Everything You Need to Know About Orthopedics in Mexico
Quick Answer:
Orthopedic surgeries such as knee and hip replacement in Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Cancun often cost 30–70% less than in the U.S., but real prices vary. Safety depends on choosing board-certified surgeons, accredited hospitals and planning travel, rehab and records carefully.
Updated December 2025
What does the evidence say about orthopedic medical tourism in Mexico?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that millions of U.S. residents travel abroad for medical care every year, with Mexico among the most common destinations. Orthopedic procedures (joint replacement, spine, sports injuries) are repeatedly listed among key surgery types sought by medical tourists.
Cost-comparison guides consistently show that knee and hip replacements in Mexico are dramatically less expensive than in the U.S. or private Canadian settings, with savings often in the 50–70% range depending on city and clinic, as highlighted by sources such as PlacidWay, Doc Velez and MedicalTourismPackages.
At the same time, CDC travel guidance warns that medical tourism is not risk-free: quality and infection control vary across facilities and some patients experience complications requiring treatment back home, as discussed in the CDC Yellow Book chapter on medical tourism.
Mexico has formal health regulation through COFEPRIS, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk, which oversees health services and medical products under the General Health Law. Many leading hospitals also pursue Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, the global “Gold Seal” for patient safety and quality.
In short, Mexico is a major orthopedic destination with both high-quality and lower-quality options. The real issue is selection and planning, not the country itself.
Which orthopedic procedures do medical tourists most often seek in Mexico?
Based on orthopedic-focused medical-tourism guides and clinic listings, the most common procedures international patients seek in Mexico are:
- Total knee replacement (TKR) and partial knee replacement.
- Total hip replacement, hip resurfacing and revision hip surgery.
- Shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement).
- Arthroscopic sports procedures (ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, shoulder arthroscopy).
- Selected spine surgeries (for example, decompression and fusion).
Clinics in CDMX, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Cancun highlight:
- Use of implants from international brands.
- Minimally invasive or advanced techniques in some centers.
- “All-inclusive” packages covering pre-op tests, hospital stay, surgery and early rehab.
The pattern across these cities is similar: high-demand joint and sports surgeries marketed mostly to U.S. and Canadian patients dealing with high costs, long wait times or both at home.
How much does orthopedic surgery cost in Mexico vs the U.S.?
National cost snapshot (illustrative ranges)
Recent comparative guides for orthopedic surgery show the following approximate ranges, drawing on sources like Medical Tourism Co, MedicalTourismPackages and TheHipHiker.
| Procedure (one side) | Typical Mexico range (USD)* | Typical U.S. range (USD)* |
|---|---|---|
| Total knee replacement (TKR) | ≈ $7,000–$18,000 | ≈ $30,000–$70,000+ |
| Partial knee replacement | ≈ $6,000–$12,000 | ≈ $20,000–$40,000 |
| Hip replacement (unilateral) | ≈ $9,000–$16,500 | ≈ $40,000–$60,000+ |
| Rotator cuff repair | ≈ $3,500–$10,000 | ≈ $18,000–$35,000 |
| ACL reconstruction | ≈ $4,000–$8,000 | ≈ $20,000–$25,000+ |
| Selected spinal fusion | ≈ $12,000–$20,000 | ≈ $50,000–$100,000+ |
*These are approximate ranges from public cost guides and medical-tourism platforms, not quotes from any specific clinic. Real prices depend on:
- City and hospital.
- Surgeon’s seniority.
- Implant brand and type.
- Length of stay and rehab.
- Whether the package includes travel and hotel.
Patients should always get a written, itemized quote before committing.
How do CDMX, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Cancun compare for orthopedic surgery?
Mexico City (CDMX): major hospitals and accreditation
Role: CDMX hosts some of Mexico’s most prominent hospitals, including Médica Sur, a large center known for orthopedics and trauma care, JCI accreditation and membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
Price tendency: Procedures like hip and knee replacement typically sit in the mid to upper end of the Mexican price range, reflecting high-end facilities and big-city costs (for example, many guides quote TKR or hip replacement in the low-to-mid teens in USD).
Best suited for patients who: Prefer large, multi-specialty hospitals with strong accreditation and value access to subspecialists and advanced diagnostics over the absolute lowest price.
Tijuana: border-city access and big cost gaps vs U.S.
Role: Tijuana is one of the busiest medical-tourism gateways for U.S. patients due to its proximity to San Diego and high procedure volumes.
Costs: Total knee replacement in Tijuana is often listed around $7,000–$12,000, versus $30,000–$50,000+ in the U.S., according to Medical Tourism Co.
Pros patients like:
- Short flight or drive from many U.S. cities.
- Border clinics familiar with U.S. patients and English.
- Packages that bundle surgery, hospital and hotel.
