How to Plan Your Knee Replacement Trip to India — A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for International Patients

Planning surgery abroad has a specific sequence — and each step depends on the one before it. This guide walks through every phase from sending your first X-ray to boarding your return flight: medical visa, reports to carry, what to arrange before you travel, the right questions to ask your surgeon, and what to pack.

By Gaf Healthcare Editorial Team

2026-05-08

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<div class="trust-bar"> <span>✅ <strong>Medically Reviewed</strong> — GAF Healthcare Orthopaedic Team</span> <div class="t-div"></div> <span>📅 <strong>Updated:</strong> May 2026</span> <div class="t-div"></div> <span>🕐 <strong>13 min</strong> read</span> <div class="t-div"></div> <span>🌍 <strong>50+ countries</strong> served</span> </div>

<span class="article-label">Orthopedics · Trip Planning Guide</span> <h1>How to Plan Your Knee Replacement Trip to India — A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for International Patients</h1> <p class="deck">Planning surgery abroad involves more decisions than planning surgery at home. This guide walks through every step — from sending your first X-ray to boarding your return flight — so that nothing is left to chance and nothing is discovered at the wrong moment.</p>

<div class="qa-box"> <div class="qa-head">⚡ Planning Timeline at a Glance</div> <div class="qa-grid"> <div class="qa-card g"> <div class="qa-clabel">Start Planning</div> <div class="qa-cval">6–8 weeks before travel</div> <div class="qa-csub">Send reports, get estimates</div> </div> <div class="qa-card g"> <div class="qa-clabel">Apply for Visa</div> <div class="qa-cval">4 weeks before</div> <div class="qa-csub">e-Medical Visa: 3–7 days</div> </div> <div class="qa-card g"> <div class="qa-clabel">Arrive in India</div> <div class="qa-cval">2–3 days before surgery</div> <div class="qa-csub">Pre-op tests & surgeon consult</div> </div> <div class="qa-card g"> <div class="qa-clabel">Surgery & Hospital</div> <div class="qa-cval">Day 3–8 of trip</div> <div class="qa-csub">3–5 night stay</div> </div> <div class="qa-card a"> <div class="qa-clabel">Total Time in India</div> <div class="qa-cval">18–25 days</div> <div class="qa-csub">Before flying home safely</div> </div> </div> <p class="qa-note"><strong>The most common planning mistake:</strong> underestimating how much time is needed in India after surgery. Hospital discharge is not the end of the India phase — it is the beginning of the outpatient physiotherapy phase, which must be completed before any long-haul flight. Planning your return ticket as fixed and early is the most common cause of complications.</p> </div>

<div class="wa-center"> <a href="https://wa.me/919044346292?text=Hello%2C%20I%20want%20to%20plan%20knee%20replacement%20in%20India%20and%20need%20help%20with%20the%20process" class="wa-btn" target="_blank"> <svg width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="#fff"><path d="M17.472 14.382c-.297-.149-1.758-.867-2.03-.967-.273-.099-.471-.148-.67.15-.197.297-.767.966-.94 1.164-.173.199-.347.223-.644.075-.297-.15-1.255-.463-2.39-1.475-.883-.788-1.48-1.761-1.653-2.059-.173-.297-.018-.458.13-.606.134-.133.298-.347.446-.52.149-.174.198-.298.298-.497.099-.198.os-.371-.025-.52-.075-.149-.669-1.612-.916-2.207-.242-.579-.487-.5-.669-.51-.173-.008-.371-.01-.57-.01-.198 0-.52.074-.792.372-.272.297-1.04 1.016-1.04 2.479 0 1.462 1.065 2.875 1.213 3.074.149.198 2.096 3.2 5.077 4.487.709.306 1.262.489 1.694.625.712.227 1.36.195 1.871.118.571-.085 1.758-.719 2.006-1.413.248-.694.248-1.289.173-1.413-.074-.124-.272-.198-.57-.347m-5.421 7.403h-.004a9.87 9.87 0 01-5.031-1.378l-.361-.214-3.741.982.998-3.648-.235-.374a9.86 9.86 0 01-1.51-5.26c.001-5.45 4.436-9.884 9.888-9.884 2.64 0 5.122 1.03 6.988 2.898a9.825 9.825 0 012.893 6.994c-.003 5.45-4.437 9.884-9.885 9.884m8.413-18.297A11.815 11.815 0 0012.05 0C5.495 0 .16 5.335.157 11.892c0 2.096.547 4.142 1.588 5.945L.057 24l6.305-1.654a11.882 11.882 0 005.683 1.448h.005c6.554 0 11.89-5.335 11.893-11.893a11.821 11.821 0 00-3.48-8.413z"/></svg> WhatsApp — Start Planning Your Trip Free </a> <div class="wa-sub">Arabic · English · Russian · +91 90443 46292</div> </div>

