If you’re having trouble with your knees, you’re not alone.
I also have knee issues. I have Osteonecrosis and osteoarthritis and a torn meniscus all in the same knee.
And doctors are basically waiting for my knee to collapse to replace it.
Me I’m looking to avoid a collapse but at the 10k out of pocket cost it’s almost impossible. I’m talking stem cell injection.
Many people young and old alike are having many problems with their knees and ready to stop the pain.
Can you believe knee replacements have doubled in the United States from 2004 to 2014!
People want to have relief from their knee pain. The shouldn’t have to pas on a treatment that will work becz it’s not covered, or be stuck to live in pain until the knee collapses, then be forced to pay for a replacement.
One option that often comes up is knee replacement surgery.
However, it’s a very expensive surgery that includes a lot of pain and extensive physical therapy. And come on now let’s not forget they remove the end of the knee and replace it with artificial parts.
So let’s walk you through the true cost of knee replacement surgery so you have an idea of what to expect.
Pre-Surgical Consultation Fees
Individuals having knee replacement surgery can expect to incur costs long before actually being admitted to the hospital.
A pre-surgical evaluation or consultation must be completed by your orthopedic surgeon in order to see if an individual can even have the surgery. I think they do this for every surgery to make sure we are strong enough to handle the surgery and not die in the table.
I had umbilical hernia surgery in 2017 and had a cut scan , then a stress test, blood work. All for a 40 minute hernia repair.
Anyway………
This consultation will involve imaging X-rays and MRI’s ,then there is blood work, cultures, and panels.
Patients can expect their providers to also do the following:
Determine bone mineral density
Issue a liver function test
Do an EKG or EC
Possibly a stress test
Conduct a urine test
The consult determines what type of knee replacement surgery will be required PKR or TKR partial or total knee replacement.
Then the cost of the hospital stay and surgery costs.
Those who gave a knee replacement should expect to be in the hospital for at least 2-6 days.
During this time, the patient will require the help of many healthcare professionals.
The cost of the inpatient stay will largely be dependent upon the following:
Length of time in the operating room
Any preexisting conditions that require extra care
Type of implant
Surgical approach
Complications
Number of days in the hospital
Be prepared while in the hospital you will be paying for everything, every pill, glass of water, meals, physical therapy, nurses all of it
Many knee surgery candidates elect to have surgery overseas due to the large difference in cost. In some countries, knee replacement surgery is 50 to 80 percent cheaper than they are in the United States. But no always covered by insurance and it can be risky.
So say you have an 80/20 plan and your knee replacement is 45,000.00 your 20 percent is 9000.00
Now a stem cell injection is 8-10,000usd. Would it not be more cost effective and save the patient pain , and the actual loss of their own joint to just even cover a stem cell injection if the patient meets the criteria?
Even 60/40 would be a plus.
We have get insurance companies, medicare and Medicare to come into the real world. We have great medical technology it’s time the average person has access to it.
Living a life waiting for your knee to collapse is no fun, it’s poor quality and when there are alternative options that could help if you qualify why are we forced to suffer.!!
