My name is James, I'm 62, and I live in London. For seven years, osteoarthritis in my right knee had been steadily stealing my mobility. Simple tasks — climbing stairs, walking in the park with my grandchildren, even getting out of bed in the morning — had become exercises in endurance. My NHS consultant told me the waiting list for a total knee replacement was 14 to 18 months. I couldn't bear another year of pain. A friend who'd had hip surgery in India suggested I look into medical tourism, and after weeks of research, I chose a NABH-accredited hospital in New Delhi. The entire process — from my first video consultation to booking flights — took less than three weeks.
Arrival and Pre-Surgery Preparation
Arriving at Indira Gandhi Airport at midnight, I was greeted by a hospital representative holding a sign with my name. They whisked me through a special medical visa lane and drove me to a comfortable hotel near the hospital. The next morning, I met my orthopedic surgeon — a gentleman with 22 years of experience and over 4,000 knee replacements to his credit. He reviewed my X-rays and MRI, explained the procedure in detail using 3D models of my knee joint, and patiently answered every question I had.
- Pre-operative blood work completed on-site
- Cardiac clearance obtained
- Chest X-ray performed at the hospital's diagnostic center
- Surgery scheduled two days after arrival
Surgery and Early Recovery
The surgery itself was performed under spinal anesthesia, and I was awake but comfortable throughout. The surgeon used a computer-navigated technique for precision implant placement, and the entire procedure took just 90 minutes. I woke up in a private room with a dedicated nurse who spoke perfect English. The pain management was exceptional — a combination of regional nerve blocks and oral medication kept me comfortable from day one. Physiotherapy began within 24 hours.
- Day 1: Physiotherapy began within 24 hours of surgery
- Day 2: First steps with a walker and physiotherapist
- Day 3: Walking the hospital corridor with minimal assistance
- Days 4–9: Continued in-hospital recovery with daily physiotherapy
Going Home
I spent nine days in the hospital before being discharged to a nearby serviced apartment for an additional two weeks of recovery. During this time, I had daily physiotherapy sessions, weekly follow-up consultations with my surgeon, and 24/7 access to a nurse hotline. The total cost, including surgery, hospital stay, physiotherapy, accommodation, and even my return flights, came to roughly £7,500 — less than I would have paid for the surgery alone on a private basis in the UK. Three months later, back home in London, I'm walking without a stick, playing with my grandchildren in the garden, and I've just booked a walking holiday in the Lake District. Choosing India for my knee replacement was the best medical decision I've ever made.