Total Knee Replacement Surgery Cost in Singapore

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Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure for patients with advanced knee joint deterioration. This procedure offers relief from chronic pain and restores mobility for patients with advanced osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or severe knee injuries. This article examines the costs associated with total knee replacement in Singapore, helping patients make informed financial decisions about their treatment journey.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Total Knee Replacement

The final cost of a total knee replacement in Singapore depends on several variables. These include:

Surgeon’s Expertise: More experienced surgeons with established track records typically command higher fees. Their expertise may translate to better surgical outcomes and fewer complications, which some patients consider worth the premium.

Implant Type and Quality: Standard cobalt-chrome implants cost less than premium options such as oxidised zirconium or customised implants. High-end prosthetics designed for greater longevity or specific patient anatomy can significantly increase the overall procedure cost.

Hospital Facilities: Different hospitals offer varying levels of accommodation. The choice between standard and higher-tier room types affects the final bill, with enhanced comfort options contributing to the base surgical cost.

Surgical Technique: Traditional open surgery generally costs less than specialised approaches like computer-navigated surgery or minimally invasive techniques, which require additional equipment and expertise but may offer benefits like faster recovery times.

Knee Condition Complexity: The extent of knee damage or deformity directly impacts the cost. Straightforward replacements cost less than procedures involving severe deformity, bone defects, or revision surgeries that require more complex techniques and specialised implants.

Anaesthesia Requirements: The type and duration of anaesthesia will affect the total cost. More complex or lengthy procedures typically require more sophisticated anaesthesia management, leading to higher fees.

Length of Hospital Stay: The duration of the hospital stay will influence the overall bill. Each additional day adds to the cost, with rates varying based on the ward type.

Cost Breakdown of Total Knee Replacement in Singapore

Hospitals in Singapore typically present the following cost structure for total knee replacement.

Surgeon Fees: Orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore charge between S$15,000 and S$25,000 for a standard total knee replacement. This fee covers pre-operative assessment, the surgical procedure, and follow-up consultations during the immediate recovery period.

Hospital Charges: These encompass the operating theatre costs, inpatient stay, nursing care, and basic medications. For a typical 4-5 day stay, hospital charges vary significantly. The daily ward rate typically ranges from S$800 to S$2,500, depending on the room type and level of care required.

Anaesthetist Fees: Typically calculated based on the duration of surgery and patient complexity, these fees generally fall between S$1,500 and S$3,500 for a standard knee replacement procedure.

Implant Costs: The prosthetic knee joint represents a significant portion of the overall expense. Standard implants cost approximately S$8,000 to S$12,000, while premium or custom-designed options can reach S$15,000 to S$20,000.

Surgical Consumables: Specialised surgical instruments, wound dressings, and other single-use items add approximately S$2,000 to S$4,000 to the total cost.

Additional Expenses to Consider

Beyond the direct surgical costs, patients should budget for these additional expenses:

Pre-operative Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations including specialised imaging (MRI, CT scans), blood tests, and cardiac assessments may be required before surgery. These diagnostics typically cost between S$1,000 and S$3,500 depending on the extent of testing needed.

Post-discharge Medications: Pain management drugs, anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, and other prescribed medications for the weeks following surgery can amount to S$300 to S$800.

Rehabilitation Services: Physiotherapy represents an essential component of successful recovery. A recommended programme of 10-15 sessions costs between S$1,500 and S$3,500. Most patients require 12 to 20 sessions depending on the complexity of the procedure and individual recovery progress.

Follow-up Consultations: Beyond the initial post-operative period, patients typically require ongoing monitoring. Each specialist consultation costs between S$150 and S$300, with most patients needing 3-5 visits in the first year after surgery.

Medical Supplies: Post-surgical recovery often requires items such as knee braces, cold therapy systems, and wound care supplies, which can cost S$200 to S$500 collectively.

Mobility Aids: Temporary walking aids such as crutches, walkers, or canes may be necessary during the recovery phase, adding S$100 to S$500 to overall expenses.

Insurance & Medisave Options

Private health insurance plans can provide coverage for total knee replacement surgery, with benefits varying by policy. Review your plan to determine coverage extent, including co-payments and exclusions. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents can use MediSave to help pay for total knee replacement surgery, hospitalisation, and rehabilitation costs up to certain limits, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. MediSave withdrawal limits for this procedure are specifically designed to help manage the costs of joint replacement surgeries.

Consult with your insurance providers to understand your specific coverage options for total knee replacement, including any pre-authorisation requirements and post-surgery rehabilitation coverage.

Conclusion

Total knee replacement surgery in Singapore represents a significant investment in long-term mobility and quality of life. While costs can be substantial, knowing the breakdown of expenses allows patients to plan effectively and explore appropriate financing options. By considering all financial aspects alongside clinical needs, patients can make informed decisions that balance budget constraints with desired treatment outcomes.

