In June 2026, around 4 in 10 people waiting for orthopaedic treatment in England, which includes knee and hip replacements, had waited longer than the NHS’s 18-week standard. Waits vary a lot between hospitals. You have three main options: ask the NHS for a shorter wait, pay privately in the UK, or have surgery in India for a fraction of the UK private price.
Key points
- NHS waiting lists in England held about 829,600 orthopaedic cases in June 2026.
- If you have waited more than 18 weeks, you can ask to be treated at another NHS hospital.
- A private knee replacement in the UK costs around £17,445. In India it costs from about £5,000.
- MedPanda arranges everything for surgery in India, from your first call to aftercare at home.
Private surgery costs at a glance
About 70% less than a UK private hospital
| Treatment | UK private price | India, with MedPanda | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee replacement (one knee) | £17,445 | £5,000 | £12,445 (71%) |
| Hip replacement (one hip) | £16,135 | £5,000 | £11,135 (69%) |
UK: guide prices from Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital, October 2026. India: indicative starting prices, October 2026. Savings compare hospital costs only; flights and a stay of at least 10 days after surgery are extra. The India figures are indicative; the hospital confirms the final price after reviewing your medical records. UK private prices vary between hospitals and areas.
How long is the NHS wait right now?
- About 829,600 cases were waiting for trauma and orthopaedic treatment in England in June 2026.
- 60.9% had waited less than 18 weeks. The NHS standard is 92%.
- You can check the wait at your local hospital on My Planned Care or in the NHS App.
Option 1: ask the NHS for a shorter wait
In England you have the right to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral for non-urgent care. If you have waited longer, you can ask your hospital or your local integrated care board to offer another hospital that could treat you sooner. This is free, so it is worth asking first.
Option 2: pay for private surgery in the UK
Private hospitals publish guide prices. Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital listed £17,445 for a knee replacement and £16,135 for a hip replacement in October 2026, including the first consultation, the operation and care after discharge.
Option 3: surgery in India, with everything arranged
Some UK patients choose a partner hospital in India, where a knee or hip replacement costs from about £5,000. UK Government advice is to stay at least 10 days after surgery under general anaesthetic before flying home, and your surgeon tells you when you are fit to fly. UK passport holders can apply online for India’s e-Medical visa, and a family member can travel with you.
Partner hospitals that list knee and hip replacement on their own websites include:
- Aster Medcity, Kochi
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
- Apollo Adlux Hospital, Kochi
- Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode
- Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode
- Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi
How it works with MedPanda
- Free consultation. Tell us which joint and how long you have been waiting.
- Records reviewed by orthopaedic surgeons at partner hospitals.
- Written quote and date, so you know the cost and when.
- Visa, flights and a place to stay arranged around your surgery, including airport pick-up. A family member can travel with you.
- Surgery and recovery in India. Most people leave hospital 1 to 4 days after surgery, then recover nearby until fit to fly.
- Lifetime Health Passport. All your scans, reports and discharge papers are kept together in one place, ready for your GP.
- Home with a plan. Your records go to your GP, and we stay in touch while you recover.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for a knee replacement?
It depends on your hospital. In June 2026, 60.9% of people waiting for orthopaedic care in England had waited less than 18 weeks. Check your hospital’s wait on My Planned Care or the NHS App.
How long is the NHS waiting list for a hip replacement?
Hip replacements are counted in the same orthopaedic figures, so the wait also depends on your hospital. Ask your hospital, or check My Planned Care.
Can I ask to be moved to a hospital with a shorter wait?
Yes. If you have waited more than 18 weeks, you can ask your hospital or integrated care board to offer other hospitals that could see you sooner.
How much does a knee replacement cost in India?
From about £5,000 for one knee (indicative price, October 2026). The hospital confirms the final price after reviewing your medical records. Flights and your stay are extra.
How long do I need to stay in India?
UK Government advice is at least 10 days after surgery under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon decides when you are fit to fly.
Tired of waiting? Talk to us
Tell us which joint and how long you have been waiting, and we’ll explain your options. Free, with no pressure.
Checked by Dr Sreeraj K.V (MBBS, DNB), Reg. No. 93547, on 10 October 2026.
MedPanda is a care-coordination service. We don’t diagnose or give medical advice. Your treating doctor decides what treatment, if any, is right for you.
Sources
- NHS England: Referral to Treatment statistical press notice, June 2026 data (13 August 2026)
- NHS: Guide to NHS waiting times in England; The NHS Constitution for England
- My Planned Care (NHS); NHS App help: viewing waiting lists
- Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital: knee replacement and hip replacement guide prices (October 2026)
- NHS: Knee replacement, recovery; NHS: Hip replacement, recovery
- Travel Aware (UK Government): Surgery abroad
- Government of India: e-Visa (e-Medical visa)
