When can I fly home after a knee or hip replacement?

There's no evidence-based rule. Studies are limited, and surgeons' advice varies widely. Long flights of more than four hours carry a higher clot risk and usually need stronger prevention. That's why these routes allow about two weeks of rehab after discharge, and the surgeon clears you to fly. Some airlines also ask for a medical certificate, which we arrange.

How long will I be in hospital?

Usually about a week in China, longer than in some Western hospitals that use same-day or next-day discharge. You start walking with a physiotherapist as soon as you're able, usually within a day of surgery.

Why are joint replacements cheaper in China?

In 2021, China ran national volume-based procurement for artificial hip and knee joints. Implant prices fell by 82% on average (hip implants from about ¥35,000 to about ¥7,000; knees from about ¥32,000 to about ¥5,000). Surgery and hospital fees are charged separately.

Which implant will I get?

The surgeon recommends an implant for your joint, and the make and model are named in your quote and recorded in your discharge papers, so your doctors at home know exactly what you have.

How much does an orthopaedic tour cost?

It depends on the operation, the hospital, the length of rehab and the hotel. Send us your X-rays or MRI and your dates, and we'll reply with an itemised quote.

Can a family member come?

We recommend it. A companion helps a lot in the first weeks after surgery, and can stay at the rehab hotel with you.

Photo: Windmemories · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Orthopaedic & rehab tours · 2026

A new joint,
and time to heal properly.

Four routes at China's National Orthopaedic Medical Centre hospitals and leading teaching hospitals: knee or hip replacement with about two weeks of rehab before you fly, or a short trip for a sports-injury opinion. We don't rush: long flights soon after surgery raise clot risk, so the surgeon clears you to travel.

Plan my trip

Routes

Four routes,
paced for recovery.

The White Dagoba on Jade Island in Beihai Park rising above willows, with a marble bridge and lotus leaves on the lake

Beijing 北京 · 21 days / 20 nights

Beijing · Joint Replacement & Rehab

Surgery at a national orthopaedic centre, then rehab until you're ready to fly.

Orthopaedic program: Joint replacement + rehab

View route

The steel lattice of the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest) above a grassy foreground under a pale sky

Beijing 北京 · 7 days / 6 nights

Beijing · Sports Injuries & Joint Pain

A second opinion from the birthplace of Chinese sports medicine.

Orthopaedic program: Sports injury & joint pain

View route

Historic stone buildings on Shanghai's Bund, including the green-roofed Peace Hotel and the Bank of China, seen across the Huangpu River

Shanghai 上海 · 21 days / 20 nights

Shanghai · Joint Replacement by the Bund

Joint replacement at the other half of China's national orthopaedic centre.

Orthopaedic program: Joint replacement + rehab

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The red-pillared Anlan Suspension Bridge spanning the fast Min River at Dujiangyan, below a forested hill with a pavilion

Chengdu 成都 · 21 days / 20 nights

Chengdu · Fast-Track Joint Replacement

Enhanced-recovery joint replacement, then a slow, teahouse-paced rehab.

Orthopaedic program: Joint replacement + rehab

View route

Not sure which route fits?

Tell us about your joint, your X-rays and how long you can stay. We'll recommend a route — free, within 48 hours.

Help me choose Get a free quote

Programs

Three kinds of orthopaedic trip.

About 3 weeks

Joint replacement + rehab

Knee or hip replacement at a national orthopaedic centre, about a week in hospital, then around two weeks of daily physiotherapy nearby until the surgeon clears you to fly. Long-haul flights soon after surgery raise clot risk, so we don't rush it.

Beijing

Rehab stay

Had surgery at home? A supervised rehabilitation stay at China's national rehabilitation research centre in Beijing, built around daily therapy, available on request on the Beijing route.

Short trip

Sports injury & joint pain

For knee, shoulder or ankle problems: a specialist opinion, scans and non-surgical treatment where suitable, with honest advice on whether surgery would help.

Prices, implants and procedures are covered in our orthopaedic surgery guide.

Compare

All routes at a glance

Route	Setting	Orthopaedic program	Best for	Length
Beijing · Joint Replacement & Rehab	Beihai Park · Hutongs by rickshaw · Temple of Heaven park	Joint replacement + rehab	Knee or hip arthritis needing replacement	21 days / 20 nights
Beijing · Sports Injuries & Joint Pain	Olympic Park · Summer Palace · 798 Art District	Sports injury & joint pain	Knee, shoulder or ankle injuries; second opinions	7 days / 6 nights
Shanghai · Joint Replacement by the Bund	The Bund · Former French Concession · Huangpu River cruise	Joint replacement + rehab	Knee or hip arthritis needing replacement	21 days / 20 nights
Chengdu · Fast-Track Joint Replacement	People's Park teahouse · Giant panda base · Wenshu Monastery	Joint replacement + rehab	Knee or hip arthritis; travellers who like a slow pace	21 days / 20 nights

How it works

Recovery sets the pace.

Before you fly

Plan from home

Send X-rays or MRI and your history. A surgeon reviews them and tells you whether surgery is likely to be offered, before anything is booked.

Days 1–10

Assess, then operate

A full assessment and tests, surgery only once you agree, and about a week in hospital with early walking.

Days 11–21

Rehab until you're ready

Daily physiotherapy near the hospital, gentle step-free outings, and the surgeon's clearance before you fly.

Have recent X-rays or MRI?

Send them with a short history. An orthopaedic surgeon tells you whether surgery is likely to help and how long the trip would need to be.

Send my scans Orthopaedic guide

FAQ

Orthopaedic & Rehab Tours — answered.

When can I fly home after a knee or hip replacement?: There's no evidence-based rule. Studies are limited, and surgeons' advice varies widely. Long flights of more than four hours carry a higher clot risk and usually need stronger prevention. That's why these routes allow about two weeks of rehab after discharge, and the surgeon clears you to fly. Some airlines also ask for a medical certificate, which we arrange.
How long will I be in hospital?: Usually about a week in China, longer than in some Western hospitals that use same-day or next-day discharge. You start walking with a physiotherapist as soon as you're able, usually within a day of surgery.
Why are joint replacements cheaper in China?: In 2021, China ran national volume-based procurement for artificial hip and knee joints. Implant prices fell by 82% on average (hip implants from about ¥35,000 to about ¥7,000; knees from about ¥32,000 to about ¥5,000). Surgery and hospital fees are charged separately.
Which implant will I get?: The surgeon recommends an implant for your joint, and the make and model are named in your quote and recorded in your discharge papers, so your doctors at home know exactly what you have.
How much does an orthopaedic tour cost?: It depends on the operation, the hospital, the length of rehab and the hotel. Send us your X-rays or MRI and your dates, and we'll reply with an itemised quote.
Can a family member come?: We recommend it. A companion helps a lot in the first weeks after surgery, and can stay at the rehab hotel with you.

Pick a route,
we’ll handle the rest.

Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and send any X-rays or MRI. We’ll match the hospital and program, then send an itemised quote.

Plan my trip Orthopaedic surgery guide

A new joint,
and time to heal properly.