Knee Replacement Surgery (Total & Partial)
Restore your active lifestyle and eliminate debilitating joint pain through advanced Total and Partial Knee Arthroplasty in Tijuana, Mexico. Performed by elite, board-certified orthopedic surgeons at the state-of-the-art Hospital Azar.
COFEPRIS Certified Facility (Mexican Federal Health Authority equivalent to FDA/CDC)
CONACEM & CMOT Certified Orthopedic Surgeons
Overview of Knee Replacement Surgery
What is Total/Partial Knee Replacement
Knee Arthroplasty, commonly known as a knee replacement, is a highly successful orthopedic procedure designed to reconstruct a severely damaged or diseased knee joint. The procedure involves removing the degenerated cartilage and underlying bone, and replacing it with a medical-grade prosthetic implant (made of titanium, cobalt-chrome, and high-density polyethylene).
Depending on the extent of your joint damage, our board-certified surgeons will recommend either:
Total Knee Replacement (TKR): Replaces all three compartments of the knee (medial, lateral, and patellofemoral) and is ideal for extensive, multi-compartmental arthritis.
Partial Knee Replacement (PKR): Replaces only the single damaged compartment (usually the medial side) while preserving healthy bone, cartilage, and your natural anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL/PCL).
How Knee Replacement Works
Performed under spinal anesthesia with a regional nerve block, the procedure typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours at Hospital Azar. Our surgeons follow a meticulous, tissue-sparing process:
Incision & Exposure: A precise incision is made over the front of the knee. Using muscle-sparing techniques, the surgeon carefully moves the kneecap aside rather than cutting through the quadriceps tendon.
Bone Preparation: The damaged cartilage surfaces at the ends of the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) are precisely removed along with a small amount of underlying bone.
Implant Positioning: The premium, U.S.-manufactured prosthetic components (such as Stryker® or Zimmer Biomet®) are positioned to recreate the natural contour of the joint.
Securing & Resurfacing: The metal implants are secured to the bone (typically using surgical-grade bone cement). A medical-grade plastic spacer is inserted between the metal components to create a smooth, frictionless gliding surface.
Closure: The joint is realigned and tested for a full range of motion before the incision is meticulously closed with dermal adhesives or staples.
Why You Will Need Surgery
Knee replacement is typically recommended when conservative treatments—such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, weight loss, or cortisone/hyaluronic acid injections—fail to provide relief.
The most common reasons patients require this surgery include:
Severe Osteoarthritis (Wear-and-Tear Arthritis): The primary cause for surgery, where the protective cartilage wears away completely, resulting in painful “bone-on-bone” friction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation, synovial thickening, and eventual destruction of the joint cartilage.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Joint degeneration resulting from a severe past knee injury, such as a complex fracture or severe ligament tear.
Loss of Mobility: When chronic pain, stiffness, or visible leg bowing (deformity) severely limits everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or sleeping comfortably.
Procedure & Cost Comparison
| Procedure & Feature Specs | Average US & Canada Cost | Mexico Orthopedic Center (MOC) |
| Total Knee Replacement (Single) | $35,000 – $55,000 USD | $12,995 USD |
| Partial Knee Replacement (Single) | $28,000 – $42,000 USD | $11,500 USD |
| Procedure Duration | 1.5 – 2.5 Hours | 1.5 – 2.5 Hours |
| Anesthesia Type | General or Spinal Block with Sedation | Spinal Anesthesia + Regional Nerve Block |
| Hospital Stay (Hospital Azar) | Outpatient or 1 Night ($5,000+ extra/night) | 2 Nights Included (Pre-op & Post-op) |
| Recovery Hotel Stay | Not Included (Home Discharge) | 2 Nights Included in Partner Hotel |
| Bilingual Airport Transport | Not Included | 100% Round-Trip Included (SAN Airport) |
| Post-Op Nursing & Mobility Aid | Extra Out-of-Pocket Cost | Included (Nurse visits, Walker, Medications) |
| Total Turnkey Savings | — | Save up to 70% |
All-Inclusive Packages
Navigating cross-border healthcare should be stress-free. At Mexico Orthopedic Center, your knee replacement cost covers every aspect of your clinical care and logistics. There are zero hidden fees.
