Orthopaedic & Rehab Tours · Beijing 北京
Beijing
Joint Replacement & Rehab
About three weeks for a knee or hip replacement at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, one half of China's National Orthopaedic Medical Centre, followed by daily physiotherapy (with an option at the China Rehabilitation Research Center) and gentle outings to Beihai Park and the hutongs.
Trip length
21 days / 20 nights
Orthopaedic program
Joint replacement + rehab
Best time to go
April–June and September–October
Best for
Knee or hip arthritis needing replacement
Overview
Surgery at a national orthopaedic centre, then rehab until you're ready to fly.
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, founded in 1956, is a top-grade public hospital whose lead specialty is orthopaedics. With Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital it forms China's National Orthopaedic Medical Centre, and it holds national key clinical specialties in orthopaedics, hand surgery and sports medicine. It has adult joint surgery, rehabilitation medicine and an international medical department.
For a longer supervised rehab, the China Rehabilitation Research Center (Beijing Boai Hospital), which runs an international medical department for foreign patients, can host the second half of the stay.
This route suits
- Adults whose knee or hip arthritis no longer responds to other treatment
- Patients facing long waiting lists at home
- People who want surgery at a national orthopaedic centre
- Travellers who can bring a companion for three weeks
Orthopaedic program · Joint replacement + rehab
What the orthopaedic care covers
Assessment & plan
Surgery is only confirmed once the surgeon has examined you.
- Review of your X-rays or MRI before you travel
- Consultation and examination with an orthopaedic surgeon (English interpreting)
- Pre-operative tests: blood tests, ECG and anything else needed
- Written plan with implant type and itemised price
Joint replacement
Knee or hip replacement with an enhanced-recovery pathway.
- Total or partial knee replacement, or total hip replacement
- Walking with a physiotherapist as early as you're able, usually within a day
- Blood-clot prevention: medicine, stockings and early movement
- Hospital stay of about a week, depending on progress
Rehabilitation
Daily physiotherapy until you're safe to fly home.
- Daily physiotherapy sessions after discharge
- Walking aids and a home exercise programme
- Wound check and stitch or clip removal
- Surgeon review and fitness-to-fly clearance before departure
Records & handover
So your doctor and physiotherapist at home can take over.
- Written summary in English, including the implant make and model
- X-rays and scans to take home
- Rehab plan for your physiotherapist at home
- Follow-up video call with your coordinator
Surgery is confirmed by the surgeon after examining you, not before. More on procedures, implants and prices: orthopaedic surgery guide · sports medicine
Not sure surgery is the answer?
Send your X-rays or MRI and a short history. A surgeon tells you what your Beijing trip could involve — free, with no obligation.
Treatment timeline
How the treatment fits the trip
| Visit | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Before surgery | Assessment, tests and a final decision with the surgeon. |
| About one week | In hospital | Surgery and the first days of walking and physiotherapy. |
| About two weeks | Rehab stay | Daily physiotherapy near the hospital, gentle outings, surgeon review and clearance to fly. |
| Afterwards | At home | Physiotherapy with your own team using the plan we provide; a check-up at about six weeks. |
Built around recovery
How this trip protects your recovery
- Assessment and tests in the first three days, with no rush to the operating theatre
- Walking with a physiotherapist from the day after surgery, or sooner
- Rehab hotel close to the hospital, with step-free access
- Outings only once you're confident with walking aids, by car, wheelchair or electric cart
- Surgeon clearance before booking the flight home
Assessment day
What happens at the clinic
| 09:00 | Meet your coordinator at the hotel and travel to the hospital. Bring your passport, scans and medicines list. |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | Registration and history with an interpreter. |
| 10:00 | Examination by the orthopaedic surgeon; X-rays repeated if needed. |
| 11:00 | Pre-operative tests: blood tests, ECG and anything else the anaesthetist needs. |
| Afternoon | Plan, implant and price explained in writing. Surgery only goes ahead once you agree. |
Itinerary · 21 days / 20 nights
Day by day
- Days 1–3
Arrive & assessment
- Pick-up and hotel check-in
- Surgeon consultation, examination and pre-operative tests
- Plan, implant and price agreed in writing
Overnight: Hotel near the hospital
- Days 4–10
Surgery & hospital stay
- Knee or hip replacement
- Walking with a physiotherapist from the first day or so
- Daily physiotherapy on the ward until discharge
Overnight: Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
- Days 11–14
Rehab week 1
- Daily physiotherapy (outpatient, or at the China Rehabilitation Research Center)
- Short outing: hutongs by rickshaw
Overnight: Rehab hotel
- Days 15–19
Rehab week 2
- Daily physiotherapy
- Wound check and stitch or clip removal
- Outings: Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven
Overnight: Rehab hotel
- Day 20
Clearance
- Surgeon review and fitness-to-fly clearance
- Records, X-rays and rehab plan handed over
Overnight: Rehab hotel
- Day 21
Depart
- Wheelchair assistance arranged at the airport
Make this itinerary yours
Change the dates, add rest days, upgrade hotels or combine it with another route. Your coordinator sends a revised plan and itemised quote.