<p>Most patients who travel to India for knee replacement have never arranged surgery abroad before. The process is less complicated than it looks — but it has a specific sequence, and each step depends on the one before it.</p>

<p>This guide is organised chronologically. Start at the beginning and work through it in order. By the end, nothing should be left unplanned.</p>

<h2>Phase-by-Phase Planning — The Complete Sequence</h2>

</div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">1</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">6–8 Weeks Before Travel</div> <div class="phase-title">Gather Your Reports and Get a Clinical Assessment</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🩻</span><span><strong>Collect your weight-bearing X-rays</strong> — both knees, standing, AP and lateral views. If your existing X-rays were taken lying down, request standing views specifically. The joint space looks significantly different under load and non-load, and standing X-rays are what surgeons use for surgical planning.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🧲</span><span><strong>Gather your MRI</strong> if you have one, though it is not always required for a primary knee replacement assessment. If you have an MRI, include it regardless — more information is always better than less.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📋</span><span><strong>Write a summary of your medical history</strong> — current medications, allergies, previous surgeries, known heart, kidney, or lung conditions. This does not need to be formal. A clear list is sufficient.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📝</span><span><strong>List the conservative treatments you have tried</strong> — medications and doses, physiotherapy duration, any injections received and when. This establishes that you meet the criteria for surgery.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📤</span><span><strong>Send everything to GAF Healthcare</strong>. Our orthopaedic team reviews your case within 24 hours and provides: a clinical opinion on which procedure is appropriate, a hospital recommendation, and a written itemised cost estimate. This is the foundation everything else is built on.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 You do not need to decide on a hospital before sending your reports. The clinical assessment determines the recommendation — not the other way around.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">2</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">5–6 Weeks Before Travel</div> <div class="phase-title">Confirm Your Hospital and Request the Visa Invitation Letter</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏥</span><span><strong>Confirm your hospital choice</strong> — <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/apollo-hospitals-new-delhi">Apollo</a>, <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/fortis-memorial-research-institute-gurgaon">Fortis</a>, <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/medanta-the-medicity-gurgaon">Medanta</a>, or <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/max-super-speciality-hospital-saket">Max</a> — based on the GAF Healthcare recommendation, your source country flight connections, and any insurance considerations.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📄</span><span><strong>Request the hospital invitation letter</strong> (also called the Appointment Letter or Appendix II letter). The hospital issues this within 24 hours of confirming your admission. It names the hospital, your diagnosis, your proposed procedure, and the approximate treatment dates. This letter is required for your medical visa application.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">💳</span><span><strong>Verify your insurance coverage</strong> if applicable. Gulf insurance plans (Daman, Tawuniya) and international plans (Bupa Global, Cigna, AXA PPP) can be verified directly by GAF Healthcare — we contact your insurer and confirm coverage and pre-authorisation requirements. This takes 2–3 working days.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">✈️</span><span><strong>Book your flights — but keep them flexible.</strong> Book changeable tickets rather than fixed fares at this stage. The return date cannot be set in stone because it depends on your Doppler ultrasound result and surgeon clearance after surgery. A change fee on a flexible ticket is far less costly than the risk of being cleared to fly later than expected.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 For the companion travelling with you: the Medical Attendant Visa (e-MX Visa) must be applied at the same time as the patient's visa. A maximum of two attendants are permitted under this category.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">3</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">4 Weeks Before Travel</div> <div class="phase-title">Apply for Your India Medical Visa</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🌐</span><span><strong>Apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in</strong>. Select "Medical" as your visa purpose. The e-Medical Visa (e-MV) is available to citizens of over 160 countries and is processed entirely online — no embassy visit required for most nationalities.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📎</span><span><strong>Documents required for the e-Medical Visa:</strong> Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and two blank pages. The hospital invitation letter. A recent passport-size photograph (white background). Your home country doctor's referral letter or recent medical report confirming your condition. Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">⏱️</span><span><strong>Processing time:</strong> e-Medical Visa is typically approved in 3–7 working days. For complex cases or certain nationalities, the regular Medical (MED) Visa through an embassy appointment takes 10–15 working days. Apply 4 weeks before travel to have adequate buffer.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">✅</span><span><strong>The e-Medical Visa allows three entries within 60 days</strong> — sufficient for surgery and recovery. If your stay needs to exceed 60 days (as with two-stage revision surgery), you can extend through the e-FRRO portal with a hospital letter supporting the extension.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">📋</span><span><strong>After arriving in India, register with FRRO within 14 days</strong> if your stay exceeds 180 days. For knee replacement patients (typically 18–25 days), registration is not required unless you extend your stay significantly.