K-Orthopedic Hospitals, Recognized Mainly for Joint Replacement Surgery

Orthopedic hospitals in Korea, known for their superb technological power and expertise, are sought after by foreign patients worldwide. Indeed, patients from various countries, including the U.S. (25.7%), China (17.2%), Mongolia (8.3%), Vietnam (6.4%), and Russia (6.2%), visit Korea to undergo orthopedics treatments. According to the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2024, announced by the US weekly business magazine Newsweek, Severance Hospital (10th) and Asan Medical Center (11th) in Korea ranked high on the list. In the Asia Pacific region, five major hospitals in Korea were among the top 10, globally demonstrating the country’s medical technology competence.

1. Merits of Orthopedic Hospitals in Korea

POINT 1. ‘Joint Replacement Surgeries’ Grab Global Attention’

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Among orthopedic surgeries, joint replacement surgery has garnered the most attention in Korea. This is because an aging population in conjunction with an increase in the number of people enjoying sports activities has led to more frequent joint damage. Joint replacement surgery removes damaged joints and implants artificial joints, made of metal and plastics that are harmless to humans, to reduce pain and restore joint function. Notably, these artificial joints can be used semi-permanently, with a 25 to 30-year lifespan. Additionally, the possibility of revision surgery is less than 5%. So demand for this type of surgery has been steadily on the rise internationally.

According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, joint replacement surgery was most frequently performed in the knees (1st, 72,845 cases), hips (2nd, 26,140 cases), and shoulders (3rd, 5,251 cases), followed by the ankle, elbow, and fingers. As such, joint replacement surgery can be performed in various areas. There are two types of joint replacement surgery: total joint replacement and partial joint replacement. The former replaces the whole joint with an artificial joint, whereas the latter only replaces part of the affected joint area. Orthopedic hospitals in Korea actively leverage robotic surgery to enhance the success rate of surgeries. Nine years after clinical research on robotics surgery began, about 10% of shoulder joint replacement surgeries are robotic surgeries. More than 500 doctors have completed robotic surgery certification training. This demonstrates the expertise of Korean orthopedics.

POINT 2. Reasonable Costs and High Accessibility

Korea offers high-level medical services at reasonable prices. In Korea, the whole process -- from testing before hospitalization to surgery and rehabilitation -- is systematically managed at one orthopedic hospital, making these orthopedic hospitals extremely popular among foreign patients. Post-operative care differs by country. In the U.S., patients usually return home on the day of the surgery as the cost of rehabilitation is high. The average cost of joint replacement surgery is 17,400 dollars, excluding rehabilitation. Total treatment, including material costs and hospitalization, amounts to 44,000 dollars on average. Patients who need joint replacement surgery frequently have underlying diseases (e.g., diabetes, dyslipidemia, etc.), so delicate care is required during surgery and the recovery period. Korea’s medical system provides customized post-operative care for each patient, including rehabilitation exercises, fluid therapy, and manual therapy. All these together cost approximately 9,000 dollars. ¹⁾ Additionally, orthopedic hospitals in Korea are concentrated in major cities, including Seoul, allowing patients easy access. As of 2024, orthopedists are available across 918 hospitals in Seoul, ensuring high medical accessibility. ²⁾ 1) The Korean Orthopaedic Association, Research on the Analysis of Orthopedics Treatment Prices and Suggestion of Government-Designated Price Measures, 2019
2) Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, Overview of Hospitals, Clinics, and Pharmacies in Korea (October 2024)

2. Tips for Choosing Orthopedic Hospitals in Korea

* (In the order of the photo) This content was written based on interviews with Jae-ang Sim, Professor of Orthopedics at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Kyung-hoi Koo, Head of K-Joint Center at Cheil Orthopedic Hospital, and Dae-young Lee, Director of Sae-gil Hospital.

Jae-ang Sim, Professor of Orthopedics at Gachon University Gil Medical Center

Kyung-hoi Koo, Head of K-Joint Center at Cheil Orthopedic Hospital

Dae-young Lee, Director of Sae-gil Hospital

How can you choose a reliable hospital for surgery? First, visit an orthopedist. There are approximately 6,000 orthopedists in Korea. You can find nearby hospitals through the Korean Association of Orthopedic Surgeons’ website. Second, check the hospital website for information that serves as an indicator of their medical service quality. As orthopedists continuously conduct research, their reports/papers on treatment methods, or levels of infection prevention and control, as well as other indicators are available on hospital websites, enabling you to evaluate their medical quality. For instance, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital’s website has an ‘outcome book,’ which includes what is done to improve medical services, such as infection prevention and control as well as patient safety.

3. Daily Hip Joint Exercises Recommended to Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery

Indoor cycling, swimming, or hip joint strengthening exercises are effective for maintaining hip joint health. Meanwhile, exercises that put stress on the hip joint, such as stair climbing, stepper workouts, or hiking, should be avoided as they can strain the joints. Squats or lunges are effective for building muscle strength in a short period, but they are not recommended for individuals with weak joints, as they can accelerate joint deterioration.

Columnist Profile : Medicine Channel After the Rain, Hee-seon Choi, PD