Orthopedics in Turkey

Orthopedic surgery travels well, because most of these operations have a clear beginning and end. What does not travel is the rehabilitation afterwards, and that is what decides your result. This page explains what the surgery involves, what a quote covers, when you can fly, and how to arrange the physiotherapy that has to happen where you live.

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Medically reviewed by Prof. Ufuk Ozkaya, Orthopedics. Written by Sedef Ozdemir.
Updated 18 April 2025 · Editorial standards

Orthopedics in Turkey at a glance

starting price, 15 April 2026from €2,000Treatment only

Figures are ranges, not promises. Suitability needs an individual assessment by a doctor.

Orthopedics clinics in Turkey

Each clinic sets its own price, so check what the price includes before comparing two of them.

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Clinics are scored and ordered by Flymedi. How ranking works.

Patient stories

Patients treated through Flymedi, in their own words. Nothing loads or plays until you press play.

Josephine Nyella

Limb lengthening surgery

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Alex

Septoplasty

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Laura

Dental implants

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Louren

Gastric sleeve

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Mark Chambarlein

Hair transplant

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Youssef

Rhinoplasty

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Helen Totsis

Dental implants

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Jacqueline Davies

Gastric sleeve

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Anıl Chopra

FUE hair transplant

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Damon

Gynecomastia

Spoken in EnglishSource: YouTube

Why are these clinics ranked this way?

Clinics are scored from patient reviews and ordered by Flymedi. The facts behind each position are listed below. How ranking works.

RankClinicFlymediScoreLead doctorExperienceFromWhy it is ranked here
1Luna Clinic Turkey9.4Serdar Karaman11 years€2,000Treatment onlyMost reviewed on this page (888 reviews). Lowest listed price on this page. Declares TURSAB, MOH, ESCAD, TTB. 32 doctors listed.
2Istanbul European Clinic9.3Ufuk Ozkaya13 years€2,200Treatment onlyDeclares TURSAB, MOH, ASAPS, ESCAD, ESHRS, ISAPS, TTB. 23 doctors listed.
3Memorial Sisli Hospital9.14 doctorsNot listed€3,300Treatment onlyDeclares JCI, EFI, ISO 9001:2000, TTB. 4 doctors listed.
4Medipol Mega University Hospital9.44 doctorsNot listed€2,750Treatment onlyDeclares JCI. 4 doctors listed.
5Acibadem Healthcare Group9.54 doctorsNot listedPrice on request4 doctors listed.
6Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital9.74 doctorsNot listedPrice on requestHighest FlymediScore on this page. Declares JCI, CEN, EMBT, ISCT, CIBMTR. 4 doctors listed.
7Ethica Incirli Hospital9.14 doctorsNot listed€2,350Treatment onlyDeclares TTB. 4 doctors listed.
8Acibadem Bodrum Hospital9.54 doctorsNot listed€3,050Treatment onlyDeclares JCI, ISO 9001:2008. 4 doctors listed.
9Koç Healthcare Institutions9.64 doctorsNot listedPrice on requestDeclares JCI. 4 doctors listed.
10Acibadem Maslak Hospital9.64 doctorsNot listed€3,000Treatment onlyDeclares JCI, ISO 9001:2008. 4 doctors listed.
1Luna Clinic Turkey · 9.4
From €2,000 Treatment only Most reviewed on this page (888 reviews). Lowest listed price on this page. Declares TURSAB, MOH, ESCAD, TTB. 32 doctors listed.
2Istanbul European Clinic · 9.3
From €2,200 Treatment only Declares TURSAB, MOH, ASAPS, ESCAD, ESHRS, ISAPS, TTB. 23 doctors listed.
3Memorial Sisli Hospital · 9.1
From €3,300 Treatment only Declares JCI, EFI, ISO 9001:2000, TTB. 4 doctors listed.
4Medipol Mega University Hospital · 9.4
From €2,750 Treatment only Declares JCI. 4 doctors listed.
5Acibadem Healthcare Group · 9.5
4 doctors listed.
6Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital · 9.7
Highest FlymediScore on this page. Declares JCI, CEN, EMBT, ISCT, CIBMTR. 4 doctors listed.
7Ethica Incirli Hospital · 9.1
From €2,350 Treatment only Declares TTB. 4 doctors listed.
8Acibadem Bodrum Hospital · 9.5
From €3,050 Treatment only Declares JCI, ISO 9001:2008. 4 doctors listed.
9Koç Healthcare Institutions · 9.6
Declares JCI. 4 doctors listed.
10Acibadem Maslak Hospital · 9.6
From €3,000 Treatment only Declares JCI, ISO 9001:2008. 4 doctors listed.