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">⚠️ Never travel to India for planned surgery on a tourist visa. As of 2026, hospitals are legally required to report international admissions to the FRRO and are barred from admitting patients without a valid medical visa. If discovered, this can result in deportation and future visa refusal.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">4</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">2–3 Weeks Before Travel</div> <div class="phase-title">Arrange Accommodation, Transfers, and Pre-Travel Preparation</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏨</span><span><strong>Book post-discharge accommodation</strong> near your hospital before you travel. After 3–5 days in hospital, you will be staying at a nearby hotel or serviced apartment for 10–14 days of outpatient physiotherapy. GAF Healthcare arranges this at partner guesthouses with negotiated rates and daily hospital transfer included.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🚗</span><span><strong>Confirm airport pickup.</strong> GAF Healthcare arranges a private car from IGI Airport to your hospital on arrival. This is not a detail to improvise when you are jet-lagged and possibly in pain. Confirm the transfer at least 48 hours before your flight, sharing your arrival terminal and flight number.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏠</span><span><strong>Prepare your home before you leave.</strong> You will return using a walking aid. Before departure: arrange a raised toilet seat, a firm chair with armrests, remove loose rugs and trip hazards, move frequently used items to accessible heights, and ensure someone is available to support you at home in the first 2 weeks after return.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏋️</span><span><strong>Consider prehabilitation.</strong> Patients who strengthen their quadriceps before surgery recover faster afterwards. A simple home exercise programme — quad sets, straight leg raises, heel slides — done 2–3 times daily for 2 weeks before travel makes a measurable difference to early post-operative recovery.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">💊</span><span><strong>Manage current medications carefully.</strong> Some medications must be stopped before surgery — blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) typically 5–7 days before, certain anti-inflammatories 3–5 days before. Your Indian surgeon will send specific pre-operative instructions. Do not stop or change medications without explicit guidance.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 Book your return flight at least 25 days after your surgery date and make it changeable. Do not tell your employer or family a definitive return date until your surgeon gives clearance after the Doppler ultrasound at Week 3.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">5</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">1–2 Days After Arrival in India</div> <div class="phase-title">Hospital Admission and Pre-Operative Assessment</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏥</span><span><strong>Arrive at the hospital for formal admission.</strong> Your international patient coordinator meets you at reception. Admission paperwork, insurance pre-authorisation (if applicable), and initial nursing assessment are completed.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">👨‍⚕️</span><span><strong>Meet your surgeon in person.</strong> This is the first in-person consultation. The surgical plan is confirmed — implant choice (brand and model), procedure type (conventional or robotic), anaesthesia approach. This is your opportunity to ask all questions and confirm everything you agreed during remote consultation.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🧪</span><span><strong>Pre-operative investigations are completed.</strong> Blood tests (CBC, electrolytes, coagulation, renal function), ECG, chest X-ray, and anaesthesiologist review. For robotic surgery: a CT scan of the knee for 3D surgical planning. These are conducted in the hospital and results reviewed before the surgery date is confirmed.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🍽️</span><span><strong>Nil by mouth from midnight before surgery.</strong> No food or water after midnight on the night before your procedure. You may be asked to start on a bowel preparation or anti-septic body wash the night before — your nursing team will advise.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 Use the day before surgery to rest, not to sightsee. You will feel more anxious than you expect. Rest, hydrate well during the hours you are allowed to drink, and focus on the conversations you want to have with your surgical team.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">6</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">Surgery Day and Hospital Stay</div> <div class="phase-title">Surgery, Recovery, and Hospital Discharge</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏥</span><span><strong>Surgery takes 60–90 minutes</strong> for a standard single knee replacement. You will not be aware of anything during this time. You are moved to recovery for 2–3 hours of monitoring before returning to your room.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🦯</span><span><strong>Physiotherapy begins within 24 hours.</strong> A physiotherapist will visit your bedside on Day 1 to start ankle pumps and quad sets in bed, then assist you to stand and take first steps with a zimmer frame. This is not optional — early mobilisation prevents blood clots and begins the recovery process.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🩺</span><span><strong>Hospital stay is 3–5 days</strong> for a single knee replacement. Discharge happens when: you are walking with a frame, managing stairs, wound is clean, and pain is controlled on oral medication. You receive a discharge summary in English, your implant certificate, and a written physiotherapy programme.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏨</span><span><strong>Move to your nearby accommodation</strong> after hospital discharge. Your GAF coordinator arranges the transfer. Daily outpatient physiotherapy at the hospital continues from this point.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 Request your implant certificate before leaving the hospital. It specifies your implant brand, model, and component sizes. You will need this document for any future orthopaedic consultation anywhere in the world — including if you ever need a revision procedure.</div> </div> </div>

