Explore hip replacement surgery costs in Ireland and discover the benefits of medical tourism for Irish citizens in 2024. Learn about alternative options, costs, and advantages.
Hip replacement surgery is a major operation for people with chronic, severe hip joint disease. Depending on the severity of the underlying disease, surgery can involve partial or complete replacement of the hip joint. After the operation, patients will notice an immediate improvement in pain and hip function.
The only downside is the hip surgery price in Ireland. With extensive wait times and mounting costs, Irish citizens are looking elsewhere to achieve the same results at a fraction of the cost.
In this guide, we’ll cover the current costs of hip surgery in Ireland – including the factors, alternatives, and advantages of going abroad.
We’ll cover:
- What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
- Factors Affecting the Hip Replacement Price in Ireland
- Average Hip Surgery Price in Ireland
- Advantages of Hip Replacement Medical Tourism
- Top Medical Tourism Destinations in Europe
- Kardiolita Hospital: Your First Choice for Hip Replacement Surgery
What is Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip replacement surgery is the only solution for hip treatment once other conservative treatments have failed. In broad terms, there are two hip replacement options:
- Total hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty) refers to the complete removal and replacement of the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) by artificial parts.
- Partial hip replacement (partial hip arthroplasty) only refers to the replacement of either the ball or socket, but not both.
In addition to these two types, hip replacement can differ based on the material of the replacement – for example, ceramic, metal, or polyethene. The material and type of replacement significantly affect the overall cost.
Factors Affecting the Hip Replacement Price in Ireland
The hip surgery price in Ireland isn’t the same for all patients at all times. Several factors should be considered when evaluating the final cost, including:
- Hip Replacement Type. The more invasive and comprehensive the hip operation, the greater the final cost. So, total hip replacements cost more than their partial counterparts due to the complexity and replacement materials required.
- Hospital & Surgeon. Private hospitals charge more than public hospitals. However, even within some hospitals, a particular surgeon may charge more or less depending on their experience level.
- Implant Materials. Hip replacements are a major area of innovation. New materials like ceramics or special plastics can significantly increase the cost. However, these novel materials tend to last longer and so can prove more cost-effective over the long term.
- Post-operative Care. After your surgery, your hospital stay and recovery treatments (e.g., physiotherapy) will add to the final cost of your treatment.
- Insurance Coverage. The majority of Irish citizens do not receive full coverage from the government. Therefore, the quality of your insurance coverage will determine any out-of-pocket cost you must pay.
- Medications, Tests, and Other Treatments. Your hospital medication, tests, and other treatments will all form part of your final hospital bill. Often not included in the quoted cost of the operation, these hidden costs can leave patients with an unexpectedly large bill.
Average Hip Surgery Price in Ireland
The average hip surgery price in Ireland varies considerably depending on the abovementioned factors. However, the latest evidence indicates that patients can expect to pay between €8,000 and €14,950 for private hip replacement surgery.
It’s common for Irish citizens to look over the border (or the Irish Sea) to seek treatment in the UK. However, the NHS has been significantly burdened recently, leading to long waiting times. UK citizens, therefore, turn to the private health sector to get treatment sooner, placing significant demand on private surgeons.
Even if you do get a place, private hip replacement costs were approximately £12,500 in October 2020 and have risen considerably due to demand and inflation.
Advantages of Hip Replacement Medical Tourism
The best option for Irish citizens looking for cheaper hip replacement surgery is to go abroad. There are numerous benefits to this option, including:
- Cost Savings: Medical tourism can provide significant cost savings, with hip replacement surgeries often being significantly cheaper in other countries compared to Ireland.
- Access to World-Class Surgeons: Medical tourism opens up the possibility of being treated by renowned surgeons and medical professionals around the world.
- Shorter Waiting Times: Some Irish citizens may experience long waiting times for hip replacement surgery in Ireland, whereas medical tourism can offer shorter waiting times.
- High-Quality Facilities: Many countries popular for medical tourism have state-of-the-art medical facilities and use the latest technology and equipment.
- Combining Surgery with a Holiday: Medical tourism allows patients the opportunity to recover in a pleasant environment, potentially aiding in faster recovery.
- Personalised Care: Some medical tourism destinations are known for providing more personalised care and attention compared to what might be experienced in Ireland.
Top Medical Tourism Destinations in Europe
Eastern and Central Europe have emerged as the top destination for Irish citizens going abroad for medical treatment. It’s not hard to see why. Countries like Poland or Lithuania combine unrivalled surgical expertise with affordable prices.
Lithuania, in particular, consistently ranks among the best medical tourism destinations. The country was predicted to attract over a quarter of a million medical tourists annually, growing considerably each year.
Indeed, overall, eastern Europe sees a 12-15% annual growth rate in medical tourism, according to the Financial Times.
Kardiolita Hospital: Your First Choice for Hip Replacement Surgery
Considering hip replacement surgery abroad? Make Kardiolita Hospital in Lithuania your first choice. Located in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, this leading hospital is at the forefront of hip replacements.
For over 20 years, the expert team of surgeons has a proven record of successful operations, especially hip replacement surgery.
Best of all, there are no hidden costs – your treatment price covers pre-operative tests, surgery, surgeon visits, meals, hospital admission, and much more. We’ll even help you organise your trip.
Ready to learn more? Get in touch or complete the registration form, and we’ll send you all the relevant details.
