Knee surgery in Turkey | Techniques, prices & best surgeons

Knee structure

The knee is a complex joint that connects the lower end of the femur (the thigh bone),the upper end of the tibia (the leg bone),and the patella (the kneecap). These three bony structures articulate with each other via surfaces covered in cartilage. This smooth, resilient tissue enables the bones to glide over each other without friction.

The two menisci, one internal and one external, are semicircular structures located between the femur and the tibia. These rings of fibrocartilage play a key role in shock absorption, charge distribution, and joint stabilization.

Four main ligaments ensure this stability:

• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) control back-and-forth movement.
• The medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament stabilize the joint on either side.

These ligaments act like cables, ensuring knee stability and limiting excessive movement, particularly during physical exertion or sudden movements.

Causes of knee disease

The knee is an essential joint for mobility. Though powerful, it is also vulnerable and one of the joints most exposed to pain and injury. Knee disorders can quickly become disabling and impact your quality of life, whether due to trauma, age-related wear and tear, or mechanical imbalance.

That's why identifying the precise origin of the pain is essential to choosing the most appropriate treatment, whether it be medical, surgical, or preventive.

Below are the main causes of knee disease, grouped by type:

Traumatic causes

These injuries often occur suddenly following a fall, accident, or intense effort, particularly during sports:

• Fractures of the knee bone (femur, tibia, or patella).
• Torn ligaments (such as the anterior cruciate ligament).
• Cartilage or meniscus damage.
• Sprains, contusions, and dislocations.

Degenerative causes

With age or excessive stress, certain structures gradually wear out or deteriorate:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee (gonarthrosis).
• Degeneration of the meniscus
• Mild bone dystrophies

Growth-related or inflammatory causes

Other disorders may appear in adolescents or specific pathologies:

• Osgood-Schlatter syndrome (often seen in young athletes).
• Hygroma of the knee (inflammation-related bursitis).
• Patella misalignment or structural deformities.

Some of these conditions can be treated with rest, rehabilitation, or medication. Others may require surgery.

A precise diagnosis by a knee specialist is essential to identifying the cause of your pain and choosing the most appropriate treatment.

Types of knee surgery in Turkey

Several surgical techniques are available in Turkey to treat knee pathologies. The type of surgery depends on the nature of the injury, the patient's age and lifestyle, and the joint's overall condition. The main options are as follows:

Total knee replacement (total prosthesis)

This surgery is often recommended for cases of severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis when the joint is too damaged to be repaired. It involves removing the damaged joint and replacing it with a knee prosthesis made of metal, ceramic, or plastic.

This procedure is recommended when pain persists despite medical treatment, mobility is reduced, and quality of life is severely impacted.

Knee osteotomy

In this procedure, the leg bones are cut and realigned to relieve pressure on the damaged area of the knee. It is often used on younger patients with localized osteoarthritis or a poorly healed fracture.

The goal of this operation is to preserve the natural knee joint and delay or avoid the need for a prosthesis.

Knee arthroscopy

This minimally invasive surgery enables us to work on the joint through tiny incisions using a micro-camera and fine instruments.

It is used to:

• Repair or remove a torn meniscus.
• Reconstruct an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
• Remove damaged cartilage

Arthroscopy is mainly intended for patients with traumatic injuries or mechanical symptoms (such as locking) when conservative treatments, such as physiotherapy and medication, are no longer sufficient. It is generally not recommended for pain caused by knee osteoarthritis or by age-related meniscus wear alone.

Partial knee prosthesis (Unicompartmental)

Unlike a total knee replacement, this procedure only replaces one compartment of the joint (medial or lateral),preserving most of the natural knee.

It is recommended for patients with localized osteoarthritis and active or relatively young individuals.

Ligament reconstruction (ACL/PCL)

This surgery is often performed on athletes and aims to reconstruct a ruptured ligament (anterior or posterior cruciate) using a graft taken from the patient or synthetic tissue.

This procedure is indicated for cases of knee instability, severe sprains, and loss of physical performance.

Knee synovectomy

This procedure removes the synovial membrane in cases of persistent chronic inflammation, particularly in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is recommended when synovitis no longer responds to medication.

Wondering which option is best for you? A personalized assessment with an orthopedic surgeon in Turkey will help determine the best treatment for you.

Knee diseases

The knee is a complex, highly stressed joint that is vulnerable to many pathologies. These include:

Meniscus injuries

Meniscus damage can occur for various reasons and at any age. Young people and athletes may experience severe knee pain associated with medial meniscus damage.