Travel
What you’ll see
Beihai Park
An imperial lake garden with the White Dagoba on Jade Island, flat paths and electric boats.
Tip: A good first outing: flat, with benches everywhere.
Hutongs by rickshaw
Old lanes around Shichahai and Houhai, seen from a pedicab.
Tip: No walking needed.
Temple of Heaven park
The Ming altar complex in a large park, with morning tai chi and wheelchair-friendly main paths.
Tip: Ask for a wheelchair at the entrance if needed.
Summer Palace by boat
The imperial garden on Kunming Lake, best seen from the water.
Tip: Save it for the last week, when walking is easier.
Hospitals
Where the treatment happens
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University 北京积水潭医院
Public general hospital (3A), orthopaedics-led · Capital Medical University
Founded in 1956. With Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital it forms China's National Orthopaedic Medical Centre, and it holds national key clinical specialties including orthopaedics, hand surgery and sports medicine. Departments include adult joint surgery, sports medicine, rehabilitation medicine and a pain clinic, plus an international medical department.
We use it for
- Knee and hip replacement
- Rehabilitation
- Sports medicine
China Rehabilitation Research Center (Beijing Boai Hospital) 中国康复研究中心
Rehabilitation-specialist general hospital (3A) · China Disabled Persons' Federation
Founded in 1988, with 1,100 beds; also runs Capital Medical University's School of Rehabilitation Medicine. Its international medical department serves foreign patients and offers multidisciplinary consultations.
We use it for
- Supervised rehab stays
- Physiotherapy after joint surgery
The hospital and surgeon are confirmed after reviewing your scans, dates and availability. An English-speaking coordinator accompanies you to every appointment. Ask for the implant make and model in writing in your quote.
Worried about the flight home?
Tell us where you're flying to. We'll plan the rehab so the surgeon can clear you to fly, and arrange airport wheelchair assistance and any certificate your airline needs.
Aftercare
Travelling after joint surgery
Blood clots
Keep up the clot-prevention medicine and stockings you're given, walk regularly, and drink water. On long journeys, move around at least every hour or so.
Flying
Only once your surgeon has cleared you. Book an aisle seat, ask for wheelchair assistance at the airport, and carry your discharge summary.
Exercises
Do your physiotherapy exercises every day. They matter more than anything else for how well the new joint works.
Warning signs
Calf pain or swelling, chest pain, breathlessness, fever or a red, leaking wound need urgent medical attention, wherever you are.
General guidance only. Follow the instructions of your own surgeon and physiotherapist.
Practical tips
Before you go
- Bring loose trousers or shorts that fit over a bandaged knee, and slip-on shoes.
- A companion can stay at the rehab hotel. Most patients find the first week much easier with one.
- Send recent X-rays (or MRI for sports injuries) and a summary of your symptoms and treatments so far.
- Bring a full list of medicines. Blood thinners and some arthritis drugs may need stopping before surgery, but only on medical advice.
- Have dental problems checked before a joint replacement; infections elsewhere can affect the new joint.
- Plan your home: a chair with arms, no loose rugs, and help for the first weeks back.
FAQ
Beijing orthopaedic & rehab tour — answered.
- Can I have both knees done?
- Sometimes, at the same operation or a few days apart, depending on your health. The surgeon decides at the assessment. Rehab takes longer, so the trip would be extended.
- Can I do rehab at the China Rehabilitation Research Center instead of as an outpatient?
- Yes, on request. It's a hospital dedicated to rehabilitation with an international medical department. Ask when you send your details and we'll check availability.
- 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.
Related guides
Other routes
Beijing · Sports Injuries & Joint Pain
7 days / 6 nights · Knee, shoulder or ankle injuries; second opinions
View routeShanghai · Joint Replacement by the Bund
21 days / 20 nights · Knee or hip arthritis needing replacement
View routeChengdu · Fast-Track Joint Replacement
21 days / 20 nights · Knee or hip arthritis; travellers who like a slow pace
View routeBeijing, care included.
Get your itemised quote.
Share your dates, who’s travelling and any X-rays or MRI. We’ll confirm the hospital, program and rehab hotel, and pace the trip around your recovery.