Schedule a consultation today to discuss your specific case and receive personalised advice on treatment options and costs.

Dr. Ambrose Yung

Specialist Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon

Dr Ambrose Yung Wai Yin is a Senior Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in the field of orthopaedics.

Areas of Expertise:

Knee Surgery: Complex procedures like revision knee arthroplasty, partial knee replacement, and primary total knee replacement.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Shoulder, ankle, and knee surgeries with minimal scarring and quicker recovery times.
Limb Reconstruction: Specialized in both upper and lower limb reconstruction.

Computer-guided Knee Replacement: Dr. Yung trained at the prestigious Oxford University Hospital in the UK, where he specialized in computer-guided partial and total knee replacements.

Dr. Chee Kin Ghee

Specialist Hand & Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr Chee Kin Ghee is a specialist hand surgeon with over 20 years of experience in hand and orthopaedic surgery.

His clinical expertise includes treatments for complex hand, wrist, and upper limbs injuries, wrist and finger joint replacement, minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery, and nerve compression release surgery

Dr Chee was awarded a 1-year fellowship (HMDP by MOH) & trained at world-renowned Wrightington Hospital Upper Limb Unit, UK.
He was trained in the management of complex upper limb conditions, including complex joint replacement of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, as well as modern minimally invasive upper limb surgery.

Dr. Low Mun Hon

Dr Low Mun Hon has over 20 years of experience managing trauma and orthopaedic clinical care. Prior to this, he has been in private practise as a practitioner at Singapore Sports & Orthopaedic Clinic (SSOC).

Dr. Low graduated from Monash University Medical School (Melbourne). Thereafter, he pursued his internship at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

He subsequently continued his practice of medicine at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). During this period, he was awarded the membership of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at Glasgow in 2008 & Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery (National University of Singapore) in the same year.
Dr Low had previously worked as an orthopaedic trainee at various local teaching hospitals i.e. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KK Hospital) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Justin Lim Xuan Li

Physiotherapist

Justin is a skilled and experienced physiotherapist who specializes in the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions (nerve, muscle and joint).

Over the years, he honed his clinical skills across all sectors of healthcare, allowing him to attain mastery of the sophisticated human body and address complex problems effectively, allowing him to successfully address complex neuro-musculoskeletal conditions at an accelerated pace.

Justin graduated from Trinity College Dublin and started his career in National Healthcare Group Polyclinics. His skills quickly gained recognition and was appointed as a clinical educator for physiotherapy students and even tasked to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Subsequently, he continued his practice in community care settings such as Thye Hwa Kwan Rehabilitation Centres and Saint Andrew Community Hospital, where he focused on developing his skills for geriatric rehabilitation and improving quality of care in rehabilitation centres. He then moved on to private practice in Parkway East Hospital, specializing in post operative and outpatient rehabilitation.

Chan Jing Cheng (JC)

Physiotherapist

JC has over 12 years of experience in treating Chronic pain, Orthopaedic and Geriatric conditions.

He had worked at various Private Hospitals, Singapore General Hospital, NTUC Health Elder Care and Lions Home for the Elders.
He is passionate about solving complex musculoskeletal disorders and helping clients relief pain from trauma and illness.
He has a special interest in the Shoulder, Spine, Hip and Knee joint conditions.
He has helped thousands of clients go through rehabilitation smoothly and achieved higher satisfaction after orthopaedic surgery.

Zita Sham

Physiotherapist

Zita graduated with a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore) in 2014 and started working in Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to serve her sponsorship bond.

Later in 2015, she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin, which was provided in Singapore Institute of Technology.

After completion of her studies, Zita worked in the Day Rehabilitation Centre in Jurong Community Hospital for 6 years, where she focused on community rehabilitation for a variety of patients. Patients that were mainly seen consisted of post-operative, geriatric and neurological conditions.
Zita also has a passion in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy and is looking to pursue that. She is also keen to provide home-based physiotherapy to reach out to those in need of her expertise.

Joanna Lim

Hand Occupational Therapy

Joanna’s primary specialization and passion is in hand therapy and upper limb rehabilitation, having more than 10 years of experience in this field.

Joanna obtained her Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Merit) from Nanyang Polytechnic in 2006. Under the MOH Health Science Scholarship, she graduated from La Trobe University, Australia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (1st class Honors) the following year. Upon graduation, she worked in Changi General Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital.

She has worked with hand and orthopedic surgeons in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing quality therapy services for clients with a variety of hand and upper limb conditions, including fractures, sprains/strains, tendon injuries, nerve injuries, repetitive strain disorders and complex trauma injuries.
During her tenures at CGH and SKGH, Joanna was a Senior Occupational Therapist and held the role of Hand Therapy and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Unit Leader. She was in charge of clinical supervision and management of staff, manpower planning, and daily operations of the unit.