Read our full clinic ranking policy

Orthopedics in Turkey

Orthopedics covers the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Some of it is surgery, much of it is not, and a good surgeon will tell you honestly when an operation is not the right answer yet. What follows is general. What applies to you depends on your scans, your symptoms and how much they limit your life.

Which procedures you can compare here

Traveling abroad for treatment will open other possibilities or introduce a better, more effective treatment.

Why people travel for orthopedic surgery

  • Waiting times. Joint replacement and arthroscopy sit on long waiting lists in several countries, and people travel because they are in pain now.
  • Cost. The same operation privately at home is often more expensive than in Turkey, and orthopedic surgery is rarely covered when done privately by choice.
  • A defined procedure. Unlike ongoing treatment, most orthopedic operations are a single event, which makes them easier to plan around a trip.
  • Being told no at home. Some people are refused surgery because they are considered too young, or not yet bad enough. A second opinion is reasonable. Shopping until someone agrees to operate is not, and a good surgeon abroad will say the same thing your own did.

Against that: you will be recovering away from home, you cannot easily walk back into the surgeon's clinic if something feels wrong, and your physiotherapy has to be arranged where you live. Plan those before you book, not after.

What it costs

Each hospital sets its own price and the listing on this page shows what each currently charges. Rather than repeating a figure that would go out of date, here is what makes two quotes for the same operation differ:

  • The implant itself, for joint replacement. Brand, material and fixation method change the price considerably, and you are entitled to know which one is being used.
  • Whether it is a first operation or a revision of previous surgery, which is more complex and usually costs more.
  • The surgeon and the hospital, and what accreditation the hospital holds.
  • Anaesthesia, theatre time and how many nights you stay in hospital.
  • Scans and tests before surgery, and follow up imaging afterwards.
  • Physiotherapy, which is often quoted for the days at the hospital only. The months of rehabilitation at home are usually yours to arrange and pay for.
  • Crutches, braces, compression stockings and any equipment you need at home.

Ask for a written quote that names the implant, the surgeon, the hospital nights, the anaesthesia and the follow up, and states what happens to the price if you need to stay longer or if a complication arises. Then add your own estimate for rehabilitation at home, because that is the item most people leave out and it is not small.

We’ve designed our payment plans to suit patients in different regions, with varying limits and terms:

Rehabilitation is part of the treatment

This is the part that decides how well you do, and it is the part travel makes harder. For most orthopedic surgery the operation is a fraction of the work. What follows is weeks or months of physiotherapy, done regularly, with someone watching your progress and adjusting the programme.

Arrange it before you fly out, not after you get back. Ask the hospital for a written rehabilitation protocol you can hand to a physiotherapist at home, ask who to send questions to if your progress stalls, and check whether a therapist near you will take on a patient operated on abroad. Some will want the operation notes and imaging first, which is another reason to get them in writing before you leave.

Major Regions:

Flying after orthopedic surgery

Surgery on the hip, knee or leg raises the risk of a blood clot, and long flights raise it further. Your surgeon decides when you are safe to travel, and that date is set after the operation rather than booked in advance. Do not treat your return flight as fixed.

Ask what clot prevention you will be given, whether you need injections or tablets to take home, how long to continue them, and whether you should wear compression stockings on the flight. Ask which seat and what movement they advise for the journey, and tell the airline if you need extra legroom or assistance.

  • United Kingdom: Up to 36 months, £5,000 maximum
  • United States: Up to 36 months, $30,000 maximum
  • Germany: Up to 36 months, €5,000 maximum
  • Canada: Up to 36 months, CAD 30,000 maximum
  • France, Spain, Italy, Romania: Up to 3 months, €1,500 maximum
  • Additional Countries: Financing is available in Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and others (specific limits upon request).

Who orthopedic surgery abroad suits

It suits people who have a clear diagnosis, recent imaging, a settled decision that surgery is appropriate, and somewhere to do their rehabilitation. It suits a single, defined operation better than a complicated problem needing several stages.

