Wait times for operations in Australia

6. Knee replacement: $23,000 Similar to a hip replacement, a knee replacement aims to relieve pain and enhance mobility, especially for arthritis sufferers. Public hospital wait time: 223 days.
They will operate on both knees at the same time in Australia. I was considering going over there to have the operation done privately.
223 days for public hospital waiting time sounds remarkably quick compared to 4-5 years in the UK!

Medical insurance, which many if not most older people have, covers quite a lot of the costs. There is a ‘gap’ between what they pay you back and the actual cost but it isn’t that huge. If it was, no one would have the operations. The system here is not ideal and if you don’t have private cover you are in for long waiting times unless it is life- threatening. There are some very,very good surgeons but they are in high demand. I would be nervous of 2 knees at once because you would be confined to a wheelchair. The rehab places are very good round here at least, though. By all accounts knee replacements are more difficult and longer to recover from than hip replacements.

A friend had 2 TKR done together here in Manchester 10 years ago and was so glad she’d got it “all over with” at one go.

Another friend had his one knee done 4 years ago iand is still limping although not in pain thankfully. His gait is distressing to observe. He told me “I think they’ve put an elbow in by mistake”.

Had xray mid May, saw consultant end of August and had tkr on November 16th, about 172 days. Stand alone unit in Epsom which does hips and knees, we need more of them.

I like the ‘stand alone’ description grannysyb! ‘Discard your walking sticks here’ perhaps?
😁