As people age, their menisci begin to degenerate and become less elastic; they can be damaged by simple movements. Depending on the type and extent of the injury and the patient's age, arthroscopic surgery may involve meniscectomy, which consists of removing the injured part of the meniscus while leaving the healthy part, or meniscal repair using special suturing techniques.

Ligament injuries

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) result from sudden trauma or stress to the knee beyond normal movement. An ACL rupture usually causes pain, swelling, and instability.

ACL reconstruction is indicated when the knee is not functioning well. This can occur not only during sports activities but also during everyday movements. The injured ligament is reconstructed with a graft, taken from the patient's own tendon (for example the hamstring, patellar or quadriceps tendon) or, in some cases, from a donor. The choice of graft is made by your surgeon.

Cartilage damage

The cartilage that covers the articular parts of the femur, tibia, and patella can be damaged by trauma or arthritis. In such cases, arthroscopy can help determine the extent of the damage, together with imaging such as MRI.

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint problem. It can affect any joint in the body and lead to cartilage damage.

Knee osteoarthritis, also known as gonarthrosis, damages the joint's cartilage, increasing friction between the bones. This condition can severely handicap the affected person. Total knee replacement is a solution when the disease is at an advanced stage and conservative treatments are no longer sufficient.

Risks and complications of knee surgery

Knee surgery can relieve pain and restore mobility, but like any surgery it carries risks, and results cannot be guaranteed. The risks depend on the procedure, your age and your general health.

Risks common to most knee operations

• Infection of the wound or the joint, which may require antibiotics or further surgery.
• Blood clots in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis),which can in rare cases reach the lungs. Early mobilization and, when prescribed, anticoagulant treatment reduce this risk.
• Stiffness of the knee or persistent pain, which is why rehabilitation is essential.
• Bleeding, swelling and bruising.
• Rare injuries to nerves or blood vessels.
• Anesthesia-related risks, assessed before surgery.

Risks specific to some procedures

• Knee prosthesis: wear, loosening, instability or failure of the implant, which can require a revision surgery.
• Ligament reconstruction (ACL/PCL): re-tear, residual instability or incomplete return to sport.
• Meniscus surgery and arthroscopy: persistent pain, incomplete recovery or progression of osteoarthritis.
• Osteotomy: delayed bone healing or the need for hardware removal.

Contact your surgeon or seek emergency care if you have fever, increasing pain, redness or discharge at the wound, a swollen and painful calf, chest pain or sudden shortness of breath. Your surgeon will discuss the risks specific to your case and the realistic recovery you can expect before the operation.

Preparing for knee surgery

The preparation process can vary depending on the type of surgery to be performed.

Generally, clinical analyses, instrumental tests, and exercises are required to improve the muscle condition of the leg.

Tell your surgeon about all the medications you take. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (including aspirin) must never be stopped on your own: your surgeon and your prescribing doctor will tell you whether, when and how to stop or adjust them, which is often several days before the operation. In all cases, your specialist in Turkey will provide all necessary information to help you prepare for the operation.

Rehabilitation after knee surgery in Turkey

No matter the nature of the surgery (prosthesis, ligament, arthroscopy, etc.),it is only the first step towards returning to an active life. Rehabilitation plays a fundamental role in restoring mobility, managing pain, and preventing postoperative complications.

Rehabilitation typically begins 24 to 48 hours after surgery, unless the surgeon indicates otherwise. It aims to:

• Reduce pain and inflammation.
• Prevent joint stiffness.
• Strengthen the muscles around the knee.
• Restore a stable gait.
• Recover full joint mobility.
• Promote a gradual return to activity.

Phases of postoperative rehabilitation

The duration of rehabilitation depends on the type of surgery you had and your initial physical condition. The main stages are as follows:

Should you undergo rehabilitation in a specialized center or at home?

In Turkey, you can choose between an intensive rehabilitation program at a clinic or a personalized at-home support program.

• In the center: you will have access to supervised sessions with adapted equipment, hydrotherapy, cryotherapy, and progressive exercises.
• At home: you will receive a remote physiotherapy program with video supervision and regular follow-ups with the medical team.

Our partners also offer tele-rehabilitation solutions, which are ideal for continuing your exercises after you return home.

At Turquie Santé, we prioritize continuity of care. Your rehabilitation program is planned in coordination with your orthopedic surgeon and physiotherapist. You will receive personalized medical follow-up even after you return home.

Would you like to learn more about the rehabilitation options available after knee surgery? We can help you organize a complete, worry-free care stay.