✅ Surgeon & Medical Fees: All fees for your board-certified orthopedic surgeon and specialized anesthesiologist.
✅ Hospital Azar Stay (3 Nights): 1 night pre-op observation and 2 nights post-op recovery in a private suite at our state-of-the-art hospital.
✅ Luxury Hotel Recovery (1 Night): 1 night of restful recovery at a premium partner hotel in Tijuana.
✅ San Diego (SAN) VIP Transport: Dedicated bilingual chauffeur service picking you up from San Diego International Airport.
✅ Post-Op Medical Care: In-hotel nurse visits to monitor vitals, incision care, and pain management.
✅ Medications & Gear: All required post-operative medications (pain relievers, antibiotics, blood thinners) and specialized surgical garments/knee braces.
Best Knee Replacement Surgeons in Tijuana
Your joint health is in elite hands. Our procedures are performed exclusively by leading board-certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine, complex joint reconstruction, and joint preservation.
Navigating cross-border healthcare should be stress-free. At Mexico Orthopedic Center, your knee replacement surgery cost covers every aspect of your clinical care and logistics. There are zero hidden fees.
Dr. Cristian Murillo
Total joint replacement, complex joint reconstructions, subspecialized tissue-sparing surgical approaches, and structural rehabilitation. Learn more..
Credentials: Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | Certified Specialist in Minimally Invasive Joint Surgery
Dr. Héctor Alejandro Campos Reyes
Joint Arthroplasty (Knee & Hip Replacement), Shoulder/Knee Arthroscopy, and Advanced Traumatology. Over 10 years of surgical experience and 2,500+ successful joint procedures. Learn more..
Credentials: Board-Certified Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon | General License: #7231189 | Specialty License: #10394433
Hospital Azar: Modern Orthopedic Center of Excellence
All knee replacement procedures are performed at Hospital Azar, a brand-new, modern surgical facility engineered to meet top international medical standards.
Advanced Operating Suites: 4 state-of-the-art operating rooms equipped with HEPA laminar air filtration to eliminate surgical infection risks.
Critical Care Support: On-site Intensive Care Unit (ICU), high-complexity clinical laboratory, and digital imaging suite (X-Ray, CT, MRI capabilities).
Private Patient Suites: Designed for cross-border recovery with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, English-speaking nursing staff, and medical beds equipped for immediate post-op physical therapy.
Surgical Techniques: Total vs. Partial Knee Replacement
Our surgical team tailors each procedure to the exact level of articular cartilage degeneration within your knee joint.
Total Knee Replacement (TKR / Arthroplasty)
Indicated for multi-compartmental osteoarthritis. The damaged ends of the femur and tibia are resurfaced with high-durability cobalt-chrome and titanium components, separated by a high-density polyethylene spacer to restore frictionless motion.
Partial (Unicompartmental) Knee Replacement (PKR)
Indicated when cartilage degradation is confined to a single compartment (medial or lateral). Healthy cartilage and ligaments (including the ACL and PCL) are preserved, leading to a smaller incision, less post-operative swelling, and quicker recovery.
Tissue-Sparing & Custom Alignment Techniques
We utilize muscle-sparing approaches that gently navigate around quadriceps tendons rather than cutting through them, significantly reducing immediate post-operative discomfort.
Prehab & Pre-Operative Preparation
Preparing your body prior to surgery optimizes functional recovery:
Targeted Prehab Exercises
Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles 3 to 4 weeks before surgery improves bed mobility and walking gait immediately post-op.