<div class="phase"> <div class="phase-header"> <div class="phase-num">7</div> <div> <div class="phase-timing">Weeks 2–3 in India</div> <div class="phase-title">Outpatient Physiotherapy and Clearance to Fly</div> </div> </div> <div class="phase-body"> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🏃</span><span><strong>Attend daily physiotherapy sessions.</strong> Each session is 45–60 minutes and targets increasing flexion, strengthening the quadriceps, and improving walking confidence. Your GAF coordinator arranges daily transport between your accommodation and the hospital physiotherapy department.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🩹</span><span><strong>Suture or staple removal at Day 10–14.</strong> This is a brief appointment — 15 minutes — at the hospital outpatient clinic. Confirm this appointment date before hospital discharge so it is already in your schedule.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">🩸</span><span><strong>Doppler ultrasound at Week 3.</strong> This scan checks both leg veins for deep vein thrombosis. It is the primary investigation that determines whether you are safe to fly. If the Doppler is clear and your surgeon is satisfied with wound healing and knee progress, your fitness-to-fly certificate is issued at this appointment.</span></div> <div class="phase-step"><span class="ps-ic">✈️</span><span><strong>Book your return flight only after Doppler clearance.</strong> Short-haul flights (under 4 hours) are typically cleared at 3 weeks. Long-haul flights (UK, Australia, USA) are typically cleared at 4–6 weeks depending on progress. If your Doppler shows any DVT, your flight must be delayed until treatment resolves the clot — another reason why flexible return tickets are essential.</span></div> <div class="phase-note">💡 Before flying: wear compression stockings for the entire flight. Book an aisle seat and extra legroom. Walk the cabin aisle every 30–40 minutes. Keep your operated leg in a slightly extended position when seated. Stay well hydrated — avoid alcohol on the flight.</div> </div> </div>

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<h2>Documents to Carry in Your Hand Luggage</h2>

<p>Never pack medical documents in hold luggage. Carry everything below in your hand baggage on every flight — both outward and return.</p>

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<div class="docs-section"> <div class="doc-category"> <div class="doc-cat-title">📁 Before Surgery — Outward Journey</div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Passport with valid e-Medical Visa and at least 6 months remaining validity</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Hospital invitation letter (Appointment Letter) — printed and digital copy</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>All X-rays on a CD or USB, plus printed reports</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>MRI reports and any other recent imaging</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Complete medication list with dosages — and enough supply of current medications for the full trip plus one week</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Insurance documents, policy number, and emergency contact for your insurer</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>GAF Healthcare coordinator contact details — name, WhatsApp number, and email</span></div> </div> <div class="doc-category"> <div class="doc-cat-title">📁 After Surgery — Return Journey</div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Implant certificate (issued at hospital discharge) — specifying brand, model, and component sizes</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Discharge summary in English — includes operation details, medications, and follow-up instructions</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Fitness-to-fly certificate from your surgeon — required by some airlines for post-surgical travel</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Physiotherapy home programme — written instructions from your Indian physiotherapist for your local physio to follow</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Operation report — may be needed if you consult an orthopaedic surgeon in your home country</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Doppler ultrasound report — confirms DVT-free status</span></div> <div class="doc-item"><span class="doc-ic">✅</span><span>Full medication supply for the rest of your anticoagulation course — fill in India before flying home</span></div> </div> </div>