Risks to watch:
Investigative reporting on border medical tourism (for example, bariatric and cosmetic surgery in Tijuana) has documented serious complications and even deaths linked to poorly regulated clinics, expired credentials and weak follow-up, as described by outlets such as El País. Orthopedics is less commonly in the news than cosmetic or bariatric surgery, but the underlying issue is similar: some clinics invest heavily in marketing while skimping on regulation and quality. Patients considering Tijuana should be especially rigorous about verifying credentials, accreditation and complication policies.
Guadalajara: joint-replacement and sports-medicine hub
Role: Guadalajara is a major urban medical center and is frequently promoted as a joint-replacement and sports-medicine hub with dedicated hip and knee programs.
Costs: Hip replacement in Guadalajara is often quoted around $9,500–$16,500, according to guides such as PlacidWay and Health-Tourism.com. Knee replacements generally fall into a similar band as other major Mexican cities, with packages in the low-to-mid tens of thousands of USD—still significantly less than typical U.S. prices.
Best for: Patients wanting a big-city environment with specialized orthopedic centers and established medical-tourism infrastructure, and those comfortable with a slightly longer flight than Tijuana in exchange for a less border-driven environment.
Cancun: resort setting plus ortho centers
Role: Cancun is widely marketed for orthopedics plus beach recovery, combining tourism infrastructure with hospitals that cater to international patients.
Costs: Hip replacement in Cancun is often listed in the $9,000–$16,000 range, with prices reflecting both resort location and more comprehensive packages, according to sources such as MedicalTourismPackages. Knee-replacement packages similarly sit in the mid-range for Mexico, with some clinics bundling hotel and transfers.
Appeals to: Patients who want to combine surgery with vacation-style surroundings and those who value structured packages with airport pickup, lodging and early rehab. The tradeoff is that you must ensure hospital quality and rehab planning are not overshadowed by the vacation framing.
Is orthopedic surgery in Mexico safe?
Orthopedic procedures like knee and hip replacement are well-standardized globally. As the CDC and travel-medicine experts emphasize, safety in medical tourism depends less on the country itself and more on facility standards, surgeon training and travel or recovery planning.
Key safety signals to look for
Accredited hospitals. JCI accreditation is a strong global marker of hospital-wide quality and patient-safety systems. Hospitals like Médica Sur in CDMX highlight JCI accreditation and affiliation with the Mayo Clinic Care Network, as outlined on the Joint Commission International directory.
Regulation by COFEPRIS. COFEPRIS regulates health facilities and health-related products under Mexico’s General Health Law, with a mandate to protect the population from health risks.
Board-certified orthopedic surgeons. Many guides recommend confirming certification through Mexico’s orthopedic boards and, where relevant, international training (for example, U.S. or European fellowships).
Transparent data and policies. Clear explanation of infection rates, revision rates, thrombosis-prevention protocols and rehab planning is essential for major joint surgery.
Travel, blood clots and timing
Orthopedic surgery itself increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Long-distance travel adds another layer. The CDC’s guidance on blood clots and travel notes that long periods of immobility during travel (typically more than four hours) can increase the chance of developing DVT. Resources from Hospital for Special Surgery and NICE similarly highlight the interaction between surgery and travel.
For orthopedic tourists, that means planning to stay in Mexico long enough after surgery for initial recovery and medical clearance before flying home, following the clinic’s DVT-prevention plan (medications, compression, walking) and avoiding same-week long-haul flights after joint replacement unless clearly cleared by the surgeon.
How can you verify orthopedic surgeons and clinics in Mexico?
Use this structured approach before you decide:
1. Validate hospital and clinic accreditation
- Search for the hospital in the JCI list of accredited organizations.
- Ask the clinic for documentation of COFEPRIS licensing and any national quality certifications.
2. Confirm surgeon credentials and volume
Ask the surgeon, in writing if possible:
- Are you board-certified in orthopedics in Mexico?
- Where did you complete your residency and any fellowships?
- How many of my specific procedure (for example, TKR, THR, ACL reconstruction) do you perform per year?
- What are your revision and infection rates for this procedure?
Guides on orthopedic tourism stress that volume and specialization matter: surgeons who routinely perform the same operation tend to have more predictable outcomes.
3. Clarify perioperative and rehab plans
For major joint surgery, ask:
- How many days will I stay in the hospital?
- What is your pain-management and DVT-prevention protocol?
- What kind of physical therapy is included before discharge?
- How will rehab work once I am back home (referral, plan, documentation)?
4. Get a detailed, written financial plan
- Request an itemized quote: surgeon fee, anesthesia, hospital stay, implant, imaging, labs, physical therapy and any “extras” (for example, hotel or airport transfers).
- Check what happens if the surgery is more complex than expected (for example, implant change or ICU stay).
- Clarify refund and rescheduling policies.
Coordinating all of this via a structured tool (instead of scattered emails and WhatsApp chats) reduces the chance of misunderstandings.