Medical Clearance
Discontinue blood-thinning medications, NSAIDs, and non-essential supplements 7 to 10 days prior under our physician guidance.
Home Preparation
Arrange your living space on a single level if possible, clearing walkways and installing bathroom grab bars prior to departing for Tijuana.
Candidacy & Surgery Expectations
You may be a prime candidate for knee replacement in Tijuana if you experience severe knee stiffness, bone-on-bone joint friction, localized deformity (bowed legs), or chronic pain that limits daily walking and resists conservative treatments (physical therapy, cortisone injections).
During your virtual evaluation, our board-certified surgeons review your standing X-rays to confirm structural candidate eligibility.
Healing & Post Operation
Advanced Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cells for Knee Joint Support
For patients undergoing knee replacement or seeking joint preservation options, Mexico Orthopedic Center provides integrated Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Therapy.
Intra-Operative Adjunct: Stem cells can be delivered into surrounding soft tissue during surgery to accelerate micro-vascular healing, reduce systemic inflammation, and speed surrounding muscle tissue rehabilitation.
Non-Surgical Joint Preservation: For patients with early-stage osteoarthritis who do not yet require full arthroplasty, targeted stem cell infiltrations can help soothe chronic joint inflammation and support natural cartilage stability.
Incision Care & Pain Management
- Multimodal Analgesia: We employ localized nerve blocks combined with target-specific IV anti-inflammatories during and after surgery. This significantly reduces systemic opioid reliance while maintaining comfortable mobility.
- Advanced Incision Care: Incisions are closed using waterproof dermal adhesives or specialized surgical staples covered by sterile, water-resistant dressings. You will receive detailed instructions on keeping the incision clean and dry during your hotel stay and initial travel home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting a knee replacement in Tijuana, Mexico safe?
Yes. Mexico Orthopedic Center operates out of Hospital Azar, a modern facility accredited by COFEPRIS. Procedures are performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons who hold active licenses (Cédula Profesional and Cédula de Especialidad) and maintain memberships with national and international bodies such as CONACEM. We adhere strictly to US surgical protocols and use FDA-approved implants.
What is included in the $12,995 all-inclusive knee replacement cost?
Our package covers all medical and logistical fees: surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, pre-operative testing, high-grade U.S. implants, a 2-night hospital stay at Hospital Azar, a 2-night recovery hotel stay, 100% round-trip private ground transport from San Diego Airport (SAN), post-op nursing care visits, mobility aids (walker/crutches), and take-home medications.
How do I travel back home to the U.S. or Canada after knee surgery?
On Day 5, after your final surgical clearance, our driver transfers you in a comfortable, private vehicle across the border back to San Diego International Airport (SAN). We recommend requesting airport wheelchair assistance in advance for your flight home.
Can stem cell therapy be combined with my knee replacement?
Yes. Stem cell therapy can be administered during surgery to promote rapid tissue recovery around the joint capsule, or as a standalone non-surgical preservation treatment for patients with less severe joint degeneration.
How long before I can walk independently without a walker or crutches?
Most patients begin walking with a walker within 24 hours of surgery. By weeks 2 to 3, most transition to a cane, and many achieve unassisted walking between weeks 4 and 6 while undergoing structured physical therapy at home.
Your 4-Step Pathway to Surgery
Step 1: Complete Health Profile
Step 2: Eligibility Review
Step 3: Surgeon Approval
Step 4: Schedule Booking
What Happens After You Submit Your Pre-Op Health Profile?
Complete Health Check
Fill out our brief, confidential online health profile.
Eligibility Review
Our clinical intake team evaluates your medical history within 24 hours.
Surgeon Approval
Our surgeon reviews your case details to confirm surgical candidacy.
Book A Date
Select your preferred surgery dates and place your deposit to secure your surgical spot.
Complete Your Free Pre-Op Health Profile
Complete your health profile today to receive an eligibility review and a customized price quote from our surgical team within 24 hours