How Much Does Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in the U.S.?

knee replacement surgeonKnee replacement surgery such as treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries may cost $49,500 on average in the U.S., but it could be more or less expensive based on different factors.

If you live in Utah, an ACL doctor in Provo may charge a lower rate than the same professional in Salt Lake City. Take note, however, that the place where you live is only one of the many other factors for considering the price.

Costs of Surgery

While medical bills are different for each patient, the general cost of knee replacement surgeries can be categorized into three groups. These comprise pre-surgery operation, hospital stay and surgery, and post-surgery care. Outpatient surgeries cost less since patients don’t need to spend time at the hospital for recovery.

The pre-surgery state involves visits to the doctor, imaging, and laboratory work, which may cost around $1,000 (for privately insured individuals) and $1,900 (for Medicare). The hospital and actual surgery account for a large chunk of the expenses. Medicare patients may expect to receive a $56,000 bill, while it would be $58,300 for those with private insurance.

Common Injury

An ACL injury is one of the common ways patients hurt their knees. It often manifests through pain when the patient stands on the affected leg or put pressure on it. The injured knee may also become swollen after 24 hours.

Surgeons perform different diagnostic tests to find the root cause of the injury, which is usually with an arthroscopy — the most extensive type of all the procedures. This process involves the insertion of a small tool with a miniature camera, which then allows the doctor to probe the affected area by viewing it on a computer monitor or screen.

While these prices give you an idea of how much it costs to have knee surgery, a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon is a better way to estimate the amount you would need for a certain procedure.