<h2>What to Pack for Your India Trip</h2>

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<div class="pack-grid"> <div class="pack-card"> <div class="pack-title">🧥 Clothing</div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Loose, wide-leg trousers — easy to pull over a swollen knee and compression stockings</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Slip-on shoes or trainers with velcro — no laces; bending to tie shoes is painful early on</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Compression stockings — worn on flights and during early recovery</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Comfortable walking shoes for physiotherapy sessions</span></div> </div> <div class="pack-card"> <div class="pack-title">💊 Medical Supplies</div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Current medications — full supply for the trip plus one week extra</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Any allergy medications you regularly use</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Reading glasses if needed — for reviewing discharge documents</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>A small ice pack or reusable ice bag for applying to the knee post-session</span></div> </div> <div class="pack-card"> <div class="pack-title">📱 Technology</div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Smartphone with WhatsApp — your primary communication with GAF Healthcare and the hospital</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Power bank — hospital rooms often have limited charging points</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Universal travel adaptor — India uses Type D and C plugs</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Laptop or tablet — for reading, video calls home, and reviewing documents during recovery</span></div> </div> <div class="pack-card"> <div class="pack-title">🛡️ Practical Items</div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Travel insurance documents — medical travel insurance, not standard travel insurance</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Enough local currency (Indian Rupees) for small expenses — $100–$150 equivalent is sufficient</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Debit or credit card with low foreign transaction fees</span></div> <div class="pack-item"><span>✓</span><span>Small backpack for physiotherapy sessions — large suitcases are impractical once you are using a walking aid</span></div> </div> </div>

<h2>15 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Knee Replacement in India</h2>

<p>Your pre-operative consultation with your surgeon is the most important conversation of the entire trip. Here are the questions worth asking — and the answers worth listening to carefully.</p>

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<div class="questions"> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">1.</span><span>Which implant brand and model will you use, and why is this the right choice for my anatomy and age?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">2.</span><span>How many total knee replacements have you personally performed — and how many in the last 12 months?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">3.</span><span>Are you recommending conventional or robotic surgery for me, and what is the clinical reason?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">4.</span><span>What is your personal infection rate for knee replacement surgery?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">5.</span><span>Is my case straightforward, or is there a specific complexity you are anticipating?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">6.</span><span>What anaesthesia will be used, and will I have a nerve block for post-operative pain control?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">7.</span><span>What are the most likely complications for my specific case, and how would each be managed?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">8.</span><span>When can I expect to start walking, and what will the physiotherapy programme look like in hospital?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">9.</span><span>What degree of flexion should I expect at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">10.</span><span>When will you clear me to fly home — and what determines that decision?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">11.</span><span>What activities will I be able to return to — and what should I permanently avoid?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">12.</span><span>What are the signs of infection or DVT I should watch for after flying home?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">13.</span><span>How do I reach you or your team if I have a concern after returning home?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">14.</span><span>What should I tell the orthopaedic surgeon in my home country at the 6-week follow-up?</span></div> <div class="q-item"><span class="q-ic">15.</span><span>What does my implant certificate say, and is a copy going into my permanent medical record?</span></div> </div>

<div class="cta"> <h3>Ready to Start Planning?</h3> <p>Send your X-rays and medical reports. We review your case, recommend the right hospital, coordinate your visa, accommodation, and daily physiotherapy transfer — and provide 3 months of post-operative support after you return home. Response within <strong>24 hours</strong>. No fees.</p> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/treatments/total-knee-replacement" class="cta-btn">Start My Planning Process →</a><br> <a href="https://wa.me/919044346292?text=Hello%2C%20I%20want%20to%20plan%20knee%20replacement%20in%20India%20and%20need%20help" class="wa-btn" style="margin-top:12px; display:inline-flex;" target="_blank"> <svg width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="#fff"><path d="M17.472 14.382c-.297-.149-1.758-.867-2.03-.967-.273-.099-.471-.148-.67.15-.197.297-.767.966-.94 1.164-.173.199-.347.223-.644.075-.297-.15-1.255-.463-2.39-1.475-.883-.788-1.48-1.761-1.653-2.059-.173-.297-.018-.458.13-.606.134-.133.298-.347.446-.52.149-.174.198-.298.298-.497.099-.198.os-.371-.025-.52-.075-.149-.669-1.612-.916-2.207-.242-.579-.487-.5-.669-.51-.173-.008-.371-.01-.57-.01-.198 0-.52.074-.792.372-.272.297-1.04 1.016-1.04 2.479 0 1.462 1.065 2.875 1.213 3.074.149.198 2.096 3.2 5.077 4.487.709.306 1.262.489 1.694.625.712.227 1.36.195 1.871.118.571-.085 1.758-.719 2.006-1.413.248-.694.248-1.289.173-1.413-.074-.124-.272-.198-.57-.347m-5.421 7.403h-.004a9.87 9.87 0 01-5.031-1.378l-.361-.214-3.741.982.998-3.648-.235-.374a9.86 9.86 0 01-1.51-5.26c.001-5.45 4.436-9.884 9.888-9.884 2.64 0 5.122 1.03 6.988 2.898a9.825 9.825 0 012.893 6.994c-.003 5.45-4.437 9.884-9.885 9.884m8.413-18.297A11.815 11.815 0 0012.05 0C5.495 0 .16 5.335.157 11.892c0 2.096.547 4.142 1.588 5.945L.057 24l6.305-1.654a11.882 11.882 0 005.683 1.448h.005c6.554 0 11.89-5.335 11.893-11.893a11.821 11.821 0 00-3.48-8.413z"/></svg> WhatsApp +91 90443 46292 </a> </div>