It suits you less well if you have significant heart or lung disease, poorly controlled diabetes, a history of blood clots, or if you would struggle to get back to a surgeon quickly should something go wrong. None of those rules you out, but they change the calculation and they need to be discussed openly before you book. A surgeon who does not ask about them is not assessing you properly.

Interest Rates:

How the surgery is planned and carried out

  1. A remote review of your imaging and history, and a proposed operation with a written quote.
  2. Pre operative checks on arrival: blood tests, heart and lung assessment, and updated imaging if yours is old.
  3. A consultation with the surgeon and the anaesthetist, where the plan can still change once they have examined you.
  4. The operation, under general or regional anaesthesia depending on what you are having.
  5. Early physiotherapy in hospital, which usually starts sooner than people expect and matters more than they expect.
  6. A follow up before you fly, with your operation notes, imaging, implant details and rehabilitation protocol in writing.
  • 3-month plans: Interest-free
  • Up to 36-month plans: Interest rates range from 7.5% to 15%, depending on your credit history and employment status.

Risks and what to expect

Pain, swelling and stiffness are normal after orthopedic surgery and improve gradually. Beyond that, your surgeon should go through the risks specific to your operation and your health before you consent. In general terms:

  • Blood clots in the leg or lung, which is why clot prevention and advice about flying matter so much here.
  • Infection, which is uncommon but serious when it involves an implant and can mean further surgery.
  • Nerve or blood vessel injury near the operated area, which can cause numbness or weakness.
  • Stiffness or reduced movement if rehabilitation is delayed or not followed.
  • Implant problems over time, including loosening or wear, which can eventually need revision surgery.
  • Pain that does not fully resolve. Surgery improves symptoms for most people but it does not always remove them completely, and a surgeon who promises otherwise is overselling.

Seek urgent medical attention if you have calf pain or swelling, sudden breathlessness or chest pain, a fever, spreading redness or discharge from the wound, or a sudden loss of movement or sensation. These apply whether you are still in Turkey or already home. If you have travelled back, contact your local emergency services first and tell them you have recently had surgery abroad, then inform the hospital that operated on you.

We’re here to help you navigate this process every step of the way. Contact us for guidance or to explore the best plan for your needs. Your health matters, and we’re committed to making it accessible.

Being careful with what you are offered

People in long term joint pain are a target for treatments sold ahead of the evidence. Injection therapies marketed as regenerative, including platelet rich plasma and stem cell treatments, are widely advertised for arthritis and tendon problems. The evidence for them is mixed and they are not established treatment for osteoarthritis, whatever the marketing says.

That does not mean nobody should ever consider them. It means you should ask what published evidence supports the specific treatment being proposed for your specific condition, whether it is standard care or experimental, what it costs, and what happens if it does not work. Take the answer to your own doctor before you pay. Be wary of anyone who promises to regrow cartilage, avoids putting claims in writing, or presses you to decide today.

Medical tourism is an increasingly popular option for individuals seeking high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. For many, the financial burden of upfront payments can be a barrier to accessing treatment abroad. Opting for installment payment plans offers several advantages that make medical treatments more accessible and manageable.

Choosing a surgeon and hospital

  • Ask how often the surgeon performs your specific operation, not orthopedic surgery in general. Volume in the procedure you need is the question that matters.
  • Ask which implant they plan to use and why, and whether it is one your surgeons at home would recognise if it ever needed revising.
  • Ask what accreditation the hospital holds and what happens if you need intensive care.
  • Ask for the rehabilitation protocol in writing before you commit, so you can show it to a physiotherapist at home.
  • Ask what the policy is on complications and revision, including who pays if you need to return.
  • Ask whether interpreting is provided, and whether an interpreter is present when you consent and when you are discharged.
  • Be cautious with a surgeon who agrees to operate without examining you, or who does not raise rehabilitation and flying before you do.
  • Manageable Payments: Small, predictable monthly payments make it easier to plan and budget without depleting savings or emergency funds.
  • Minimized Debt Risk: Installment plans often have lower interest rates and manageable terms than taking a high-interest loan or maxing out credit cards.

