials and the appropriate submission channel.
- 02
Itinerary planning and preparation
Our coordinators will assist in signing service agreements, applying for medical visas, booking air tickets, and coordinating accommodation near the hospital.
- 03
Arrival and landing services
Arrange pick-up at the airport or station, and bilingual staff will accompany you for check-in.
- 04
Full accompaniment of in-hospital diagnosis and treatment
From examination, outpatient consultation to admission, you are accompanied by professional medical interpreters to ensure clear doctor-patient communication.
- 05
Surgery and rehabilitation implementation
The surgical team performs surgery and develops an individualized rehabilitation plan.
- 06
Discharge and continuing care
You will receive a detailed home rehabilitation plan and regular follow-up via online video.
Medical team
Review hospitals and specialists with relevant experience in this treatment. Availability, team composition, and admission arrangements must be confirmed with the receiving hospital.
Hospitals
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
Beijing
Its orthopedics, hand surgery, and sports medicine programs include seven national key clinical specialties; it became a principal National Center for Orthopedics hospital in 2022.
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Shanghai
Known for the world's first successful limb replantation, its orthopedic program is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty.
West China Hospital, Sichuan University
Chengdu
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1946, is a Ministry of Education key discipline, a national key clinical specialty, and an orthopedic specialist training center.
Peking University Third Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics is a national key clinical specialty, while its Institute of Sports Medicine is among China's earliest sports-medicine institutions.
The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang
Orthopedics is among China's first national key clinical specialties and has developed into a comprehensive center with 13 subspecialties.
Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai
Its orthopedic department is a national key discipline and national key clinical specialty; its work in personalized 3D-printed orthopedic implants is internationally recognized.
Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Changsha
Its orthopedic department, established in 1952, is a national key clinical specialty and supports a national regional medical center for orthopedics.
Peking University People's Hospital
Beijing
Orthopedics and orthopedic oncology are national key clinical specialties, and trauma orthopedics is a core department of the National Center for Trauma Medicine.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing
Its orthopedic department, founded in 1921, helped establish orthopedics as an independent specialty in China and is a national key discipline and clinical specialty.
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wuhan
Orthopedics is included in the national key clinical specialty program, and the hospital operates a dedicated orthopedic hospital campus.
Frequently asked questions
Q1 Is the surgery effective?
Total knee replacement is recognized as one of the most successful elective surgeries: about 80% to 89% of patients are satisfied after surgery, and the 15-year survival rate of the prosthesis is about 93%.
Q2 How long can artificial joints be used?
Global registration system data shows that about 93% of prostheses in 15 years, about 90% in 20 years, and about 82% in 25 years are still in normal use, and the vast majority of patients benefit from a single operation for a long time.
Q3 Does the surgery hurt?
Multimodal analgesia and accelerated recovery (ERAS) management is adopted throughout the entire process, and activities can begin within a few hours after the operation. Standardized pain management is the standard procedure for joint surgery in tertiary hospitals in China.
Q4 How long will it take to return to normal life?
You can walk with the help of a walker 1 to 3 days after surgery, resume most daily activities in 3 to 6 weeks, and resume driving in about 4 to 6 weeks (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Patient Guidelines).
Q5 Are there any risks with surgery?
There are risks with any surgery. China's tertiary hospitals strictly implement the National Health Commission's surgical operating specifications and thrombosis prevention guidelines (physical and medication-based prevention), and an experienced team manages care throughout to minimize the risk of complications.
Q6 What should I do if I don’t understand the language?
We provide interpreting and accompanying services throughout the care journey (see "Care Journey"), and there are dedicated personnel to handle everything from medical record pre-review, remote consultation to follow-up after returning home.
Detailed information
Basic Information
What Is Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement removes severely worn joint surfaces and inserts an artificial knee implant. The goals are to relieve pain, correct deformity, and improve stability and mobility.
When To Seek Assessment
Persistent or recurrent knee pain, night pain, swelling, stiffness, restricted movement, reduced walking distance, or limited benefit from conservative treatment may warrant assessment by a joint-replacement specialist.
- Pain worsens with walking, weight-bearing, or stairs
- Joint deformity such as bow legs or knock knees
- Walking requires a cane or other assistive device
- Limited benefit from medication, joint injections, rehabilitation exercises, or physical therapy
Surgical Details
Visual Guide To The Procedure
A 3D total knee replacement video illustrates the incision, bone preparation, implant placement, and closure.
Individualized Implant Selection
The joint-replacement specialist considers age, bone quality, ligament stability, deformity, and activity needs when assessing total knee replacement, unicompartmental replacement, and implant designs.
- Total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
- Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA)
- Posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) design
- Posterior-stabilized (PS) design
Postoperative Rehabilitation
Travel After Surgery
Long-haul international travel is not recommended immediately after total knee replacement. The receiving clinician should assess fitness to fly based on recovery.
In-Hospital Rehabilitation
A structured rehabilitation phase after 5-7 days of surgical hospitalization, with exercise therapy, functional training, physical modalities, and TCM-based rehabilitation. Timing and content depend on clinical assessment.
Individual Rehabilitation Plan
The rehabilitation team develops and adjusts the plan according to age, bone quality, implant type, underlying conditions, and daily activity needs.
- Thrombosis prevention and ongoing monitoring
- Knee range-of-motion and quadriceps strengthening
- Gait, stairs, and activities-of-daily-living training
- A home exercise plan after returning home
Ongoing Rehabilitation At Home
Video follow-up, online rehabilitation guidance, a home exercise plan, and remote correction of rehabilitation exercises. Availability is subject to actual communication and written confirmation.