How does a coordination platform like heva help orthopedic patients going to Mexico?
Major orthopedic surgery abroad is not just a medical event; it is a logistics and information project: imaging, lab results, clearances, travel, surgery, rehab and financials all need to line up.
heva is an AI-native care coordination platform (not a hospital or surgeon) built for cross-border care. For orthopedic patients considering Mexico, a platform like heva can help:
- Centralize documentation: imaging reports, MRIs, lab results, pre-op clearances, consents, surgical plans and discharge summaries in one secure place.
- Structure timelines: keep a clear sequence for pre-op tests, arrival date, surgery, early rehab and safe-fit-to-fly clearance.
- Support multilingual communication: bridging language gaps between U.S. or Canadian patients and Mexican teams, especially around instructions and post-op questions.
- Organize payments and receipts: making it easier to see what you have paid, what is included and what remains instead of hunting through multiple channels.
This does not guarantee outcomes or replace orthopedic expertise, but it reduces the organizational risk that often causes stress and errors in cross-border surgery journeys. You can learn more at heva for patients, heva for providers and the heva about page.
Safety table: safer vs riskier orthopedic-surgery tourism scenarios
| Domain | Lower-risk behavior | Higher-risk behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | Board-certified orthopedist; high case volume in your specific procedure. | Unclear training; vague bio; no verifiable board or hospital affiliation. |
| Facility | JCI-accredited or well-documented hospital; COFEPRIS-compliant. | Small clinic with limited OR capacity; no clear accreditation or infection policy. |
| Procedure choice | Single major joint procedure; realistic expectations. | Multiple big joints or spine surgeries bundled to “save money” in one trip. |
| Travel timing | Staying in Mexico until cleared to fly; gradual mobilization post-op. | Flying long-haul within days of joint replacement without structured DVT prevention. |
| Rehab | Pre-scheduled PT at home; written handoff from Mexican team to local therapist. | “Figure it out when you get back”; no clear rehab plan. |
| Documentation | Using a system like heva to store images, consents, instructions and doctor notes. | Relying on memory, verbal instructions and scattered messages. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is orthopedic surgery in Mexico than in the U.S.?
Cost comparisons suggest that major joint procedures like knee and hip replacement in Mexico are often 30–70% less than in the U.S. Depending on the city and package, total knee replacement might be around $7,000–$18,000 in Mexico vs $30,000–$70,000+ in the U.S., and hip replacement about $9,000–$16,500 vs $40,000–$60,000+.
Which Mexican cities are best for orthopedic surgery: CDMX, Tijuana, Guadalajara or Cancun?
All four cities host orthopedic centers serving international patients. CDMX stands out for large JCI-accredited hospitals like Médica Sur; Tijuana offers border access and large cost gaps vs U.S. prices; Guadalajara promotes joint-replacement “center of excellence” programs; Cancun combines orthopedic care with resort-style recovery packages. The “best” choice depends on your priorities: infrastructure, proximity or setting.
Is orthopedic medical tourism to Mexico safe?
It can be comparably safe to care in high-income countries when patients choose board-certified surgeons working in well-regulated, accredited hospitals and follow proper travel and rehab guidance. CDC and travel-medicine sources emphasize that risk increases when patients prioritize the lowest price over quality, rush travel after surgery or use poorly regulated clinics.
How long should I stay in Mexico after a knee or hip replacement before flying home?
There is no one-size rule, but travel-medicine and thrombosis resources highlight that recent surgery plus long flights raises DVT and PE risk and some guidelines suggest delaying long-haul travel after major operations when possible. Many surgeons recommend staying at least 7–14 days or more for early recovery and clearance, depending on your health and procedure complexity. Always follow your surgeon’s specific advice.
Does using heva mean my orthopedic surgery in Mexico will be complication-free?
No platform can eliminate medical risk or guarantee an outcome. heva helps by reducing organizational and communication friction—centralizing records, timelines, instructions and payments—especially when you are coordinating between a Mexican orthopedic team and your doctors at home. Medical decisions and outcomes still depend on you and your surgical team.
Disclaimers
Medical Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about medical tourism and pricing. It is not medical advice. heva is a healthcare coordination platform connecting patients with providers—we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All medical and travel decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.
Safety Information: Safety recommendations are based on general best practices and expert guidelines. Individual circumstances may require additional precautions. Patients should continue to conduct their own research and verification of providers and facilities. heva facilitates connections but does not guarantee clinical results or safety outcomes.
Insurance Information: Insurance recommendations are general guidance only. Specific coverage needs vary by individual circumstances and procedures. Patients should consult with insurance professionals to determine appropriate coverage levels and providers.
International Healthcare: International medical care involves inherent risks and additional considerations including emergency protocols, legal differences, and care coordination. Patients should thoroughly research all aspects and maintain realistic expectations about cross-border healthcare and potential complications.