Preparing for surgery

  • Send recent imaging and any previous operation notes before you travel, so the plan is built on current information.
  • List every medicine you take, including blood thinners and anything bought without a prescription, and ask which to pause and when.
  • Line up your physiotherapist at home and book the first appointments before you fly out.
  • Sort your home for coming back: stairs, bathroom, somewhere to sleep if you cannot manage the bedroom, and someone to help for the first stretch.
  • Book accommodation close to the hospital and on a floor you can reach, and travel with someone if you can.
  • Book a flexible return flight, because your surgeon sets the date you can fly.
  • Financial Security: Knowing payments are spread out and manageable reduces stress and allows patients to focus on their recovery.
  • Transparent Agreements: Many installment plans have clear terms, ensuring no hidden fees or unexpected financial surprises.

Paying for treatment

Instalment plans are available for many treatments booked through Flymedi, with terms, limits and interest depending on the country you live in and the finance provider available there. Ask a coordinator what applies to you and get the total repayable in writing before you commit.

Budget for rehabilitation as well as surgery. Planned treatment abroad is usually not covered by domestic health insurance or standard travel insurance, so check with your insurer before you book and ask specifically about cover if a complication needed treatment after you returned.

By leveraging installment payment plans, individuals can access high-quality medical care abroad while maintaining financial stability. This approach ensures a balance between receiving the best treatment and managing personal finances responsibly.

How Flymedi works

  1. Tell us your diagnosis and send your imaging, along with what you have already been told at home.
  2. We send you hospitals that perform your operation, with what each proposes and quotes.
  3. You compare them on the implant, the surgeon's experience with your procedure and what the quote covers, asking questions through one coordinator.
  4. You arrange travel and your physiotherapy at home once the plan is confirmed.
  5. You have the operation, and leave with your notes, imaging, implant details and rehabilitation protocol.

Flymedi does not diagnose you, does not give medical advice and does not perform surgery. The surgeon and hospital do that. Comparing hospitals through Flymedi costs you nothing.

We’ve created payment plans to fit the needs of patients in different regions, with varying terms and limits:

  • United Kingdom: Up to 36 months, maximum £5,000
  • United States: Up to 36 months, maximum $30,000
  • Germany: Up to 36 months, maximum €5,000
  • Canada: Up to 36 months, maximum CAD 30,000
  • France, Spain, Italy, Romania: Up to 3 months, maximum €1,500
  • Other Countries: Financing is available in Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, and more (specific limits available on request).
  • 3-month plans: Interest-free
  • Up to 36-month plans: Interest rates range from 7.5% to 15%, depending on your credit history and employment status.

Orthopedics in Turkey quick facts

SpecialtyOrthopedics, covering bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
Procedures listed hereKnee and hip replacement, knee and shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff, bunion, carpal tunnel, distal bicep repair, limb lengthening and shortening
AnaesthesiaGeneral or regional, depending on the operation
Hospital stayVaries by procedure, confirmed by your hospital
Stay in TurkeyVaries. Set by when your surgeon clears you to fly, not booked in advance
RehabilitationWeeks to months of physiotherapy, arranged where you live. This decides your result
Flying homeCleared by your surgeon after the operation. Clot prevention advice applies
Common after surgeryPain, swelling and stiffness, improving gradually
RisksBlood clots, infection, nerve or vessel injury, stiffness, implant problems over time, pain that does not fully resolve
Urgent symptomsCalf pain or swelling, breathlessness, chest pain, fever, spreading wound redness. Seek care immediately
OutcomeVaries by procedure, diagnosis and rehabilitation. No surgeon can promise a result
CostSet by each hospital and shown on its listing, with what the price includes

Scroll sideways for the full table

What patients say How we collect reviews

Reviews left by patients treated through Flymedi for this treatment. Each one is written in the patient's own language.

K.· Limb lengthening surgeryVerified

5.0 · 23 December 2025

This was a big decision and not something you choose lightly. Flymedi gave me very detailed information from the start. The medical team was extremely professional and realistic about expectations. I felt supported throughout the entire process.

M.· Limb lengthening surgeryVerified

5.0 · 3 February 2025

I was really nervous about getting limb lengthening surgery, but Luna Clinic made everything so smooth! From the first consultation to the post-op care, I felt like I was in the best hands. Flymedi handled everything perfectly – flights, transfers, hotel, and even my appointments. The doctors were incredibly professional, and the hospital was top-notch. Now, a few months later, I can already see amazing results! 🙌

A.· Limb lengthening surgeryVerified

5.0 · 22 January 2025

I never thought I’d actually go through with limb lengthening surgery, but Flymedi made everything so easy! From the first consultation to the recovery process, they were always available to answer my questions. The doctors at Luna Clinic were incredible—so knowledgeable and supportive. I’ve gained the height I always dreamed of, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience!