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<div class="faq"> <div class="fq"> <div class="fq-q">How quickly can I travel to India after deciding to have surgery?</div> <div class="fq-a">The minimum realistic timeline from first contact to surgery day is 4–6 weeks — allowing for report review (24 hours), hospital confirmation and invitation letter (2–3 days), visa processing (5–12 working days), flight booking, and pre-operative preparation. If your case is urgent, GAF Healthcare can prioritise each step to compress this timeline. If you are not urgent, 6–8 weeks gives comfortable buffer at each stage.</div> </div> <div class="fq"> <div class="fq-q">Do I need to speak Hindi or any Indian language?</div> <div class="fq-a">No. All four major hospitals — <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/apollo-hospitals-new-delhi">Apollo</a>, <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/fortis-memorial-research-institute-gurgaon">Fortis</a>, <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/medanta-the-medicity-gurgaon">Medanta</a>, and <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/hospitals/max-super-speciality-hospital-saket">Max</a> operate entirely in English for international patients. Surgical consultations, discharge summaries, physiotherapy instructions, and all medical documents are provided in English. GAF Healthcare's coordinating team communicates in Arabic, English, Russian, and French. For patients whose primary language is none of these, we arrange interpretation where needed.</div> </div> <div class="fq"> <div class="fq-q">What if my surgery is delayed or I need to stay longer than planned?</div> <div class="fq-a">This is why flexible tickets and pre-planned accommodation arrangements matter. If surgery is delayed by a pre-operative finding — an abnormal blood result, an ECG change, or an infection — the surgical date moves but your accommodation and support structure remains in place. If recovery takes longer than expected before flight clearance, your return ticket is changed and GAF Healthcare extends your accommodation and physiotherapy bookings. These situations are uncommon but not rare, and the right preparation makes them manageable rather than stressful.</div> </div> <div class="fq"> <div class="fq-q">Should I travel alone or with a companion?</div> <div class="fq-a">A companion is strongly recommended — not required, but strongly recommended. In the first 48 hours after surgery, having someone present to communicate with nurses, manage personal items, and provide reassurance makes a significant difference to the patient's experience. After discharge, a companion can assist with transport to physiotherapy, help with daily tasks in the hotel room, and provide the kind of support that cannot be provided by a coordinator. If travelling alone is unavoidable, GAF Healthcare's on-ground team provides additional check-ins and support for solo patients.</div> </div> </div>

<h2>Related Guides</h2> <div class="related-grid"> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/treatments/total-knee-replacement" class="rel-card"> <div class="rel-label">Treatment Guide</div> <div class="rel-title">Total Knee Replacement — Complete Patient Guide</div> </a> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/resources/blog/tkr-recovery-timeline-india" class="rel-card"> <div class="rel-label">Recovery Guide</div> <div class="rel-title">TKR Recovery Timeline — Week-by-Week for Medical Tourists</div> </a> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/resources/blog/total-knee-replacement-cost-india" class="rel-card"> <div class="rel-label">Cost Guide</div> <div class="rel-title">Knee Replacement Cost in India 2026 — City-Wise</div> </a> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/resources/blog/knee-replacement-delhi-india" class="rel-card"> <div class="rel-label">Delhi Guide</div> <div class="rel-title">Knee Replacement in Delhi — Hospitals, Costs & Trip Plan</div> </a> </div>

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<div class="cta"> <h3>Everything Coordinated. Nothing Left to Chance.</h3> <p>GAF Healthcare manages your entire trip — hospital match, visa invitation letter, airport transfer, accommodation, daily physiotherapy transport, and 3 months of remote post-operative support. Send your reports and let us plan it. Response within <strong>24 hours</strong>. No fees, no obligation.</p> <a href="https://gafhealthcare.in/treatments/total-knee-replacement" class="cta-btn">Start My Planning →</a> </div>

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