If you’ve got a dodgy knee or knees, you might be considering surgery to relieve the pain and regain full mobility. But, of course, private treatment comes at a cost and the public system is beset with long waiting lists.
So how much does private knee replacement surgery cost? And if you can’t afford private healthcare, what are the alternatives? Canstar explores the answers to these questions.
What is knee replacement surgery?
Knee replacement surgery is most commonly performed to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee. Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that occurs when cartilage in the knee breaks down and the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shinbone) start to rub together.
The surgery involves inserting a metal implant into the end of the femur and tibia. The tibia implant is topped with a plastic liner that acts like the joint’s natural cartilage, which reduces friction and acts as shock absorber as the knee bends.
While the operation itself is brief, usually under two hours, the recovery period is a lot longer. It can take between six and eight weeks before you can expect to be driving, or back at a desk job. And those with active jobs involving a lot of movement can be out of action even longer.
How much does a knee replacement cost?
According to claims figures from Southern Cross Health Insurance in New Zealand over the past two years, the cost of a knee replacement surgery ranges between $26,300 and $32,000.
How long do you have to wait for knee replacement surgery?
While a knee replacement isn’t cheap, it is available through the public health care system. However, the wait times are considerable.
Depending on where you live, it’s not uncommon to wait for up to 35 weeks for an appointment with a specialist and then, if you make the knee-replacement waiting list, a further six months to a year for the operation.
Of course, if you have the money to pay for the surgery, or it’s covered by your health insurance policy, you won’t have to wait. In this case, scheduling your recovery period around work and family commitments is likely to be your biggest concern.
Will health insurance pay for a knee replacement?
Most comprehensive surgical health insurance plans have provisions for operations such as knee replacements. However, health insurance policies don’t usually cover pre-existing conditions.
This means that if you already have problems with your knee(s), taking out a health insurance policy won’t be a short-cut to knee replacement surgery.
Therefore, if you are concerned about the possibility of requiring knee replacement surgery in the future, it’s worth considering arranging your cover now, well before problems arise, to ensure peace of mind.
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About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.
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