J.· Limb lengthening surgeryVerified

5.0 · 13 January 2025

I first saw the limb lengthening surgery video on Flymedi's YouTube channel, and it really helped me understand the whole process. After that, I decided to contact Istanbul European Clinic, and they’ve been amazing from start to finish. The surgery went smoothly, and the team was so supportive throughout my recovery. I’m already seeing the results, and it’s been life-changing!!

18 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Answers from the medical content team, reviewed by the medical reviewer named on this page.

How much does orthopedic surgery in Turkey cost?
Each hospital sets its own price and the listing on this page shows current figures. When you compare, check which implant is included, how many hospital nights, what scans and tests are covered, and how much physiotherapy is in the quote. Then add your own estimate for rehabilitation at home, which is usually not included.
When can I fly home after surgery?
Your surgeon decides after the operation. Surgery on the hip, knee or leg raises the risk of a blood clot and long flights raise it further, so the date is a clinical judgement rather than something to book in advance. Ask what clot prevention you will be given and how long to continue it.
Who arranges my physiotherapy afterwards?
You do, and it is worth doing before you travel. Ask the hospital for a written rehabilitation protocol to hand to a physiotherapist at home, and check that a therapist near you will take on a patient operated on abroad. Some will want the operation notes and imaging first.
What implant will be used?
Ask, and get it in writing. For joint replacement the brand, material and fixation method affect both the price and what happens if it ever needs revising. Ask whether surgeons at home would recognise it, and make sure the implant details are in your discharge paperwork.
What if something goes wrong after I get home?
Agree this in writing before you travel: who you contact, how quickly they respond, what the hospital covers, and who pays if you need to return. For urgent symptoms such as calf pain, breathlessness, chest pain or a spreading wound infection, contact your local emergency services first and tell them you have recently had surgery abroad.
Should I consider stem cell or PRP injections instead of surgery?
Treat these carefully. Injection therapies marketed as regenerative are widely advertised for arthritis and tendon problems, but the evidence is mixed and they are not established treatment for osteoarthritis. Ask what published evidence supports the specific treatment for your specific condition, whether it is standard or experimental, and take the answer to your own doctor before paying. Be wary of anyone promising to regrow cartilage.
How do I choose a surgeon?
Ask how often they perform your specific operation rather than orthopedic surgery in general, which hospital you will be treated in and what accreditation it holds, and what their policy is on complications and revision. Be cautious with a surgeon who agrees to operate without examining you.
I was refused surgery at home. Can I have it in Turkey?
A second opinion is reasonable, and surgeons do sometimes disagree about timing. But if you were told that surgery is not appropriate yet, understand the reason before looking for someone who will say yes. A good surgeon abroad will assess you properly and may well reach the same conclusion.
Will my insurance cover it?
Planned treatment abroad is usually not covered by domestic health insurance, and standard travel insurance often excludes anything related to surgery you travelled for. Check in writing before you book, and ask specifically what happens if you need emergency care while you are away.
How long before I can work and drive again?
It depends on the operation, which side was done and what your job involves. Ask your surgeon for the guidance that applies to you, and check your own insurer's position on driving after surgery, because that is a separate question from whether you feel able to.
What records should I bring home?
Your operation notes, post operative imaging, the implant details including brand and size, your medication list including clot prevention, and the rehabilitation protocol. Ask for them in a language your own doctors read, and check you have them before you leave the hospital.
How do I get a personalised quote?
Send your diagnosis and recent imaging, and we will come back with hospitals that perform your operation and what each one quotes, so you can compare them side by side.

About this page

Written by Sedef Ozdemir, Creative Digital Marketing Intern at FlyMedi. Medically reviewed by Prof. Ufuk Ozkaya, Orthopedics. Content updated 18 April 2025. Next scheduled review 18 April 2026.

This page is general information, not personal medical advice. It does not diagnose you and it does not replace an individual assessment by a doctor who has examined you.

Found something wrong or out of date on this page? Tell us and we will check it. Editorial standards and reviewer list: authors and reviewers.

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