Patient story · Shanghai
M. (64, United States) — Total knee replacement
California retiree quoted $65,000 cash at home, paid $14,800 all-in at Ruijin VIP — back hiking at 12 weeks.
"I was bracing for either bankruptcy or another decade limping. Instead I was on a Bund-side dinner cruise on day 9."
M. (64, California) had bilateral medial-compartment osteoarthritis. After two failed corticosteroid cycles and a hyaluronic-acid course, his orthopedist recommended unilateral total knee replacement. The cash quote at his preferred Bay Area hospital — outside his Medicare Advantage network — came in at $65,000 all-in.
He found Panda Touring Care via a Reddit r/medicaltourism thread, completed the quote wizard with his MRI and x-rays, and received two written quotes within 5 business days: $14,800 at Ruijin Hospital VIP International (Shanghai) and $16,400 at Shanghai United Family. Both used a Stryker Triathlon implant — the same system he had been quoted at home.
M. flew Shanghai on a 10-year M-visa, completed pre-op workup on day 1, was operated on day 3, transferred to the orthopedic step-down ward day 4, and discharged to the partner hotel on day 6. His US-trained anaesthesiologist handled spinal block and PCA pump. Physical therapy began on day 1 post-op; he walked unassisted by day 5 and flew home with a fly-clearance letter on day 12.
At 12 weeks post-op, his Knee Society Score was 92/100. Out-of-pocket including airfare and 14 nights of accommodation: $19,200 — a 70% saving versus his US cash quote, with comparable implant and Class A clinical pathway.
Total knee replacement (TKA) in China
Class A orthopaedic centres in China perform total knee arthroplasty with international-brand implants (Zimmer, Stryker, DePuy) at roughly one-third of US private-pay pricing.
HospitalRuijin Hospital
Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Ranked nationally in hematology, endocrinology, and burns; employs over 6,000 staff across its Huangpu campus.
ConditionKnee osteoarthritis treatment in China
Full-spectrum knee OA care at Class A orthopaedic and sports medicine centres — conservative management, BMAC and PRP, and total knee replacement with international-brand implants.
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