Functioning Abroad 1

Functioning Abroad

Gracie VanHoose

Chandler- Gilbert Community College

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For over a century people have been traveling abroad to have medical procedures

performed, specifically, knee surgery. Also known as knee arthroplasty, which is mainly caused

from osteoarthritis. There is an argument that having knee surgery performed abroad is

financially more affordable and that there is only a small risk of complications that can occur

throughout the procedure. With this argument being fought by around 66,000- 750,000 people

across the world (Frey, 2014, p.333). There is still backlash from the people who are against the

idea of going abroad for a knee procedure. Even though it has been proven that “Orthopaedic

surgeries, including knee replacement are commonly offered to be more affordable, and

accessible elsewhere” (Crooks, 2012, p.1). There are still communities of people against it.

Despite the communities that are against the idea, there are many benefits shown to have

knee surgery abroad. The two main benefits for an individual may include the lower cost and

accessibility to things one may not have in their home country. However, with traveling abroad,

there does come risks that can leave long term damage. In addition to the side effects, that an

individual is at risk for, most patients do not question beyond, what they are told. For the reason

being that the procedure is so much more affordable abroad. That they are willing to take the risk

(Nath, 2018, p.1). The risks that are involved include, infectious diseases depending on the

country an individual chooses. As well as the risk of flying back to there home country and their

legs being at high risk for blot clots (Banerjee, 2018, p.1). With being at risk for those two main

complications, they could lead to long term affects. That could possibly then end up in higher

bills, understanding that insurance does not typically cover the cost of having a procedure done

abroad (Dey, 2018, p.1).

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In fact, many American insurance companies typically do not cover the cost of a knee

replacement to have performed abroad. Leaving the patient with no security of insurance if there

were to be any complications, the patient is then paying completely out of pocket.

Furthermore, not only will a patient be paying out of pocket for the procedure aside from

any of the complications that could occur. With a knee replacement being a part of the leg deep

vein thrombosis is at great risk while being in a pressurized aircraft. It is recommended that a

patient stays for a period before traveling home to avoid the risk (Frey, 2014, p.333) If a patient

were to choose not to follow that and arrives home with any sort of complication, there will be

another expense that will most likely be more than if it happens from a doctor in their home

country. Another downfall of having knee surgery abroad is the cost of stay while being there,

which ranges per country however with a typical stay period of 7-10 days (Frey, 2014, p.333)

Some may argue that even though there are a few extra out of pocket cost risks that may come

along with going abroad, that it is still cheaper to have knee surgery preformed elsewhere.

However, the cost may potentially be slightly less in the end of the stay, but the health of the

individual is at very high risk throughout the entire procedure time. Knowing there is no security

of insurance, infectious diseases leading to a longer stay, and poor use of medical materials from

doctors causing unidentified issues.

The last big risk is “Patients may struggle to find U.S. doctors willing to take on after-

surgery care once they return home” (Goering, 2008, p.1). In which aftercare can be greatly

important. Especially for following up with how the recovery is going. Without the doctor

knowing how the surgeon abroad performed the surgery specifically in America a patient may

not be able to ever receive that after care. With resulting in long term damage that most likely
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could have been prevented. With a proper aftercare plan with the doctor. This is not only specific

to the U.S, but also valid for all countries for people leaving that country to another.

Subsequently, with the argument that the cost makes up for all the trouble that may occur,

there is also the argument that, this is the more beneficial option for those uninsured, knowing

they would not have the security of insurance in either place of having the procedure. However,

with being completely uninsured an individual is at high risk for paying nearly the same amount

because of the following up appointments in the home country is not covered either. In which

being able to travel abroad for one’s knee surgery does bring more opportunity to others at the

same time knowing it is potentially less and an individual is willing to take that risk.

Altogether with having the option to travel abroad for a procedure that is necessary for an

individual to be able to functionally walk, opens the opportunity to many that may have thought

it would never be an option. Besides the huge downfall that could potentially be at risk for an

individual and their knee, that includes before, during, and after the procedure. An individual is

at risk to a different number of degrees for complications depending on the country one decides

to reside with and have it preformed. Most importantly are the risks of money to look out for as

well. For the reason of unintentional misuse of materials, sanitary issue, and the health of the

overall country. Being able to understand those risk put an individual at a point of spending

double or even triple of the expected cost. It is an individual responsibly to figure out the cost

difference between the countries and understand if the cost is worth the risk of one’s health.

Lastly the use of going abroad to have a knee preformed on is a huge impact on each

aspect of an individual’s life and both options come with risk. It is up to the individual of which
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risks outweigh one another to be able to have the least number of complications and money

impact.
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Sources

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Crooks, V. A., Cameron, K., Chouinard, V., Johnston, R., Snyder, J., & Casey, V. (2012). Use of

medical tourism for hip and knee surgery in osteoarthritis: a qualitative examination of

distinctive attitudinal characteristics among Canadian patients. BMC Health Services

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Goering, L. (2008, Mar 28). For big surgery, delhi is dealing: Medical tourism soars as

americans seek major savings on health care in hospitals abroad. Chicago

Tribune Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/big-surgery-delhi-is-

dealing/docview/420657383/se-2?accountid=3859
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Rodriguez-Rojas, A. M. (2020). Joints. In R. M. Renneboog (Ed.), Principles of Science.

Principles of Anatomy (pp. 308-311). Salem Press/Grey House.

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