Top orthopedic surgery at a fraction of Western prices
Shanghai has become a leading destination for international orthopedic patients, combining China's #1 ranked orthopedic hospital (Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital), US- and Europe-trained surgeons, and the same FDA-approved implants used in Western hospitals — at 70-75% lower cost than the USA. From total hip replacement, knee replacement, and hip resurfacing to shoulder replacement, complex revision surgery, and spinal fusion, Shanghai's Class A Tertiary hospitals perform more than 15,000 joint procedures each year. Our English-speaking medical escort service handles appointments, record translation, post-operative rehabilitation, and full journey coordination for international patients.
Transparent all-in pricing across major orthopedic procedures
| Orthopedic Procedure | USA | Japan | Korea | Germany | UAE | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Replacement (Total) | $40,000 | $32,000 | $22,000 | $28,000 | $25,000 | $9,600 |
| Knee Replacement (Total) | $45,000 | $35,000 | $25,000 | $30,000 | $28,000 | $10,400 |
| Hip Resurfacing | $40,000-55,000 | $30,000-42,000 | $22,000-32,000 | $28,000-40,000 | $25,000-36,000 | $10,000-14,000 |
| Knee Arthroscopy | $15,000-30,000 | $10,000-20,000 | $7,000-15,000 | $10,000-20,000 | $9,000-18,000 | $4,000-6,400 |
| Shoulder Replacement | $40,000-60,000 | $30,000-45,000 | $22,000-35,000 | $28,000-42,000 | $25,000-38,000 | $10,000-16,000 |
| Hip Revision Surgery | $60,000-90,000 | $45,000-65,000 | $30,000-50,000 | $40,000-60,000 | $35,000-55,000 | $16,000-25,600 |
| Knee Revision Surgery | $60,000-95,000 | $45,000-70,000 | $30,000-55,000 | $40,000-65,000 | $35,000-58,000 | $16,000-26,400 |
| Spinal Fusion | $80,000-150,000 | $55,000-95,000 | $35,000-65,000 | $50,000-90,000 | $45,000-80,000 | $18,000-28,000 |
Prices include surgeon fees, anesthesia, hospital stay, FDA-approved implants (Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Synthes, Smith & Nephew), and standard post-op care. Shanghai prices reflect all-in packages at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital. Actual costs vary based on procedure complexity and individual patient condition.
China's #1 ranked orthopedic center
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital — Class A Tertiary (Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated)
Founded in 1904, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital is the birthplace of China's modern orthopedic surgery and remains the country's top-ranked orthopedic center. The Department of Orthopedics performs more than 15,000 joint procedures annually, including primary joint replacement, complex revision surgery, limb reconstruction, and minimally invasive arthroscopy. The hospital treats a growing number of international patients from the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Specialties:
Five simple steps from consultation to follow-up
Contact us via WhatsApp or email. Share your joint condition (hip, knee, shoulder) and treatment goals. Our medical escort provides a personalized plan and cost estimate within 24 hours.
Send X-rays, MRI, CT, and orthopedic reports. We translate them and arrange a remote review by a Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital orthopedic surgeon to confirm the implant and surgical plan.
We arrange visa invitation letter, airport pickup, accommodation near the hospital, and pre-op consultations. Our team meets you on arrival and accompanies you to all hospital visits.
Hip, knee, shoulder replacement or revision surgery performed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University-trained orthopedic specialists using FDA-approved implants. Bedside translation and daily care coordination.
Post-discharge, we coordinate physiotherapy, follow-up consultations, and remote monitoring with your surgeon. Your full discharge summary and operative report are translated into English.
Answers to the questions international patients ask most
Total hip replacement in Shanghai costs approximately $9,600-$12,000 at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, compared to $40,000 in the USA, $32,000 in Japan, and $28,000 in Germany. Knee replacement costs around $10,400 in Shanghai versus $45,000 in the USA. This represents savings of 70-75% on the same implant brands and surgical techniques used in Western hospitals.
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital is China's leading orthopedic center and a Class A Tertiary hospital. Its Department of Orthopedics performs more than 15,000 joint procedures annually and is nationally ranked as the top orthopedic department in China. The hospital has pioneered minimally invasive hip and knee replacement, hip resurfacing, and complex revision surgery for international patients.
Shanghai orthopedic hospitals use the same FDA-approved implant brands as Western hospitals — including Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, DePuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), Smith & Nephew, and globally certified Chinese brands. Both cemented and cementless fixation, ceramic-on-polyethylene, metal-on-polyethylene, and ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surfaces are available depending on patient age, activity level, and surgeon recommendation.
Most patients walk with assistance 1-2 days after hip or knee replacement, with a 5-7 day hospital stay followed by 1-2 weeks of outpatient rehabilitation in Shanghai. Total stay is typically 2-3 weeks before flying home. Our medical escort arranges rehabilitation, follow-up consultations, and physiotherapy, and translates your full discharge summary and operative report into English.
Yes, staged bilateral joint replacement is a common option for international patients, with the second surgery performed 7-10 days after the first under close medical supervision. This reduces total travel time and cost compared to two separate trips. Your orthopedic surgeon will evaluate whether single-stage bilateral (same-day) replacement is safe based on your cardiac and overall health.
